DiSE stands for Diploma in Sporting Excellence. It is an athlete education programme which runs alongside BWL’s Talent Pathway. The programme has been designed to meet the needs of young athletes aged between 16-18 who have the potential to progress within the sport of weightlifting.

British Weight Lifting DiSE programme

What is DiSE?

The Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme is run in partnership between British Weight Lifting and Loughborough College. It’s a 2-year programme where aspiring athletes can learn skills that equip them to succeed in both sport and life.

As part of the programme, athletes will be exposed to the BWL training syllabus. By the end of the DiSE programme athletes will have an understanding of the specific skills and behaviours that are required to become a great weightlifter. Athletes will then be able to determine what is optimal for them and begin to adapt training to best meet their individual needs.

The DiSE programme will also provide athletes with unique opportunities to work with specialist practitioners in areas such as psychology, nutrition and lifestyle. Athletes will also be able to engage with BWL coaches who can provide support to them and their personal coach.

As part of the 2-year programme, athletes: 

• Receive mentoring and support.
• Are equipped with the necessary skills, behaviours and abilities to progress on the Talent Pathway.
• Attend residential camps and train in a high-performance setting.
• Receive objective feedback on their technical and physical development.
• Are given access to BWL performance analysis tools.
• Have opportunities for 1:1 sessions with specialist support staff.
• Are able to access educational content through a mixture of online and face-to-face workshops.

Upon successful completion of the DiSE qualification athletes will receive 64 UCAS points (currently equivalent to BTEC extended Diploma at Merit, Pass, Pass and 2 x A levels at C’s). The Diploma in Sporting Excellence can add weight to your personal statement or CV if you are to pursue an alternative career and field of study alongside sport.

How is the programme run?

The programme is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and online learning. Athletes who are part DiSE are invited to be part of four 2-day training camps during the course of the programme.

Each training camp integrates a combination of technical, physical and tactical training sessions to help athletes understand the demands of weightlifting, and how they can better improve their performance.

Athletes will also engage in workshops throughout the 2-year programme. These workshops are delivered through a blend of face-to-face and online learning and are designed to provide athletes with the tools to help them to become not just better in their sport, but also more able to cope with the demands of life outside of sport.

 

What topics does DiSE cover?

Over the 2-year programme athletes will complete the BWL DiSE training syllabus, which includes focused sessions around technical, tactical and physical training. Athletes will cover a number of additional modules across a 2-year programme, including:  

• Injury prevention
• Psychological skills
• Nutrition
• Lifestyle
• Career planning
• Financial planning
• Communication and media
• Anti-Doping (Lift Clean awareness)
• Health and Safety
• Culture, values and behaviours

Athletes will also have an opportunity to access additional CPD courses to further their knowledge of the sport.

Who is eligible for DiSE?

Every athlete who is interested in being part of the British Weight Lifting DiSE programme will need to complete an expression of interest. British Weight Lifting and Loughborough College will then complete eligibility checks to determine if an athlete is eligible for the DiSE programme. Some key eligibility requirements are listed below:

• Athletes must be aged between 16 -18 (born between 01/09/2007 - 31/08/2008/about to enter Year 12).
• Athletes must be in full time education (or approved part time study).
• Athletes should be on the British Weight Lifting regional talent pathway programme, or will be enrolling onto the talent pathway programme
• Athletes must be prepared to sign up to a 2-year programme (commitments will avoid A-Level exam periods)
• Athletes must be a current resident in England

Apply for DiSE 2024-26

The running of British Weight Lifting’s DiSE programme 2024-26 is subject to a successful funding application. We will notify athletes on the result of our funding application as soon as the process is completed.

Athletes who are interested in being part of the 2024-26 DiSE programme can complete an application form by clicking the button below. Your answers allow us to check eligibility and select athletes for the programme.

The information we require is spread over a number of short responses with an anticipated completion time of approximately 20 mins.

All responses will be collected and saved securely according to BWL and Loughborough College GDPR protocols

Please email mark.hill@britishweightlifting.org if you have any queries.

APPLY HERE