Every sport’s world class programme will operate slightly differently, due to the unique and differing qualities of the sport. As a result, every ‘team’ that sits behind a WCP may look different. Typically, however, you may find some of the following roles working with a WCP:
• Performance Director (NGB)
• Performance Lifestyle Advisor (UKSI)
• Physio (NGB/UKSI)
• Physiologist
• Strength & conditioning coach (UKSI)
• Doctor/Medical Officer (NGB/UKSI)
• Coaching Team (NGB/UKSI)
• Psychologist (NGB/UKSI)
Performance Director (NGB) - They closely monitor core aspects of the programme such as training and competition activity, delivery of athlete support, and development of team culture and the daily training environment, ensuring that key objectives are being met and having the desired impact.
Head of Safeguarding (NGB) - Provides advice and guidance on safeguarding concerns and disclosures, poor practice, and DBS checks. Leads the team and the strategic direction, and provides guidance on safeguarding, governance, and practice.
Performance Lifestyle (UKSI) - Performance Lifestyle works with a person first approach to provide an individual coaching and mentoring service to all WCP athletes. Their aim is to support athlete well-being and to encourage and facilitate their personal and professional development alongside their competitive sporting careers as they move on to, through and beyond the WCP.
Athlete Support Manager (BEAA) - The Athlete support team at the BEAA is comprised of experts from various backgrounds, each able to provide independent and confidential guidance.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) - Medical professional to deal with all medical sporting needs. they are different with every sport – Some are employed by the NGB, some from UKSI and some have a mixture of both.
Physio (UKSI) - The role of the sports physiotherapist is to provide treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and to provide support for performance through injury prevention, maintenance, and recovery interventions. They are usually employed by UKSI.
Sport Psychologist - Helps athletes to deal with nerves, anxiety, self-confidence, concentration, coping with injuries and motivation. They may also set up activities to improve team and individual performances. They may be employed by the NGB or UKSI.
Strength and Conditioning (UKSI) - An S&C coach plans, delivers, and reviews the physical and physiological preparation of athletes aligned to specific sports performance outcomes. They are usually employed by UKSI.
Nutritionist (UKSI) - A sports nutritionist provides nutritional education and services to athletes. They consult with athletes to help them develop optimal eating habits. Nutritionists design menus, recommend vitamins and supplements, and provide nutritional advice for athletes. The are usually employed by UKSI.
Performance analyst - Performance Analysis is a specialised discipline that provides athletes and coaches with objective information that helps them understand performance. This process is underpinned by systematic observation, which provides valid, reliable, and detailed information relating to performance.
Physiologist - A sports physiologist seeks to understand the physiological demands of a sporting performance, which inform what characteristics an athlete should have to be successful competing at the highest level. The physiologist can measure how an athlete performs in tests designed to accurately measure these characteristics, which in turn enables the practitioner to advise coaches and athletes about training and competition, with objectivity and individuality.
Head coaches/Coaches/Assistant coaches - Assist athletes in developing to their full potential. They are responsible for training athletes in a sport by analysing their performances, instructing in relevant skills and by providing encouragement.
Biomechanical engineer - The primary goals of the biomechanical engineer are to improve athletic performance and to reduce the risk of injury by designing sports equipment, building sports facilities, analysing athlete performance, developing performance and safety standards, and developing coaching and training tools.
Data analyst - They are responsible for supporting the team behind the scenes, and providing analytical support to the coaching staff before, during, and after the game. They help break down the strengths and weaknesses of both their teams and the opposition.
R & I team - The research & innovation team is closely aligned with the UKSI performance teams and works with them to help practitioners address specific performance issues. The ambitious research and development programme, looking at innovation in the areas of training science, performance medicine, equipment, and coaching technologies, aims to achieve the marginal improvements that can be the difference between winning and losing a medal.
It can get a little tricky keeping up with all the acronyms in high-performance sport. Keep track of them all below.
AMS – Athlete Medical Scheme
Medical insurance scheme which covers the costs of healthcare for funded athletes who are members of Olympic and Paralympic sports’ World Class Programmes.
APA – Athlete Performance Award
National Lottery-funded grant aimed to enable athletes to pursue medal success in the Olympic or Paralympic Games and in other major championship events.
BEAA – British Elite Athlete Association
The independent athlete representative body, providing support, representation, and community. Responsible for giving you confidential guidance and ensuring you’re represented in high-performance system decisions.
BOA – British Olympic Association
National Olympic Committee for the United Kingdom.
BPA – British Paralympic Association
National Paralympic Committee for the United Kingdom.
CMO – Chief Medical Officer
Medical professional to deal with all medical sporting needs.
HPS – High Performance System
All the organisations and funding systems in place to support Olympic and Paralympics sport in the UK.
IF – International Federation
IFs establish the rules that govern their sport and ensure they are applied. They are responsible for the technical aspects of their sport at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
IOC – International Olympic Committee
Serves as the overarching governing body of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement.
NGB – National Governing Body
An organisation that governs and administers a sport on a national basis.
NOC – National Olympic Committee
Is the British Olympic and Paralympic decision and policy making body.
PAA – Performance Athlete Agreement
Sets out requirements, expectations, and obligations of athletes and their National Governing Body on all matters relating to participation in the World Class Performance Programme.
PD – Performance Director
Closely monitor core aspects of the programme such as training and competition activity, delivery of athlete support, and development of team culture and the daily training environment.
PDA – Personal Development Award
Financial award to support WCP athletes, continue to develop as a person as well as a performer while on the WCP.
PL – Performance Lifestyle
Every funded current and transitioning athlete on the WCP is entitled to receive Performance Lifestyle support – a practitioner that provides holistic support to athletes.
PSP – Performance Support Personal
All practitioners that work within the WCP or high-performance system.
S&C – Strength and Conditioning
Coach who plans, delivers, and reviews the physical and physiological preparation of athletes aligned to specific sports performance outcomes.
SRUK – Sport Resolutions UK
Independent, not-for-profit, dispute resolution service for sport. It operates globally and offers arbitration, mediation, tribunal, investigation services among others.
TMA – Team Membership Agreement or Athlete Agreement
Sets out requirements, expectations, and obligations of athletes and their National Governing Body.
UKSI– UK Sports Institute
The largest single provider of science, medicine, technology, data, and engineering services within the sport sector to Olympic and Paralympic sports in the UK.
WCP – World Class Programme
Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary support for athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS) is a medical insurance scheme which covers the costs of healthcare for funded athletes who are members of Olympic and Paralympic sports’ World Class Programmes.
National Governing Bodies – funded or unfunded – may also purchase places on the AMS at a cost agreed by UK Sport to provide medical cover to athletes not on a World Class Programme.
The aim of the AMS is to drive an efficient and effective medical scheme to develop athlete health and wellbeing. UK Sport pays an annual premium to cover the costs of claims and, subject to approval and conditions of cover, the athlete receives healthcare. It is a free service to athletes and no costs are recharged to their governing bodies.
When your funding comes to an end you are covered for three months for existing concerns as part of your transition support.
FAQs below or you can contact the BEAA's support team for more information.
Cover is usually provided by Bupa.
Athletes should have access to cover through their team doctor or physio. Any communication that BUPA have will go directly to you, so ensure your medical staff at your sport are up to date with the latest information.
You will be given a booklet in your welcome pack that is your Bupa membership guide. The typical cover is for muscles, bones and joints as well as mental health. Your programme medical staff will be able to provide further details.
Cover for pre-existing conditions lasts for three months after you have left the World Class Programme. No new injuries can be covered in this time.
Non-sporting medical issues can be covered if they have an effect directly on your sporting training or performance.