Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) has gained accreditation from the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), a Sport England-backed programme that helps young athletes balance their sporting careers with education and personal development.
The scheme is designed to support student-athletes who are following a dual career pathway, enabling them to pursue academic or vocational qualifications while training and competing at an elite level.
Sharon James-Evans, principal at Cardiff and Vale College, said: “We are delighted to become part of the TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme.
“At CAVC our Sports Academies support learners across the college develop elite sport skills while balancing it with their studies, and this accreditation will further develop that support.”
The TASS accreditation works alongside the college’s existing Sport Academies, which offer specialist coaching and facilities for students studying a range of academic and vocational courses.
The dual career approach aims to equip athletes with the skills and qualifications needed for life beyond sport.
Referenced within the education section of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson’s Duty of Care in Sport Review, the TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme recognises colleges and universities that are committed to supporting student-athletes through both academic and sporting development.
Guy Taylor, national director of TASS, said: “We’re delighted to be awarding TASS Dual Career Accreditation to colleges and universities across England and Wales.
“Dual career support is at the forefront of what TASS does and that’s why the accreditation scheme is so important for us in recognising those institutions who place precedence on their athletes’ education too.”
As an accredited site, Cardiff and Vale College will now offer services such as physiotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle support, psychology, strength and conditioning, and a private medical scheme to student-athletes.
