Athlete Support Officer wins respected ‘Practitioner of the Year’ award
Athlete Support Officer Kelly Jones was awarded the ‘TASS Practitioners Practitioner of the Year’ award at the annual National TASS Conference.
Kelly leads on ‘Dual Career’ lifestyle support for Solent Performance students and external TASS (The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) athletes.
Head of Sport Programmes at Solent University, Matt Bishop says: “This prestigious award is testament and deserved recognition for the commitment, dedication, and care that Kelly shows the programme and all that are involved in it. TASS and their ‘Dual Career’ programme is a vital part of Solent’s performance sport pathway, and this award is another example of how the University and its staff are recognised nationally.”
With well over 200 practitioners nationally, four University staff were shortlisted from across the UK and Kelly was announced as the winner during the annual awards ceremony at Birmingham University.
A representative from the National TASS Conference said: “Speaking to athletes who have graduated the programme, it is clear they value Kelly's support and help throughout their journey. Always going the extra mile to support her athletes. She is dedicated to continuing the dual career accreditation and Kurt TASS hub. Her dedication to her position makes us all better practitioners.”
Of the recognition Kelly commented: "It is a huge honour to win one of the first Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) practitioner awards. To be nominated by colleagues and peers across the university sector made this extra special. I feel incredibly lucky to work with a variety of talented student athletes and grateful to have the support of Matt Bishop and the Solent Sport team. It was a proud day and one that will stay with me for a long time."
