Answer:
1. Teamwork
Explanation: ‘There’s no I in team’. It’s the most used term in the sporting skills index, and yet the reasons for this are well earned. A boat will only race at its fastest when all rowers move in one rhythm, whilst a goal scored in football is thanks to the varying skillset of the team.
Learning to work with others and appreciating how different talents can contribute to one goal is essential in every workplace and industry.
2. Leadership
Explanation: From captain of your team to captain of industry, developing leadership skills in sport is crucial to any future employment, whether you’re in charge or not.
Making tough decisions about the team list or the workforce; developing the ability to inspire, motivate and lead your colleagues; are skills that are always in demand.
3. Time management
Explanation: Any university athlete who still wanted to achieve their desired academic grade will know the importance of this.
Juggling daily training sessions with the demands of lectures, seminars, and coursework (as well as maintaining a social life!) act as an essential practice for maintaining a work-life balance in the ‘real world’.
4. Competition & sportsmanship
Explanation: Wanting to win goes hand in hand with accepting defeat and there is no better teacher. A drive for success is sought by every employer and found in all athletes. However, learning to accept loss is a much tougher lesson, but can be much more valuable.
Whether that teaches you to brush off rejection or learn from your mistakes is your call, but sooner or later most of us will face that in the workplace.
5. Handling pressure
Explanation: It’s all about adrenalin! From preparing for the big game to standing on the start line of the final race, coping with high-pressure situations is a natural occurrence in the sport.
Whilst not all careers are high stress, companies always value an individual capable of coping when times get tough; whether that be staying calm in an interview or meeting a short deadline.
6. Management & responsibility
Explanation: Sports clubs don’t run themselves. Securing new equipment, raising funds, and maintaining club numbers are just some of the tasks required of committee members; providing a brilliant environment to develop and practice managerial skills before leaving university.
7. Commitment
Explanation: Last but not least, no medal is won without dedication, early starts, and personal sacrifice. It’s that grit, determination, and focus given by all university athletes to their sport that is valued so highly by employers.
