Welcome to the future of British sport
Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
What is the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme?
The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, or TASS as it is better known, is a Government funded programme to support and fast-track young sporting talent, the potential medal winners of the future. TASS is a unique partnership between sport and higher and further education, designed especially to cater for the needs of athletes within the education system.
The TASS programme has been created to help hundreds to fulfill their sporting potential by maintaining a sensible balance between academic life or employment whilst training and competing as a performance athlete. TASS aims to reduce the drop-out of talented athletes from sport due to academic and financial pressures.
Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, five time Olympic Champion said: “I know how difficult it is to develop in your sport to the highest levels whilst undertaking academic studies or a career. This exciting new scheme provides our most promising future Olympians with top quality sporting services and access to good quality training facilities.”
Who is eligible for TASS?
TASS bridges the gap in sport's talent development pathway between junior representative sport and world-class levels for our most talented 16 to 25 year old sportspeople.
There are two ways in which TASS can help talented sportspeople in England:
TASS Scholarships are for 16 to 25 year olds (extended upper age limit of 35 for scholar with a disability) who are undertaking higher or further education or have left education to begin pursuing a career.
TASS 2012 Scholarships are for 10-20 year olds (extended upper age limit of 35 for bursar with a disability), who have already shown exceptional sporting talent. This will help fast-track these special youngsters to perform at the highest level.
Which sports does TASS support?
There are over 40 sports that are eligible for TASS, of which 15 are disability sports.
What support do TASS athletes receive?
TASS athletes that are awarded a scholarship will receive sporting services to the value of £3,000, and those awarded a TASS 2012 Scholarship will receive sporting services up to the value of £10,000. Sport's National Governing Bodies (NGBs) design a customised package of core sporting services for their TASS athletes comprising for example, coaching, sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and lifestyle management. TASS athletes will also have access to good quality training facilities.
Who provides the sporting services to TASS athletes?
TASS operates across England through several higher and further education institutions that work together with the relevant NGBs to provide a package of sporting services to TASS scholars in their region. The funding to support the delivery of the services and benefits will be paid to the relevant NGB or institution; the athlete does not receive the money directly.
How are TASS athletes identified?
Most stars of the future are known by their national governing bodies and already receive support to develop in their sport, therefore these bodies that are in the best position to select athletes for a TASS award. TASS athletes are also identified from other sources, including nominations to governing bodies from schools, colleges, and universities.
Who do I contact about applying for a TASS award?
In the first instance you should check that you, or the person you are nominating, meet the eligibility criteria in respect of age and sport. You should then approach your sport's national governing body. Contact details for the governing bodies and eligibility criteria can be found on the TASS website at www.tass.gov.uk. Another useful web site to visit to help your planning is www.sportandstudy.net, which allows you to search by sport, institution or geographical area.
What else can you tell me about TASS?
A TASS scholarship is made annually for the period 1 August to 31 July. Providing that the sport's governing body recommends an award, support can continue for more than one year. Funding is paid directly to the service provider and not to the TASS athlete.
Governing bodies also monitor and regularly assess the performance of TASS athletes to ensure that they make full use of the services and facilities provided for them in order to fully develop as an athlete.
How can I find out more about TASS?
More information can be found on the TASS website at www.tass.gov.uk.
Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
Tyne & Wear,
NE1 8ST
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