ASAS

About ASAS 

The Accreditation for Student-Athlete Support (ASAS) is designed to ensure that all high-performing student-athletes in Ireland have the opportunity to successfully combine sport and education. Grounded in the principle of the right to education, ASAS recognises and supports Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that create environments where student-athletes can thrive both academically and athletically. 

ASAS works to identify and establish a national network of accredited HEIs that demonstrate good practice in dual-career support. All HEIs are encouraged to apply for ASAS accreditation, which acknowledges their commitment to providing flexible, structured, and student-centred approaches to athlete support. 

Why Dual Careers Matter 

Balancing the demands of education or full-time work alongside a sporting career is known as a “dual career”. Over the past two decades, more athletes have engaged in higher education, recognising the value of gaining academic qualifications before athletic retirement. Research highlights multiple benefits of pursuing a dual career, including: 

• Enhanced athletic performance through better life balance
• A stronger and more integrated personal identity
• Greater resilience and personal development
• Increased employability and career readiness after sport
• Healthier long-term adjustment to life beyond elite competition 

However, the demands on high-performance athletes differ significantly from their peers. Training and competition schedules, international travel, and accountability to multiple stakeholders create pressures that require tailored, flexible support systems. Without these, athletes may struggle to succeed in either sphere. 

The Need for Structured Support 

Globally, best practice models show the importance of formal, structured dual-career environments. Institutes such as INSEP in France, TASS in the UK, and the Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network in New Zealand have demonstrated how coordinated systems of support can help athletes achieve success in both sport and education. 

In Ireland, while many HEIs, sporting bodies, and players’ associations already provide valuable assistance, much of this relies on informal arrangements and personal goodwill. Research shows that this approach is not sufficient, and risks limiting athletes’ potential. 

ASAS aims to change this by: 

• Establishing a clear, nationally recognised standard for dual-career support
• Providing HEIs with structured guidance on good practice
• Creating stronger connections between sport and education providers
• Ensuring consistency and fairness across the sector
• Giving athletes confidence that their educational and sporting ambitions will be supported in tandem 

Towards a National Network 

By building a network of accredited HEIs, ASAS will not only support athletes but also bring tangible benefits to institutions and sport. Accredited HEIs will gain recognition for their leadership in athlete support, while sports and governing bodies will benefit from a more coordinated and transparent system. 

Ultimately, ASAS seeks to create an environment where student-athletes can reach their full potential—on the field of play, in the classroom, and in their future careers. 

Evolving the ASAS Framework 

ASAS is not a static system. Building on research, best practice, and the experiences of student-athletes and institutions across Ireland, Sport Ireland Institute is working with partners to evolve the framework. This ensures that ASAS remains relevant, evidence-based, and aligned with international standards in dual-career support. 

The next stage of development will strengthen consistency across institutions, expand the support network, and embed quality assurance measures that benefit both athletes and education providers. 

The new ASAS framework will be officially launched on January 2026 at the Sport Ireland Dual Career Forum. Updates and resources will be shared with all stakeholders following the launch. 

Current Universities Accredited 

Fully accredited HEIs: 

• Queens University Belfast 

• Technological University Dublin 

• University College Cork  

• University of Limerick 

• Ulster University 

• Dublin City University 

• Maynooth University 

• National College of Ireland 

• Setanta College 

Affiliate Status HEIs: 

• Trinity College Dublin 

• University of Galway 

• South East Technological University  

• Atlantic Technological University 

• Technological University of the Shannon