Leading psychology college and AFL star launch Elite Athlete Mentoring Program

In a national first, the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) has developed a postgraduate program to provide training in mentoring for staff working with elite athletes.

The program was developed to assist with some of the challenges faced by elite athletes that include dealing with the associated pressure of significant media attention; relying on sport as a source of income and livelihood; coping with transitions including relocating clubs, selection/de-selection and retirement; and the abuse of drugs and alcohol (performance enhancing or otherwise).

The program carries the support and endorsement of the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA).

Former Essendon AFL player and AFL Players' Association General Manager of Player Development Steve Alessio officially launched the EAM Program today (Tuesday 29 November) at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, alongside Dr Tim Chambers, ACAP’s Elite Athlete Mentoring (EAM) Program Manager.

Dr Chambers said the EAM consists of two courses designed to provide the fundamental mentoring skills and knowledge for graduates to work in athlete welfare and developmental roles across all sport codes.

“The courses were developed in close consultation with key personnel in the sporting industry, including Steve Alessio from the AFLPA, to meet a growing need for further education options in elite athlete wellbeing,” Dr Chambers said.

“Athlete welfare has emerged as a key element in professional sport. Specifically, increased attention on athlete welfare has resulted in an emphasis on supporting personal development and the attainment of greater sport-life balance,” he said.

The two courses consist of a Graduate Certificate in Elite Athlete Mentoring (12 weeks full-time) and a Graduate Diploma in Elite Athlete mentoring (24 weeks full-time).

After studying at ACAP several years ago, Mr Alessio recognised the applied learning principles delivered by ACAP would complement the ‘hands-on’ approach taken by welfare and development staff in professional sport, including AFL Player Development Managers.

“I started consulting with ACAP to develop accredited professional development for AFL and any other welfare and development personnel working in professional sport, this led to discussions with Dr Tim Chambers,” Mr Alessio said.

“Footballers may look like a generic group, but each player is an individual and ACAP has helped us build recognition of the importance of the welfare aspect in a professional sporting environment. There is the human side to professional sport that needs to be nurtured and developed and given the opportunity to reach its potential both in and beyond the sporting environment,” Mr Alessio said.

In September, ACAP delivered its first online EAM unit, which offers students the flexibility of work and study. The first group of students will graduate from the Graduate Certificate
in 2012.

Dr Chambers said graduates of the courses can apply for work in a range of sectors both here and overseas including professional sporting organisations and associations; institutes, universities, colleges and academies working with elite athletes; organisations working with professional or elite athletes; or self-employment in the field of elite athlete mentoring.

ACAP – part of Navitas, the largest private education group in Australia – has been the leading provider of psychology and counseling training for more than 28 years.

------ENDS------

Steven Alessio, AFL Players’ Association GM – Player Development is  available for interviews following the launch.

To arrange interviews, please contact Rebecca O’Riley on 0411 407 776.

For further information contact:

Annette Madjarian
Public Relations Manager     
Navitas Limited
Tel: + 61 2 9025 4746
Mob: 0412 554 872

Kimberly Taylour
Associate Public Relations Officer
Navitas Limited
Tel: + 61 2 9025 4742