Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is a Sport England funded programme that helps talented athletes balance the demands of high-performance sport with education, training and personal development.

HOW DOES TASS WORK?

Each year, national governing bodies (NGBs) are allocated a limited number of TASS places. Snowsport England currently has 20 athlete places across all Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

Athletes are nominated for TASS by Snowsport England and, if selected, are assigned to a TASS Delivery Site. Delivery Sites are chosen based on location and travel convenience, helping athletes access support as easily as possible.

Before receiving support, athletes must complete the required onboarding process with both Snowsport England and TASS. This includes submitting the necessary paperwork and attending induction sessions delivered by TASS and their assigned Delivery Site.

Throughout the programme, athletes are expected to actively engage with the support available. This includes attending training sessions, practitioner appointments and educational workshops at their Delivery Site.

Support may include:

Strength and conditioning
Physiotherapy
Nutrition advice
Sport psychology
Personal development opportunities

Please note: Demand for TASS places is greater than the number of scholarships available. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection for the programme.

WHAT Does the Tass programme include?

The full package of sport science services includes:

Strength & conditioning

Strength and conditioning support helps athletes develop the physical qualities needed to perform at their best while reducing the risk of injury. Programmes are tailored to the individual athlete, taking into account their sport, stage of development and training demands, and are designed in collaboration with coaches to support long-term athletic progression.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy focuses on keeping athletes healthy, available for training and performing consistently. In addition to supporting rehabilitation following injury, physiotherapists identify movement limitations and areas of weakness to help prevent future injuries and optimise physical performance.

Performance nutrition

Performance nutrition provides athletes with practical advice on how to fuel training, competition and recovery. Support is tailored to the athlete's individual needs and covers topics such as hydration, recovery strategies, competition preparation, travel nutrition and eating well to support both health and performance.

Sport psychology

Sport psychology helps athletes develop the mental skills needed to perform consistently under pressure. Athletes work with practitioners on areas such as confidence, motivation, concentration, resilience, emotional regulation, goal setting and competition preparation to maximise performance.

Personal development

Personal development supports athletes to develop the skills required to thrive both within and beyond sport. Practitioners help athletes manage the demands of balancing sport with education, employment and everyday life, while developing independence, decision-making, wellbeing and planning for future career transitions.

Comprehensive medical scheme and mental health support

The TASS Medical Scheme provides eligible athletes with access to additional support for sports-related injuries and illnesses. The scheme is designed to complement NHS services by helping athletes access appropriate treatment when required, ensuring they receive timely care to support their return to training and competition.

All TASS athletes also have access to confidential mental health and wellbeing support throughout their time on the programme. This includes a 24-hour helpline and access to qualified professionals who can provide guidance, counselling and structured support whenever it is needed.