SkillsActive in partnership with the Learning Skills Council, a number of governing bodies of sport, industry experts and other partnership organisations, developed the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE). The framework was approved in March 2004 and has been rolled out across a number of sports such as football, rugby union, swimming, golf, hockey and athletics.

 

The AASE is designed to meet the needs of elite athletes aged 16-18 who wish to continue their sporting career and gain qualifications at the same time. The AASE is not a qualification for simply playing the game. It is notionally a two-year programme where Apprentices receive additional support and guidance for their basketball development and education. The AASE is aimed at athletes:

 

"who have the realistic potential to achieve excellence in their sport and are seeking to perform at the highest level as their main career goal"

 

Importantly AASE also provides an array of exit opportunities if the ultimate performance related outcome is not quite reached. Even if a young person is successful in achieving a professional contract or a full-time occupation, their career as a performer often has a limited lifespan. Most professional athletes' careers are in decline by their early thirties and some are often forced out earlier due to injury, loss of form, or employer financial constraints.

 

The programme has also been designed so that if an athlete falls short of their ultimate goal, they have the skills, knowledge and qualifications to pursue a secondary or supplementary career. Exit routes could include Higher Education, or working in the sport & recreation industry as a coach, sport development officer, fitness instructor, and so on.

 

For England Basketball the basic philosophy of AASE is to "Support (elite) athletes in an educational environment". Our vision is to see the AASE programs become a key part of the Basketball Player Pathway in England.