Northumbria University - Talented Athlete Scholarship

What TASS gives you

The “Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme” (TASS) offers you a package of expert sporting support worth approximately 4,000 EUR per year instead of a cash payment. You’ll benefit from a team of specialists who will support you with: strength and conditioning training developed in collaboration with your coach, physiotherapy for the prevention and treatment of injuries, personalised nutritional advice, sports psychology to boost self-confidence and concentration, and support with personal development – both during and after your sporting career. You’ll also have fast-track access to treatment for sports injuries, as well as a free, confidential 24/7 mental health helpline offering up to 12 therapy sessions per issue per year. This support continues for as long as your sport’s governing body deems necessary. When this support ends, TASS will continue to support you for a further three months. TASS is funded by Sport England through the National Lottery and is part of the SportsAid family.

Who can apply

• Age: You are 16 years old or older.
• Sporting level: You are one of the most promising young athletes at the forefront of talent development in your sport.
• Sport: Your sport is one of the more than 40 sports supported by TASS, including many para-sports (such as athletics, swimming, cycling, judo, boxing, rowing, gymnastics and wheelchair basketball).
• Eligibility to represent: You are eligible to play for England and, in some cases, for Wales or Scotland as well.
• Study: You don’t have to study full-time. Since 2022, TASS has been supporting all athletes at the highest level of their careers.

How to apply

You cannot apply yourself. The National Governing Body (NGB) for your sport – that is, the official organisation that governs your sport – will nominate you. This usually takes place between June and August. If you are nominated, you will receive an email from TASS and undergo a medical examination when you join the programme.

How realistic are your chances?

You are not competing against a general pool of applicants. The decision rests solely with the governing body of your sport, which only nominates athletes it considers to be at the very top of the funding programme. TASS states that it supports every nominated athlete who meets the criteria; so once you are nominated, your place is as good as guaranteed. The real challenge lies in earning that nomination through your results and your standing within your sport.