First EIS Affiliate company announced as Next Step READY

Next Step READY has become the first company to sign up to be an EIS Affiliate, supporting the EIS Performance Lifestyle team.

Based on a successful pilot, Next Step READY will work with Performance Lifestyle to deliver a programme of developmental activity to support athletes across numerous sports to prepare for their lives after sport.

Currently delivered through interactive virtual workshops, athletes receive cutting edge training from industry experts, developing the skills needed to be successful in the workplace and in business. Athletes gain access to world leading organisations and guest speakers, and benefit from mentoring by top tier business leaders and entrepreneurs. Importantly athletes meet fellow sports professionals who have been through the same journey and become part of the Next Step READY Alumni, which provides a support network for life.

The EIS Performance Lifestyle team has been working for over 15 years alongside National Governing Bodies for sport to support athletes to develop themselves away from sport. In 2018 the Performance Lifestyle team launched the #More2Me campaign, which encourages athletes to share their stories of personal development and in turn encourage other athletes to consider their lives away from sport.

Jo Harrison, Head of Performance Lifestyle at the EIS, said:

“It is brilliant that we are collaborating so closely with Next Step READY on this important programme of activity. There are different athlete development programmes available, but Next Step READY have been keen to work with us to develop this concept and understand how we can work together to provide the best support possible to the athletes in the most impactful way. The approach is flexible and athlete-focussed which enables current athletes to combine this with performance commitments and the programme can also be easily offered to those transitioning from the world class programme.

Dean Cooper and Chloë Dudding, co-founders of Next Step READY, said:

“We’re delighted to continue to strengthen our relationship with EIS and the Performance Lifestyle Team, providing a unique programme of support for athletes, not just now while they are still in sport but through transition and long into their future careers. This affiliation reflects the strong desire to collaborate towards a shared purpose; giving every athlete that comes through our programmes, the confidence and the capability to be Next Step READY.”

You can find out more about Next Step READY here.