EY and Athlete Career Transition support elite sport career transition

To support elite sports people transition from a career in sport to one in the business world, EY and Athlete Career Transition have joined forces. EY will offer a positions and training resources to support the transition, while ACT will oversee the recruitment process between sporting organisations and EY.

High-performing athletes often become such by rigorous discipline, keen dedication and resolve and constant training and development. Working as part of a team, they hone the area of their body, and strategic parts of their mind, as needed to become the best in the world. Careers at the top end of sport, however, tend to be relatively short lived, as new competitors, leveraging their younger bodies, come to outperform former stars.

In a bid to support those among the elite sporting community that are keen to transfer the skills and practices they developed during their sports career, into leadership within the business world, EY and the Athlete Career Transition* (ACT) have joined forces.

EY will offer athletes across the globe professional roles within its global operation, as well as the necessary training and development resources to make the transition possible. ACT will be there to oversee the recruitment process for the programme, with this years’ intake focused on athletes in the British & Irish Lions rugby tour, the National Football League (NFL), the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The programme builds on the firm’s efforts last year with the EY Women Athletes Business Network, which saw nine female RIO 2016 competitors join the firm as interns, some of whom are joining the firm as full-time hires this year.

Nancy Altobello, EY Global Vice Chair – Talent, says, “At EY, we’re always exploring new and innovative ways to find and retain the best talent. Elite athletes thrive in a culture of high-performing teams, and their perseverance, drive and leadership are all transferable qualities that are incredibly beneficial in business. The skills and experiences they possess will contribute to our purpose of building a better working world.”

Steve Moore, ACT Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, says, “The same dedication athletes use to reach the top of their game in sport can be applied in professional business settings, and we’re committed to maximizing this by working closely with each athlete to ensure a smooth transition into their new careers at EY.”

* An organization that identifies, matches and places athletes in global business environments.