The British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy has been established to support athletes graduating from the Paralympic Development Academy and prepare them for potential selection into the World Class Podium, Podium Potential programmes and ultimately representation in British teams at major championships.
The programme runs annually from 1st December to 1st November every year and athletes are invited into the Futures Academy for two years. On occasion, athletes will be offered a third year based on their development needs and progression.
The programme offers selected athletes:
- An event specific Point of Contact who will be responsible for supporting athletes and personal coach with an Individual Athlete Plan (IAP)
- Overnight training camps at the National Performance Institute in Loughborough
- Planned access during camps to British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy Performance services – S&C, Nutrition, Physiotheraphy and
- Performance Lifestyle
- A series of workshops and experiences, to provide the opportunity to develop the skills required for senior international success
- Objective feedback on technical and physical abilities through the performance services to support IAP
- International training camp or competition opportunities
- International Classification at an overseas competition
- SportsAid nomination to assist with training and competition costs
- Access to training at the British Athletics National Performance Institute (NPI) in Loughborough, English Institute of Sport training locations and other locations as needed
- Medical Insurance Scheme
- Nike Paralympic Futures Academy kit
In addition, coaches of selected athletes will be offered:
- Support with individual development plans and supporting the athlete(s) in training and competition
- Event and impairment specific development workshops
- Mentoring, support as appropriate and nomination for CPD opportunities (where available) with external bodies/organisations e.g. UK Coaching, UK Sport, Home Country Sport Councils National Coaching programmes as appropriate
Parents and guardians will also be offered education and support workshops during the training camps.
