The UK's high performance sports agency
9 February 2010
The UK's high performance sports agency
9 February 2010
UK Sport distributes Lottery funding through the World Class Performance Programme to help our best and most talented athletes achieve podium success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athletes are nominated for support by the governing body of their sport. In addition to the programme support provided through the NGB, athletes can apply for an Athlete Personal Award. This is a contribution to the living and personal sporting costs incurred whilst training and competing as an elite athlete.
The APA application process is managed by UK Sport. Nominated athletes receive an application form which must be completed in full and returned promptly. An offer letter will then be sent out if the athlete qualifies for an award. The exact amount of the APA will vary depending on your performance category and any other income you receive only. We do not take into account your gender, race, age, religion belief, sexual orientation or any disability that you may have in determining the amount of your award. Click here for more information on APA amounts and means testing.
Each APA is offered for a maximum of 12 months. If an athlete is nominated again at the end of an award period, they will need to complete a new application form.
If your income changes significantly during a 12 month cycle you must inform us, as it may affect the award you receive. Your award level may also change if your performance category changes following a major championship and/or performance review by your sport.
Your APA is subject to the terms and conditions of award. It is important you read these in conjunction with your APA offer letter and these guidance notes. These terms and conditions relate to your APA award from UK Sport and are separate to the Athlete Agreement between you and your governing body.
APAs are paid by BACS transfer into an athlete’s bank account. You will need to complete and sign a Bank Details form when you first apply for an APA, and if you subsequently change your account. If you need to nominate someone else to receive the award on your behalf this can be done using the same form. Please note that we can only pay APAs into UK bank accounts.
It is your individual responsibility to manage the Personal taxation, National Insurance and Pensions aspects of your personal finance and UK Sport strongly recommends that all athletes seek appropriate expert advice on this area either from an accountant or independent financial adviser.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) may seek to tax your APA if they consider you a “professional” athlete. If your sole income from sporting activities is your APA, it is unlikely that HMRC will consider you to be “professional” and so your Award is unlikely to be taxable. If, however, you have other sports-related income, aside from your APA, you may as a result be liable for tax on that income and/or your APA.
More information including detailed guidance notes on taxation and a list of British Athletes Commission-recommended accountants can be found on the BAC website.
If you are receiving any benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions, you must declare these on your APA application form. If you are receiving any means-tested benefits this will result in you receiving a General Purpose Training Support (GPTS) APA rather than a living costs award. The GPTS has been specifically designed to cover expenses other than general living costs. This means that it does not impact on your benefits. An agreement is in place with DWP that athletes can receive both means-tested benefits and a GPTS APA at the same time. You need to declare your GPTS APA to DWP in the same way as you would for any other income. Click here for more information on APA amounts and means testing.
As a UK Sport funded athlete you will be supported by the Performance Lifestyle Programme, an individualised support service designed to help each athlete create the unique environment for success. Trained athlete advisers, are available to give guidance on maximising the performance focus while fulfilling other important commitments such as personal development, education, career, family or financial commitments. Athlete advisers work closely with coaches and support staff, as part of an integrated team, to minimise potential concerns, conflicts and distractions, all of which can be detrimental to performance.
An athlete adviser will be assigned to you and help is available in areas such as budgeting and finance, dealing with the media, time management, finding an athlete friendly employer, individualised education programmes and preparation for life beyond sport. More information can be found on the ‘athlete zone’ on our web site.
As part of the Performance Lifestyle Programme Podium athletes are also entitled to apply for an Education Award to contribute towards the costs of further education, career development or gaining vocational skills. Applications and details on planning and how to integrate study with sporting commitments are processed through your Performance Lifestyle adviser.
Athletes supported by WCP funding in fully-funded Olympic and Paralympic sports are covered with full medical insurance. This Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS) is administered by the British Olympic Association and you should receive details directly from them when you join a programme. In the event you need treatment/assessment or to make a claim, you must contact your team doctor in the first instance, who has the responsibility to approve and recommend any treatment/investigation.
As an athlete, you are responsible for ensuring that you compete cleanly and fairly in sport. You are solely responsible for the decisions and choices you make and for your own behaviour and actions. In sport, you are expected to abide by all of the rules, and a set of important rules include those protecting sport from doping.
To stay drug-free, it's essential you understand the implications of the World Anti-Doping Code and the UK Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations that outline your rights and responsibilities as an athlete.
For more on anti-doping and direct access to the information you need to fulfil your responsibilities, go to www.100percentme.co.uk. The web site includes information on:
You are also strongly advised to read the terms and conditions associated with your APA, as a doping offence could result in the removal of your funding.
In the event that you wish to apply for a mortgage, or need a reference for a letting agency, please contact your Athlete Investment Officer (AIO) at UK Sport, who will be able to substantiate the award amount you receive to support any application. As each award is for a maximum of 12 months and is subject to regular performance reviews you will need to consider carefully and take advice on any long term financial commitments.
If you are not recommended for continuation on a UK Sport funded programme, or you have decided to retire, you may be able to receive a period of notification/transitional funding (this does not apply in the event of disciplinary removal). Please note that this period may be built into the standard award period for your sport. Your Performance Lifestyle Adviser will also be able to help you at this time and you are strongly advised to obtain their help and guidance.
©2010 UK Sport
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