POLICY PUSH

Case study: National sport school network

Jane Doe has just become the new President of a national network of sport schools in an Eastern European country. She believes that every young person should be given the opportunity to develop their education and other interests alongside their sporting pursuits. Consequently, in her legislation period, she aims to get more structural and financial support for sport schools by the government. Moreover, Jane wants to argue a legal basis to develop more flexibility in the school organisation.

To initiate the preparations of her argumentation towards the political decision-makers, she investigates the manifold benefits of a systematic dual career support for athletes on economic, social, and labour levels. To this end, Jane reviews the information presented in the document Benefits of Dual Career (pdf).

Economic benefits

From an economic perspective, investment in dual career systems can:

• Increase the number of athletes that are able to gain employment and go on to contribute economically to society through paying taxes.
• Reduce the number of athletes who face mental health challenges post-retirement, reducing the medical costs required to support individuals through mental health treatment.
• Increase the number of regular exercisers in society, reducing the strain on the medical services.
• Increase the number of young people engaged in sport, reducing levels of criminality and the strain on the emergency services, prison service, and justice system.

Social benefits

From a social perspective, investment in dual career systems can:

• Fulfil the moral obligation to support individuals outside of sport.
• Reduce the strain on families and communities caused by addiction or mental health challenges.
• Reduce the likelihood of divorce and the impact this can have on families, children, and communities.
• Spread the positive message of sport through families and communities.
• Encourage more young people to participate in sport and become a role model themselves.
• Develop positive ambassadors for the country, increasing international recognition.
• Increase positive messages within the media.

Labour benefits

From a labour perspective, investment in dual career systems can:

• Upskill the labour market and increase the quality of the workforce.
• Develop athletes’ vocational potential, utilising the capabilities developed through sport.
• Allow athletes to take ownership of the vocational path they choose to take.
• Strengthen the sport sector which then feeds back into the cycle of dual career benefits.

Structuring the arguments

Based on this review, Jane uses the Influencing Strategy (pdf) worksheet to systematically shape her approach. The worksheet assists her to create a clear communicative structure and prepare effective key arguments. Here you can download her personal considerations.