Friday, 25 November 2011: A new program to assist Olympic athletes to transition from sport to the workplace was launched in Melbourne this morning by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the Adecco Group who have partnered in a determined bid to transition elite athletes into elite professionals.
The AOC has been concerned for some time that when some Olympic athletes finish competing at the elite level they suddenly find they have no career prospects and nothing to fall back on. This program has been designed to overcome that problem by producing ‘well rounded’ athletes who are learning workplace skills during their sporting careers and can use those skills once they have finished competing.
According to AOC President Mr John Coates AC, “An appropriate life balance is important to our athletes. It supports their sporting performance and prepares them for life after sport. As we all recognise, Olympic athletes are high achievers who can bring wonderful qualities to the workplace.
From an employer’s perspective the well documented qualities and capabilities of Olympic athletes including team spirit, strong commitment and dedication, high energy, motivation and focus, are the very attributes most employers seek,” he said.
According to Adecco Chief Executive Officer Australia and New Zealand Mr Jeff Doyle, “The unique backgrounds and capabilities of Olympic athletes can bring a positive edge to an organisation. Athletes who excel in their chosen sport need qualities similar to those that support success in business. I am confident that with the support of Adecco clients, our career training programs and follow-up services, Australia’s Olympic athletes will be able to live their dreams, not only in the sporting arena, but in their careers also.”
Speaking at the launch this morning, Olympic golden girl and world champion aerial skier Alisa Camplin made the point that: “There is nothing more formidable, than an athlete who balances further education or professional work while training for the Olympics. They develop a much wider skill set and take a far broader perspective into the competition arena. These athletes really understand the level of commitment required to succeed and the attention to detail that secures a win - in both sport and business.”
Also speaking at the launch was the first athlete to be placed under the new program National mountain bike cross country and short track champion Katherine O'Shea, who joined the Adecco Group today as a Business Analyst. “Katherine has all the qualities we were looking for. She is technically sound, has great experience, and is determined to succeed. We are delighted that she is part of the Adecco team,” Jeff Doyle commented.
Olympic athletes eligible for the new program will be an individual who:
- Has been selected for the 2012 Olympic Team;
- Is in contention for selection to the 2012 Olympic Team (known as ‘Olympic Shadow Team’)
- Was a member of the 2010 Olympic Winter Team, or
- Was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team
(Left to Right): Craig Phillips (Secretary General, AOC), Rick Khinda (Director Marketing & Communications), Katherine O’Shea (Athlete & Adecco Business Analyst), Michelle Kercheval (Strategic Account Centre Manager & OACP Project Coordinator), Alisa Camplin (Olympic Champion), Jeff Doyle (CEO, Adecco Australia&NZ), Marina Meteos (ACE Adviser, VIS), Anne Marie Harrison (CEO, VIS).
John Coates AC (President, Australian Olympic Committee) and Jeff Doyle (CEO, Adecco Group Australia & NZ) sign the agreement.
Employers seeking additional information on the program can email
athletes@adecco com.au or call 1300 ADECCO.
Victorian Olympic athletes seeking additional information should first contact the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) on 03 9425 0000 or visit vis.org.au for more details.
Olympic athletes from other states
Download the brochure, click here.
For additional comment please contact:
Rick Khinda at Adecco on (03) 9954 2177 / 0438 301 241
Louise Nealon at CallidusPR on (02) 9283 4114 / 0403 569 177
Mike Tancred, Media Director, AOC on (02) 9336 0245 / 0412 330 274