The UK Sports Institute (formerly the English Institute of Sport) provides outstanding support to athletes and sports through expert practitioners and world-leading support services. The UKSI is the largest single provider of science, medicine, technology, data and engineering services within the sport sector to Olympic and Paralympic sports in the UK, contributing to over 1,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals since inception in 2002.
Team GB is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team. Every two years the team represents Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the summer or winter Olympic Games. The team is selected by the British Olympic Association, in conjunction with the governing bodies, from the best sportsmen and women to compete in 33 summer and seven winter Olympic sports at the greatest sporting event in the world.
The sportsmen and women who are selected to participate at the Olympic Games become members of the Great Britain Olympic Team, Team GB. There is only one Olympic team from Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Team GB.
There is not an Olympic swimming team or Olympic rowing team. The individual sports join to become Team GB, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team.
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)
The World Class Programme (WCP) was launched by UK Sport in 1997 in a bid to advance Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Membership of a WCP indicates that you are on a pathway with the aim of medalling at the Olympic or Paralympic games. There is a team of multi-agency and multi-disciplinary support for every athlete on a World Class Programme.
Every sport is unique, so a hockey player or a curler’s experience of the WCP will look different. However, certain elements will remain the same.
• If you are on a WCP, it is possible you will receive financial support from UK Sport in the form of an Athlete Performance Award.
• Your National Governing Body will aim to provide you with all the support you require to achieve your potential. This may involve support from the UK Sports Institute.
• This support may take the form of coaches, physios, physiologists, nutritionists, psychologists or even equipment, travel or accommodation.
• You will have access to independent support from the BEAA.