About Us: How is the Pathway funded and what benefits do I get?

The GBR Pathway Programme (formerly the ADP) is the programme that delivers all the activities designed to support GBR athletes moving up the pathway to Olympic success. As such it is responsible for enabling access to and/or delivering a number of individually funded projects and programmes in many cases funded by different organisations.  Funding sources includes – England DiSE, Sport England ‘Talent‘, UK Sport Progression (includes ‘National Teams), and UK Sport Podium and athlete contribution costs.

(For more information about UK Sport Funding and how it supports the work done by BF, click here.)

Pathway Athletes

The current athlete contribution is £180 (23-24). The remaining costs are covered by Sport England and UK Sport.

This contribution is waived for unfunded athletes age 21 and over at pathway stage T4 and above and invited sparring partners at camps.  (If you are age 21 and over, at pathway stage T4 and above and are not already part of the ADP or receiving invites to camps, please contact GBR Support).

In return, all Pathway athletes benefit from the following:

• Training Camps (10 days) (accommodation and travel costs covered by athlete)
• Access to athlete education and resources
• ADP Coaches and staff provide face-to-face support with Individual Athlete Development Plans
• Access to online sessions such as performance analysis, female health
• Access to the Diploma in Sporting Excellence  programme (DiSE)
• Discounted/free GBR clothing eg tracksuits
• Discounted Coach and Referee courses
• Subsidised coaching and administrative (eg Team Management) support and team entry fees at Major (European & World) Championships. Typically around £60K per year is spent on supporting athletes competing at European and World Championships, but this varies depending on location.
• Access to and support with relevant funding applications e.g. TASS, Backing the Best (eligibility criteria varies, see here)

For more information about the Pathway, click here.

In addition, and by age group, the Pathway also provides:

Cadets: Coaches supporting team days at EFC U17s, Subsidised refereeing and administrative (eg Team Management) support at nominated EFC U17 events

Juniors: Coaches (supporting Pathway athletes and GBR team events) at identified FIE U20 World Cups, Subsidised refereeing and administrative (eg Team Management) support at nominated FIE U20 World Cups

U23s:  Coaches (supporting Pathway athletes and GBR team events) at identified U23 events

Seniors: Coaches (supporting Pathway athletes and GBR team events) at identified Senior World Cups

Note: Athletes that are not part of the ADP may be able to benefit from the ADP competition coaching support at each level, noting that that resources will be prioritised based on ADP athlete needs.

In addition, and by performance/trajectory to Olympic medal success

2024 Medal: Where athletes have a demonstrable trajectory, intention and motivation to achieving medal success in 2024, BF will make an application to UK Sport  for Podium funding which will include Athlete Performance Awards. A minimum of a L8 result (individual) at the 2022 or 2023 Senior World Championships is required before an application will be made.

Athletes who previously received APAs as part of WCP funding (prior to the programme closing in March 2017) will be required to demonstrate medal trajectory within cycle (2024) to apply for Podium funding which would include APAs if successful.

2028 Medal: BF is currently working with UK Sport to assess the programme needs of athletes with a demonstrable trajectory, intention and motivation to achieving medal success in 2028 and identify whether additional funding (including APAs) can be accessed to support these athletes. Athletes who previously received APAs as part of WCP funding (prior to the programme closing in March 2017) will likely not be eligible to receive APAs as part of this. This is because the funding available is intended to support athletes entering the performance system for the first time.

2032 Medal: Athletes with a demonstrable trajectory, intention and motivation to achieving medal success in 2032 will have their development needs assessed as part of our ‘Progression’ funded work and where there are opportunities to accelerate progress these may be supported or subsidised by BF (See here). This could include support for ‘stretch’ competitions or training camps.

For more information about the funding we receive from UK Sport please click here.

For more information about how we use the income we received from members please click here.