Supporting Athletes Beyond the Game: Switch the Play Partners with YOUR Personal Training
Posted on: 02 March 2026 by Switch the Play
For many professional athletes, the end of a sporting career comes sooner than expected and retirement is rarely a planned event. Around 70% of players don’t finish on their own terms, often due to injury or contracts not being renewed, and over half experience financial or mental health struggles within five years of retiring. Whilst medals, records and wins are celebrated, the transition that follows is often overlooked.
The reality is stark: most athletes will need a second career. And for many, the biggest challenge isn’t acquiring new qualifications; it’s redefining their identity, finding direction and navigating life outside the structure of elite sport.
At Switch The Play Foundation, the only charity dedicated to supporting athletes through this transition, we believe that a sporting career should open doors, not close them, and that athletes deserve structured, personalised support when the game ends.
Partnering for change
That’s why we are proud to partner with YOUR Personal Training, one of the UK’s leading personal training brands. Together, we are creating a fully supported pathway that helps athletes move from elite sport into sustainable careers in fitness and coaching. This partnership is about more than qualifications, it’s about providing the tools, guidance and community that athletes need to thrive in the next stage of their lives.
James Lorey, Co-owner and Director of YOUR Personal Training, explains the vision behind the partnership: “Elite athletes already have the resilience, discipline and mindset, our role is to give them the pathway. At the heart of this partnership is one simple belief: people deserve options. When values align, partnerships don’t just make sense, they create real impact.”
For Imelda Phillips, Athlete Services Manager at Switch The Play Foundation, this work is deeply personal. A former international athlete who represented Ireland in athletics, Imelda understands first-hand the emotional and practical challenges of transitioning out of elite sport. Now, she works directly with athletes navigating that same journey and is collaborating closely with YOUR Personal Training to ensure they feel supported, confident and prepared for what comes next.
To mark the launch of the partnership, Imelda recently joined YOUR Personal Training’s podcast, YOUR PT POD, where she shared her own story, from elite competition to building a career in high-performance sport, and now supporting athletes beyond the game. The conversation highlights why structured transition support matters and how this partnership will create meaningful opportunities for athletes across the UK.
As Imelda explains: “Partnerships are powerful when values align. When you have the right people in your corner, you create real opportunities for athletes beyond sport.”
Support for athletes every step of the way
Athletes will benefit from a wide-ranging, personalised support package designed to address the key challenges of career transition:
- Personalised mentoring: One-to-one guidance ensures every athlete has a tailored journey, focussing on their unique strengths and aspirations.
- Mental health and wellbeing support: Transitioning out of sport can be overwhelming. Access to professional wellbeing resources ensures athletes are supported both mentally and emotionally.
- Career pathway planning: Structured planning helps athletes explore meaningful career options and take concrete steps toward their next role.
- Learning hub and athlete community: Athletes gain access to a learning hub and a community of like-minded individuals navigating similar challenges.
- Level 3 Personal Training qualification: Delivered by YOUR Personal Training, this recognised qualification opens doors to a career in fitness, providing practical skills and industry credibility.
- Ongoing CPD, gym access, and long-term career progression: Support doesn’t end with a certificate. Athletes continue to receive development opportunities and resources for sustainable career growth.
Why athlete transition support matters
Athletes dedicate years of their lives to sport. When that chapter ends, the next should be full of possibility, not uncertainty and why this partnership with YOUR Personal Training will help support those athletes gain access to structured support, career opportunities and a community that understands their journey.
“At Switch the Play, our focus is always on the athlete and supporting them in what’s next,” says Switch the Play’s CEO, Rob Young. “We’re so grateful to YOUR Personal Training for their support and partnership, and for recognising the value and impact of the work we do. By partnering with them, we’re providing a structured, supportive route for athletes to explore their identity, strengthen their wellbeing and build long-term careers after sport. This initiative recognises that transition isn’t just about finding a job, it’s about rediscovering purpose, building confidence and turning elite sporting experience into future opportunities.”
Together, we can ensure life after sport is not just an end, but an exciting new beginning.
For more information about athlete transition and support please email Switch the Play’s Athlete Engagement Manager, Imelda Phillips: imelda.phillips@switchtheplay.com.