SkillsActive has launched its Register of Personal Development Practitioners in Sport (RPDPS) to help athletes achieve their potential by gaining access to qualified, professional guidance to helping balance athletes’ sporting schedules with their off-field commitments.

The RPDPS will recognise qualified professionals who work in the area of personal development within sport and was formally launched on 27 February.

Qualified professionals also work with younger athletes embarking on the pathway to sporting success at the highest level, such as those on the Skills Active Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) sports performance programme.

As an independent public register, RPDPS recognises the qualifications and expertise of professionals who work in the area of personal development within sport. The register will be exclusively for those who hold appropriate qualifications and experience, and who complete the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

Lizzy Yarnold, British skeleton racer and gold medal winner at this year’s Winter Olympics, said: "Competing in the Winter Games at Sochi was an incredible, intense experience. I believe it's so important to balance that intensity with quality support away from the track, such as provided by supportive performance lifestyle professionals."

Speaking to Leisure Opportunities, Steve Mitchell, head of consultancy at SkillsActive who operate RPDPS said: “The register itself just took one year to launch. The longer process over six years was getting everyone together and on the same page across a number of sports and then to scope a bid to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and put together the steering group to design what you see and what has been launched.

“Sport is becoming a lucrative industry, which means it sometimes attracts so-called rogue traders to the sector who offer below-standard advice and services. By creating National Occupational Standards, RPDPS assures national governing bodies that the professionals working with athletes and players are fully qualified and competent in what is a very sensitive job role.”

Leading organisations involved in the independent public Register’s development include the Rugby Football Union, English Institute of Sport, England and Wales Cricket Board, Sport Wales, and the Professional Players Federation.

The new register will also benefit organisations looking for professionally recognised practitioners. Already established professionals are currently working with some of the UK’s elite athletes across all sectors of sport.