This unit applies to current or aspiring elite athletes who are competing in individual or team sports at a state, national or international level.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Develop self management strategies.

1.1. Identify a range of information sources and gather relevant information on issues affecting elite athletes.

1.2. Identify potential barriers that may impact on professional and personal performance.

1.3. Develop and implement strategies to effectively manage the potential barriers that an athlete may encounter.

2. Operate in accord with the legal and ethical responsibilities of an elite athlete.

2.1. Apply legal responsibilities to all on and off field endeavours.

2.2. Apply ethical responsibilities to all on and off field endeavours according to industry codes of practice.

2.3. Apply the principles of sport to all on and off field sporting endeavours.

2.4. Report breaches of ethical rights to appropriate personnel according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.5. Contribute to a safe environment for other athletes and sport personnel.

3. Address drugs in sport issues.

3.1. Identify a range of information sources and gather relevant information on the possible effects of drugs on the professional careers of elite athletes.

3.2. Identify and comply with responsibilities of an elite athlete according to anti-doping policies and codes.

3.3. Identify and comply with drug testing procedures according to anti-doping policies and codes.

4. Work with officials and support personnel.

4.1. Develop and maintain professional relationships with officials and support personnel.

4.2. Seek advice and support from relevant personnel to meet responsibilities of an elite athlete.

4.3. Liaise with officials and other support personnel to identify and implement strategies to promote own sport and or the sport industry.

5.

5.1. Identify stakeholders elite athletes are required to represent and their obligations to them.

5.2. Identify professional and social situations in which elite athletes are required to represent stakeholders.

5.3. Identify and clarify the rights and responsibilities of all parties in the contract.

5.4. Carry out tasks and responsibilities according to legal and ethical requirements as stated in the contract.

5.5. Identify the potential consequences of a breach of contract for long term career opportunities.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to identify ethical issues such as drugs and behaviour that may impact on performance and outcomes as an elite athlete and implement strategies to address these

language and literacy skills to:

read and interpret rights and responsibilities documented in a contract

source and apply information in relation to requirements of an elite athlete such as codes of conduct, anti-doping codes and anti-discrimination legislation

self-management skills to:

comply with legal and ethical responsibilities of an elite athlete to demonstrate appropriate behaviour on and off the field

meet role model expectations

promote the value and integrity of sporting competition

communication skills to:

develop and maintain professional relationships with a range of sporting and support staff

report any breaches in ethical rights such as problems with discrimination and harassment from other athletes or staff.

Required knowledge

ethical and legal responsibilities of elite athletes to enable fair and safe competition

principles of sport and competition to ensure promotion of the values and benefits of appropriate sports

legal and ethical responsibilities contained in athlete contracts to enable athlete to carry out tasks and obligations responsibly

anti-doping codes to enable compliance with testing requirements

classification of major drugs in relation to their legal status to maintain legal training and competition standards

short and long term physical and psychological effects of drugs on the human body

information sources regarding drugs in sport to enable understanding of rights and responsibilities in relation to drugs in sport and to maintain currency of knowledge.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

demonstrates professional practice on and off the playing arena and in relationships with other athletes and sporting personnel

applies relevant international, national and sport specific standards, rules, regulations, codes and policies to practice

evaluates and reflects on strategies that may enhance professional and personal performance

communicates in a way that engenders respect between all parties.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure assessment of the candidate's professional practice on and off the sporting arena over a period of time to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

other elite athletes and relevant support staff

documentation such as contracts and regulations, codes and policies for the specific sport.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of interaction with a range of sporting personnel, including fellow athletes, coaches and support staff

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of policies and codes for relevant sport such as anti-doping codes and testing procedures, codes of behaviour and sources of information regarding the responsibilities of elite athletes

third-party reports from coaches or other support staff detailing examples of appropriate behaviour and understanding of expected responsibilities of an elite athlete.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Guidance information for assessment

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Information sources may include:

sporting bodies

sports literature

sporting personnel

drugs monitoring bodies.

Relevant information may include:

roles and responsibilities of elite athletes

codes of conduct.

Issues may include:

drugs

alcohol

behaviour on and off the field

role model expectations

discrimination.

Elite athletes may include:

beginner through to high performance level competitors

athletes under 16 years of age who require parent or guardian consent prior to being included in a training program

female or male athletes

athletes with a disability or special needs

athletes from minority ethnic and cultural groups.

Potential barriers may include:

managing injury

other commitments

interpersonal conflict

managing media

non-selection.

Legal responsibilities may include:

anti-discrimination legislation

anti-doping codes

duty of care

occupational health and safety

contract clauses regarding behaviour

sporting tribunal decisions.

Ethical responsibilities may include:

contributing to a safe environment for other athletes that is free of discrimination, harassment and abuse

treating all athletes fairly, with respect and dignity

promoting fair play, teamwork and modelling appropriate sporting behaviour

behaving with integrity and honour on and off the field

respecting fellow athletes and competitors

maintaining the sport's standards, rules, regulations, codes and policies.

Industry codes of practice may include:

sport codes and regulations

anti-doping codes

codes of conduct.

Principles of sport must include:

fairness

respect

responsibility

safety.

Ethical rights may include:

competing and training in an environment free from discrimination and harassment

competing and training in an environment free of drugs

being treated fairly, equally and with respect by coaches, officials, fellow athletes and supporters

having access to codes, policies rules and regulations required to compete in the sport

fair application of the principles of natural justice in relation to complaints or allegations faced by the athlete.

Relevant information may include:

professional advice available on drugs in sport

classification of major drugs in relation to their legal status

short term and long term effects of drugs on the human body

possible harmful effects of drug use

classification of drugs as either banned or permitted in sport

physical and psychological effects of banned and restricted drugs.

Responsibilities of an elite athlete must include:

being available for sample collection

taking responsibility for what is ingested and used

informing medical personnel of obligations not to use prohibited substances

ensuring any medical treatment does not violate anti-doping policies

providing accurate and up-to-date information on whereabouts.

Anti-doping policies and codes include:

the world anti-doping code (WADA)

national anti-doping codes

sport-specific requirements.

Drug testing procedures include:

availability of athlete

provision of samples

representation rights

right of appeal.

Support personnel may include:

administrators

other coach or coaches

sports scientists

sports medicine providers

agents

parents or guardians.

Stakeholders may include:

sporting bodies

sponsors

coaches

government bodies.

Obligations may include:

media activities

commercial activities

educational activities

community activities.

Professional situations may include:

interviews

training and competition

promotional functions

after competition activities

sports clinics for schools and community organisations

official dinners

meetings

photo shoots

charity events.

Social situations may include:

supporters and fans

colleagues, competitors or officials

sponsors.

Contract may include:

player

sponsorship

employment

performance

formation.

Potential consequences may include:

loss of contract

suspension

fines

disciplinary action

legal implications

decrease in desired profile.

Unit sector

Sport

This unit contains employability skills.