National Support Programme for Harnessing Talent Performers

Click here to view a timetable of training, networking and personal development events taking place July - December 2010 (this timetable will be updated on a regular basis) and other services that are available to you as a Harnessing Talent athlete.

Click here to see speaker biographies

Click here for directions to all venues

What is the National Support Programme?
The DKHLT National Support Programme is a new venture which will run annually and provide the spine of the support we provide to our elite sports performers throughout the year.

What is the aim of the Programme?
We have developed learning opportunities within the National Support Programme on the skills and knowledge needed to perform the following roles:

• Inspirational Speakers
• Role Models
• Mentors
• Technical/Lifestyle Advisors to Young People

As these are the most relevant for most elite athletes, thus by ensuring you are all highly skilled in these types of roles we can offer the most immediate benefit to young people in and outside of sport.

Another important area which will also benefit the youth/sport sector is confidence development, which will enable you to perform other roles such as, business leaders, Board members and suchlike which we have also integrated into our National Support Programme. 

So what does that mean for me?

• Access to our community of networking and training sessions which are growing throughout the UK
• Access to National Conferences
• Access to specialists within the DKHLT Academy – ranging from personal Coaches/Mentors to specialists in business, sport administration, sports coaching, sports science, learning & education, young people development, governance and leadership
• Access to qualifications such coaching and mentoring
• Opportunity to 'give back' and learn on the job through our various 'Inspiring Sport' and 'Inspiring Lives' projects

When did it launch?
The National Support Programme for Harnessing Talent Performers (retiring and retired world class performers) was recently launched with our first ‘Harnessing Talent Club’ which took place on Wednesday 8th July 2009 at Loughborough College, Loughborough University, Leicestershire.

How was it received?
Because of interactive nature and the calibre of the speakers that presented, the day was well received by the sports performers. Anna Hemmings, 6 times World Canoeing Champion said it was “a great and very useful day. Mainly I've been inspired to go away and take action and implement my ideas. I got some very useful tips on interview techniques and CVs.” Another sports performer commented, “I learnt a lot!! - The way I view / think about interviews, my CV structure, my business approach”.

How often will they run?
Following on from the first ‘HT Club’, we will run these sessions on a quarterly basis in the North, Midlands and South, each HT Club one offering a variety of different training sessions.

The next Harnessing Talent Clubs will be held in London in October and Sheffield in December.

What other opportunities do you have for retired/retiring athletes?
In combination with the DKHLT National Support Programme, we hope our ex-sports performers will get involved in the number of ‘Inspiring Young People’ and ‘Inspiring Sport’ projects DKH Legacy Trust is currently running, where they can get involved in working with young people, parents, carers and coaches to increase their personal development.

What if I don’t know what I want to do in the future?
Next Steps sessions, which form part of each Harnessing Talent Club give performers the opportunity to meet with the DKHLT team to discuss and develop their personal development plans. Jenna Downing, World Champion in Extreme In-Line Skating said of the Loughborough session, “It was good to dig deeper into our thoughts and discover our values”. 

“What happens to sports people after retirement, having struggled myself for so long, is a subject close to my heart, I’d be honoured and very happy to say that I’ll be supporting the DKH Legacy Trust wherever possible into the future.” - Toby Box, Commonwealth Bronze medallist in Athletics.


Find out more about our Harnessing Talent work and how it is making a difference to sports performers by clicking here.

If you want to find out more about the DKHLT Harnessing Talent Club click here.

Alternatively, contact us to find out more or note your interest in any of our events.