Team GB and ParalympicsGB aim to unite and inspire the nation through the power of Olympic and Paralympic sport and to enable everyday people to achieve extraordinary things.
With this in mind, UK Sport and the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) are collaborating with Team GB and ParalympicsGB on the development of a leadership programme designed to develop individuals specifically for the context of Games time leadership and leadership roles in the future.
Future Games Leaders aims to provide a unique, career defining experience that best prepares future Games leaders through a combination of learning sessions and the exposure to the Games environment.
Alongside UKSI we will deliver the first part of the experience that will start in the UK in the months building up to the Paris 2024 Games. The second part, delivered in collaboration with Team GB’s Ambition Programme and ParalympicsGB Paralympic Inspiration Programme (PIP), will allow for a highly immersive experience in Paris. The final part will culminate with reflection and future action planning back in the UK.
The journey
The programme is already well underway with the cohort engaging in a variety of online workshops and additional tasks to build their understanding of self, each other and the Games environment and what this means for leaders. The first in-person workshop was a great opportunity to connect in person, spend some informal time together and focus in on the topic of leading and influencing others. This 2 day workshop entailed:
- Stimulus on stakeholder management and engagement
- Storytelling from those who have held Games time leadership roles
- Scenarios of stakeholder management within Games time, with the cohort navigating discussion and decision points in small groups
- Exploring effective communication, influencing, listening, relationship building, trust and persuasion with an ex-hostage negotiator and current negotiator trainer, Kevin Taylor.
Who's taking part?
We were delighted to select 16 individuals onto the programme, all who have significant existing leadership experience and are on a realistic trajectory, and aspire, to be in a Games leadership role in the next 4-6 years.
| Andy Partridge |
Ice Hockey UK |
| Ben Holliss |
UK Sport |
| Clare Lobb |
Modern Pentathlon / UKSI |
| David Hart |
British Gymnastics |
| Emma Anderson |
UK Sport |
| Jack Grundy |
RYA / British Sailing |
| Kearnan Myall |
GB Snowsport |
| Keir Worth |
Paddle UK |
| Lynsey Marsh |
UKSI / British Gymnastics |
| Lucinda Whittaker |
Sport Climbing / BMC |
| Martin Dyan 3x3 |
Basketball / British Basketball Federation |
| Matt Jefferson |
British Triathlon |
| Sam Cumming |
UKSI |
| Shaun Marples |
Para Table Tennis |
| Tom Smith |
British Triathlon |
| Essi Aittasalo |
Skateboard GB / Breaking GB |
What next?
The group’s next workshop focuses on decision making, followed by understanding the dynamics of Games time performance planning. All before the final preparations take place for our immersive experience in Paris, where we will be aiming to expose the cohort to key environments; Team GB and ParalympicsGB house, the village, performance lodge, sports sessions etc.
To maximise the time in environment we'll also be ensuring the cohort are tuned into what they are seeing, hearing and feeling that is unique to a Games, engaging in scenario based learning, and continually reflecting and offering feedback to each other.