The BEAA first began to act on athletes’ behalf regarding the current cost of living crisis in April 2022 when, after consulting with UK Sport, we surveyed our members on the issue. Our aim was to provide a clear picture of the cost of living impact on athletes at all levels of the funding scale.

We were able to share our findings with UK Sport to ensure key stakeholders had the evidence they require to consider further support for athletes. We continue to engage on this issue with decision makers.

We believe that a thorough review of athlete funding is needed to ensure that the most talented athletes are able to dedicate themselves to training to represent Great Britain, regardless of background.

We will sustain our efforts to improve financial support for athletes and can provide advice to those who may be struggling, including those who face difficulty being approved for a mortgage due to their APA.

Support pathway

So, what happens when you reach out to the BEAA about finances? Most importantly, we’ll always try to help.

That might be direct, end-to-end support with your issue through a dedicated Athlete Support Manager, or signposting to someone else who can help you.

We’ll always be there for our members. Find out what happens when you contact us below.

1. You contact the BEAA for support, or are referred with consent by your NGB.
2. One of our Athlete Support Managers will respond, usually via email, within one working day.
3. We will arrange a time to speak to you over the phone to understand your request in your words and ensure we can provide the best support possible.
4. If we can support you, we ask you to sign a service-level agreement, and provide support or signposting tailored to your needs.
5. This support may be advice for those struggling financially or to elevate your concerns with decision makers.