Six SkillsActive AASE Apprentices featured in National Apprenticeship Service Hall of Fame.

SkillsActive is extremely proud to have six of our former Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) Apprentices featured in the National Apprenticeship Service Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame features: Rebecca Adlington, Sarah Stevenson, Lauren Steadman, Katie Clarke, Oliver Hynd and Sarah Barrow, all of whom have represented Great Britain at international level.

Upon completing her AASE Apprenticeship, swimmer, Rebecca Adlington became a household name, winning two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and two bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

Swimmers, Oliver Hynd and Lauren Steadman have both represented Great Britain at the Paralympic Games. Oliver secured gold, silver and bronze medals at London 2012, while Lauren Steadman swam in her first Paralympics aged just 15, when she competed in Beijing, in 2008.

Sarah Stevenson became the first British Taekwondo World Champion when she secured the title in 2001 and later went on to become the first Team GB Taekwondo Olympic Medallist when she won bronze at the Beijing 2008 Games.

Katie Clarke and Sarah Barrow are also esteemed AASE graduates. Katie Clarke competed in the Synchronised Swimming final at the London 2012 and Sarah Barrow achieved her goal of being selected for 2012 Olympic Diving Team.

All six AASE graduate cite AASE as an important step in realising their potential and reaching the level of an elite athlete.

Jemma Turner, AASE Programme Manager at SkilsActive commented "It is fantastic opportunity for SkillsActive to highlight just some of our AASE Apprentices' success stories through the National Apprenticeship Service Hall of Fame".

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) supports, funds and co-ordinates the delivery of Apprenticeships throughout England. They are responsible for increasing the number of Apprenticeship opportunities and providing a dedicated, responsive service for both employers and learners.

Lauren Steadman, AASE Athlete and Paralympian

Interview for National Apprenticeship Week - Lauren Steadman

Tell us a bit about yourself

I'm currently studying Psychology at Portsmouth University. Last year I competed at my second Paralympic Games, where I qualified for the final of both the 100m Freestyle (S9) and the 400m Freestyle (S9).

 

What's your proudest sporting moment?

My proudest moment was probably qualifying for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, I was only 14, so it was quite unexpected. Also, having 17,000 people cheering for me at the London Games last year was a pretty incredible feeling.

 

When did you undertake the AASE apprenticeship?

I was on the AASE programme during my A levels, which was from 2009 to 2011.

 

How has the AASE apprenticeship programme made you proud?

The AASE programme made me think about the goals I should be setting myself and allowed me to understand the 'how and why' behind my swimming training. It also really helped me to get to know myself more as an athlete. I was able to develop my sporting CV, for example I undertook a life guarding qualification, which for me was challenge. I also met lots of inspirational sports experts that aided me through the programme.

 

What skills did you develop during your time on the AASE apprenticeship?

I gained a lot of valuable advice concerning nutrition, which has been really useful. The AASE apprenticeship helped me to develop my mental skills. The sports psychology sections of the apprenticeship gave me a more positive outlook, allowing me to achieve the goals which I set myself. Overall, AASE gave me the knowledge and the confidence to be a better athlete.

 

Would you recommend the AASE apprenticeship?

Yes, I definitely would. I enjoyed my two years and felt myself develop as an athlete. It's important to get a little guidance outside of coaching, in order to better understand what it's like at an elite level, and AASE provided this. It can be daunting going from a National to an International level athlete, but AASE made the transition a lot easier and more natural.

Oliver Hynd, MBE and AASE Apprentice – Interview for National Apprentice Week 2013

Interview for National Apprentice Week 2013 - Oliver Hynd

Tell us a bit about yourself

I'm Oliver Hynd, MBE and I'm a Paralympic swimmer from Kirkby in Ashfield. As well as being a European Champion, I've won gold, silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.


What's your proudest sporting moment?

I've been really fortunate to have experienced a lot of great moments where I have made myself and my family proud. Of the many highlights, a couple which stand out are becoming the Paralympic champion in front of a home crowd and sharing the podium with my older brother Sam, after we both got medals. There is always a great sense of pride and satisfaction at doing well for your country and all those who have supported you along the way.


When did you undertake the AASE apprenticeship?

I've recently graduated from the AASE programme and I have been putting into practice all of the new skills I have developed on a daily basis.


How has the AASE apprenticeship programme made you proud?

Completing the apprenticeship gave me an enormous sense of personal satisfaction. To gain a qualification in an area that I enjoy so much has been a real help to me. It has also been useful to be able to apply what I have learned in my swimming on a daily basis. The training I have gone through during my apprenticeship will also help me to develop my career options.


What skills did you develop during your time on the AASE apprenticeship?

The AASE programme was particularly valuable for me and helped me to prepare for the Paralympics. Its flexibility allowed me to be supported in my educational development as well as my sporting commitments.


Would you recommend the AASE apprenticeship?

Yes, AASE gives you an understanding of many skills that runs alongside your training helping you to grow as an individual. I have had access to quality coaching hours and I've also benefited from focused and timely input from all the people involved in the delivery of the ASSE programme.

Sports Stars Recognised in New Year Honours

Britain's Olympic and Paralympic stars have been rewarded for services to their respective sports in the New Years honours list.

Rower Ben Ainslie and cyclist Bradley Wiggins have received Knighthoods, whilst Paralympic cyclist Sarah Storey was made a Dame. Also amongst the recipients were Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, Victoria Pendleton, David Wier and Katherine Grainger who all received OBEs.

The annual honours list was this year expanded to take into account Britain's highly successful summer of sport. Other notable recipients were Andy Murray, who added his first Grand Slam title to his Olympic medals and Ellie Simmonds who won an impressive 4 medals in the pool during the Paralympics.

The cabinet office reports that awards for sport this year made up 10% per cent of the honours list. In addition to the elite sportsmen and women honoured, those engaged in grassroots sports were also recognised with a BEM going to Christoper Sellars who has been voluntarily coaching swimming at a local pool in Derbyshire five days a week and for over 30 years.

This added recognition for Britain's sporting stars will hopefully go a long way in securing the Olympic and Paralympic legacy. SkillsActive as the Sector Skill Council which covers sport hopes that the success and recognition which these individuals have received will help to further increase sports participation leading up to Rio 2016.

Mayor's Sports Legacy Fund

This project is now closed.


Contact SkillsActive | Work for SkillsActive | Our Board | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
SkillsActive UK is a registered charity no. 1098336 and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales no. 4661021, registered office Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG.

© 2013 SkillsActive

Sign In