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Aquatics GB (Great Britain) has launched ‘Open Doors’, a new initiative to provide athletes with a behind-the-scenes look at the business operations of a National Governing Body (NGB). It is giving five champion swimmers the chance to gain valuable work experience and mentorship as they transition from the pool to careers beyond competitive sports.
The first-ever cohort of athletes includes Paralympic champions Brock Whiston and Maisie Summers-Newton, Olympic gold medalist Kieran Bird, World Championship medalist Abbie Wood and three-time British champion Kara Hanlon. The athletes will spend the next six months immersed in various aspects of Aquatics GB’s daily operations, learning key functions including communications and marketing, data analysis, travel planning and more.
The initiative wants to help athletes develop essential skills for life after their competitive careers, with a focus on areas like sports science, sports medicine and interview and CV (resume) writing. As part of the program, they will be mentored by staff members across Aquatics GB’s business functions, gaining insight into roles that help support the athletes in training and competition.
“We know that our athletes are exceptional in the pool, but I’m confident they will go on to make significant impacts in whatever they do next. It’s fantastic that we can offer them a glimpse into the varied and important roles within our organization,” said Aquatics GB CEO Drew Barrand.
Athletes will also have the opportunity to shadow Barrand in the lead-up to major events such as the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in April and the World Championships in Singapore later this year. The NGB is committed to tailoring the program to each athlete’s interests, with the goal of providing personalized guidance and career development.
Summers-Newton highlighted the program’s potential for expanding her career options. “I finished my university course in November, so I had a period of time where I didn’t really know what to do next. This program is providing an opportunity for me to learn so much more from people within the national governing body while being with other athletes. I hope to share my experiences and knowledge with the staff and make a difference.”
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