Athlete Mentor

Overview

The Youth Sport Trust i is looking for current or retired elite Athletes to join our Athlete Mentor team as part of the Learning Academy. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work across a range of our school programmes, initiatives and events. As an Athlete Mentor you will visit schools, sharing your personal experiences as a successful athlete to help young people fulfil their potential.

One of the programmes we are recruiting for is the Wimbledon Foundation Set for Success Programme. The Set for Success programme aims to improve young people's life chances, their positive social engagement and their involvement in education by helping them to develop their confidence, aspirations, resilience and self‑esteem through leadership in sport.

The programme is supported with ongoing Athlete Mentor delivery and by teacher‑led school sessions. Athlete mentors delivering on this programme would be trained to deliver 8 half‑day visits and 1 full‑day event visit.

Our Athlete Mentor work takes place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we welcome applicants from all areas. Most of the work will be based in your local/regional area and for larger events the athlete mentor may be expected to travel further afield.

In line with current programme delivery priorities and to ensure sufficient regional coverage, we are particularly looking for athletes based in specific areas of England, Scotland & Wales (including Welsh speaking) & Northern Ireland. These are all detailed in the attached background information and within the application form itself.

If you do not live within these specified areas but are interested in future opportunities to join the Athlete Mentor team, please e‑mail jobs with an expression of interest (you do not need to submit an application in this instance).

Successful applicants will be contracted to the Youth Sport Trust as Casual Workers, and the work will be primarily during school term time. There would be an expectation that you could deliver a minimum of 8‑10 half‑days / full‑days next academic year, and the initial contract will run from September 2026, through the 2026‑2027 academic year, finishing in August 2027.

• £272 full day / £205 half day
• plus holiday pay %

Closing date for applications: 11:59pm on Sunday 28 June 2026.

Shortlisting will take place week commencing Monday 29 June. All successful candidates will be contacted by email by Friday 3 July 2026.

First interview and selection day:
Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an initial online interview week commencing Monday 6 July and, if successful, followed by a face‑to‑face selection day and formal interview on Wednesday 22nd July (9.30am - 4.30pm) in Loughborough.

Benefits include generous annual leave entitlement, health cash plan, employee assistance programme and volunteering days.

At the Youth Sport Trust you will join a forward‑thinking, purpose‑driven team committed to improving young lives. Our values underpin everything we do, and we pride ourselves on a work culture which fosters innovation, creativity and personal passion. If you are motivated by purpose, skilled at turning strategy into action, and eager to amplify a cause that makes a real difference to children across the UK, we’d love to hear from you.

Youth Sport Trust believes that diversity drives excellence, and that representation is important. We therefore positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

Please note that this position is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Check.

Reg Charity No: 1086915