Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
World Aquatics has opened applications for its Athlete Career Transition Mentorship Programme, designed to help athletes navigate the shift from elite sport to professional life. The programme pairs current athletes with former elite athletes as mentors, offering support, perspective, and valuable connections based on their own transition experiences.
The core of the programme is a personalized one-on-one mentoring relationship, where mentees set the agenda and schedule monthly online sessions. A minimum of six meetings are held to facilitate reflection and progress over time. In addition to mentoring, participants join four structured group workshops across nine months, led by external experts.
The workshops cover four pillars: understanding identity beyond sport and translating athletic experience into professional skills; managing emotional and practical aspects of transition; developing practical career tools including CV writing, interview preparation, and the use of AI; and establishing career strategies, networking, and transition planning. By the end, participants are expected to have a clearer sense of self beyond athletics, a tailored CV, enhanced interview techniques, and a transition plan reflecting their strengths and timeline.
Programme graduates receive a World Aquatics Certificate and a personal recommendation letter for job applications and interviews. All participants gain access to a private World Aquatics alumni network, providing ongoing support from mentors, mentees, and industry contacts.
Up to 30 athletes will be selected, ensuring balanced gender and sport representation. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and currently competing at an elite level.