Our mission
Switch the Play Foundation is the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting athletes as they transition into life beyond professional sport. Through personalised mentoring, learning and development programmes, career pathway guidance and mental wellbeing support, we help athletes develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to thrive after sport.
By addressing the unique challenges athletes face when leaving professional sport, we empower them to unlock their potential, explore new opportunities and create meaningful futures beyond their athletic careers.
When it all finishes, it’s a very, very difficult process to go through. You will never be prepared for the day that comes when you’re not turning up to your club to play your sport again.
Why our work matters
For most athletes, years are spent preparing for success in sport, whereas little support is given to prepare them for what comes next.
Careers can end unexpectedly through injury, deselection or the non-renewal of a contract, leaving athletes to navigate the loss of identity, purpose, routine, financial security and support networks, often all at once. Even planned retirements can bring significant emotional and practical challenges.
The need for support has never been greater:
- 97% of athletes on talent pathways won't make it to the top of their sport.
- 70% of sporting careers end due to injury, deselection or contract non-renewal.
- 60% of Olympians and Paralympians feel unprepared for life after sport.
- 54% of former athletes report experiencing mental health concerns after retirement.
- 52% of athletes experience financial difficulties within five years of retiring.
These figures highlight why athlete transition isn't just the end of a sporting career, it's the beginning of a critical life transition.
At Switch the Play Foundation, we're committed to ensuring no athlete has to face it alone.
I was lost. I didn’t know who would help me or who would care as I’d retired 14 years ago. I thought I’d missed my window. As soon as I got in touch with Switch the Play Foundation I felt supported.
Our impact 2025–26
We support athletes at every stage of their transition beyond professional sport. Between 2025 and 2026, we provided tailored guidance, mentoring, career support and psychological wellbeing services to ensure athletes had the support they needed during one of the biggest life changes every athlete will face.
- 3,446 athletes supported
- 208 athletes received intensive one-to-one support
- 214 mentoring sessions delivered
- 157 Psychological Care Pathway sessions delivered
- 56% of beneficiaries were female
- 44% of beneficiaries were male
These achievements are about so much more than numbers. They're about athletes finding confidence again, discovering new opportunities and getting the support they need to build the next chapter of their lives.
As demand for our services continues to grow, we're expanding our support to reach more athletes than ever before.
It’s been powerful and reassuring to hear and share stories with people who truly understand what it means to leave behind the structure, identity, and intensity of professional sport.
