Mentoring involves the support one person provides to another in developing knowledge, thinking or behaviour. Developmental mentoring emphasises the importance of the mentoring relationship, mutual learning, and establishing mentee independence. The relationship forged between the mentee and mentor can be long lasting with a broad sense of purpose and wide ranging goals that are set and owned by the mentee. Within the mentoring relationship, the mentor usually brings more experience to the relationship and assists the mentee to achieve her or his desired goals and develop greater self-awareness.

Why are these courses important for the sporting profession?

The growing professionalisation of sport over the past twenty years has seen a marked increase in the level and sophistication of support provided to elite amateur and professional athletes. The type of support provided to elite athletes has largely focused on enhancing sporting performance, such as improved training and recovery practices. Current elite athletes also face many challenges and pressures that have not existed in the past. Some of these challenges 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 and de-selection, and retirement; and
• Drug and alcohol abuse (performance enhancing or otherwise).

Consequently athlete welfare has emerged as a key element in elite sport. Specifically, increased attention on athlete welfare has resulted in an emphasis on supporting personal development and the attainment of greater sport-life balance. In response to these types of issues, ACAP has developed two courses to provide the fundamental mentoring skills and knowledge for graduates to work in athlete welfare and development roles.