TASS AWARDS – NEW PROCESS & ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In recent months, work has been undertaken with UK Sport and the UK Sports Institute to further align TASS awards into GBR sporting pathways. This means a new eligibility criteria and allocation process for athlete awards, alongside 12 additional places.

The Talented Athlete Support Scheme (TASS) is a programme, historically accessible only by a limited number of athletes based in England.

Programme Changes

Changes to the programme include:

• Wales – A new partnership with Sport Wales means TASS support will be available at Cardiff Met University and Swansea University. This means Welsh Athletes at the appropriate level can receive TASS support.
• Overseas Athletes – Additional resource from TASS will be provided to the appropriate level athlete who are studying overseas
• Enhanced Psychology and Nutrition Support
• Increased NGB Pathway Alignment – with National Governing Body funded sporting pathway programmes
• Increased Awards – An increase in TASS Awards for fencing from 12 to 24

Eligibility Criteria

As a result of the above changes the new eligibility criteria for a TASS award are:

1. Hold a United Kingdom passport
2. Be eligible to represent GBR
3. Be based in England or Wales, Overseas award require contact time in England
4. Be an active member of British Fencing’s Athlete Development Programme attending training camps and other development opportunities
5. Have an active Individual Athlete Development Plan (IADP) at T3, ideally T4 level with reviews at regular stages of the season
6. Have a realistic prospect of meeting one or more of the following performance standards
   1. Compete (defined as being selected) at the 2028 Olympic Games.
   2. Compete (defined as meeting the qualifying standard) at the European Championships 2024 and/or Senior World Championships in 2025.
   3. Perform (defined as competing to a standard capable of achieving a result of Last 16 or better) at the World University Games 2025.
   4. Perform (defined as competing to a standard capable of achieving a result of Last 16 or better) at the European U23 Championships in 2023.
7. Able to and willing to travel to a TASS delivery site as often as necessary to meet the requirements of the award
8. If an athlete is on the DiSE programme or receiving a Sports Aid Core award they are not eligible for a TASS award. However, if an athlete is receiving Backing the Best support, they can also be eligible for a TASS award.

Process

1st Round – By 13th November  the Athlete Development Team with create a shortlist of athletes based on the eligibility criteria above and shared with UK Sport Progression Team and TASS.  Those agreed Athlete will be invited to apply and complete the application by 14th December

2nd Round – From 1st January, any spare places will be open for application. Details on this process will follow after the completion of the 1st round.

Athletes wishing to be considered for funding should ensure that a copy of their most up to date IADP has been logged with the ADP. For help and support on completing an IADP please visit the website here or email [email protected] and a member of the team will be in touch.

For feedback and questions, use the pathway/ADP queries form.

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