FAQ

Athletes Network connects active and former elite athletes with the business world. It is a cross-sport network that supports athletes during, in transition, and after their elite sports career in all aspects of their professional career. Besides the valuable contacts in the business sector, Athletes Network also serves as an alumni community where like-minded people can exchange ideas and share their experiences.

Athletes Network consists of various individuals from different backgrounds in Alpine skiing, football, cycling, floorball, human resources, and communication. Lia & Niels are still active in their sports careers and pursue a dual career. Rahel, Beni, Pascal, Danilo, Mario, Jens, and Martina have already finished their elite sports careers and found their way into the business world. Dave, Fabio, Lucas, Marion, and Olivia combine their passion for sports with their profession, bringing expertise from human resources, communication, and sports management.

Basically, all elite athletes are invited to become members of Athletes Network. However, the following criteria must be met for free membership:

Individual Sports

• As an active elite athlete, you must be at the national top level (e.g., holding a Swiss Olympic Card, professional dancer, belonging to a national team, or participating in Swiss championships).
• As a former elite athlete, you must have belonged to the national top level (e.g., holding a Swiss Olympic Card, professional dancer, belonging to a national team, or participating in Swiss championships).

Team Sports

• As an active elite athlete, you must play in one of the top two leagues.
• As a former elite athlete, you must have played in one of the top two leagues.

Membership is free for all athletes who meet our criteria.

Participation in events – such as the Athletes Day – is also free. The only prerequisite is an active membership.

Additionally, all members have access to the internal job platform and can apply for positions with our partner companies at no extra cost. Possible job placements are also free of charge.

Only individual coaching sessions obtained through the Athletes Network may incur costs.

Athletes Network offers active and former athletes diverse opportunities for their careers during or after sports. As a member, you benefit from:

• Internships / Trainee positions / Job shadowing / Full & part-time positions / Junior & senior roles
• Free participation in our Athletes Days for networking with business representatives, employers, and other athletes
• Attractive discounts and scholarships with our educational partners offering location- and time-independent learning – ideal to integrate into the elite sports daily routine
• Opportunities to give (paid) talks at partner companies
• Highly individualized career preparation with tailored coaching offers

The Athletes Day takes place twice a year and offers companies and athletes the opportunity to systematically and purposefully expand and activate their networks.

Many athletes start their professional careers mainly through personal contacts. However, not all elite athletes have access to such networks. At Athletes Day, it is ensured that all participants can network. This creates valuable connections between athletes and companies.

Additionally, athletes in the transition phase from elite sports to business benefit from exchanging experiences with former athletes, which offers support and reduces feelings of isolation.

In our network, we call testimonials from athletes “Success Stories.” Here, we present athletes who have found jobs at one of our partner companies through the Athletes Network. These stories highlight the personalities, their career paths, and their respective jobs.

All interviews and videos are neatly collected under the CAREER/JOBS section.

Elite athletes bring unique skills such as discipline, goal orientation, teamwork, and feedback culture. This unique mindset is not only in demand in competitive sports but also in the business world.

Therefore, our goal is to connect athletes with business professionals and enable a successful transition into the economy.

Athletes bring traits from elite sports such as discipline, resilience, focus, agility, and ambition. These competencies make them valuable assets for any company. Through a partnership with Athletes Network, companies gain access to a unique talent pool from elite sports.

Partner companies benefit on several levels:

• Short term: Athletes can be booked for talks, presentations, interviews, or events, bringing valuable insights and their mindset directly to the company.
• Long term: Companies can recruit athletes as potential employees.

Additionally, the partnership strengthens employer branding as an innovative, diverse engagement with social value and clear future orientation.

Numerous companies, clubs, and associations engage as partners of Athletes Network. All partnerships can be viewed at a glance via the button below.

If you want your company to become a partner of Athletes Network, click here to learn more about partnering with us.

If you want to become a member of our network as an individual, find more information here about the Donors Club.

Do you want to become a partner of Athletes Network or learn more about collaboration? Please feel free to contact us!

You will find all important information via the button below.

There is the Athletes Network Donors Club (ANDC) for that. Membership in the ANDC association is open to all sports and business enthusiasts.

Membership is always personal and non-transferable. It can be sponsored by a company if represented by an individual member. Final acceptance of a member is decided by the board.

Athletes Network consists, among other things, of an association (Athletes Network) and Athletes Academy AG.

The association is non-profit, and all members can actively contribute and participate via a delegates’ assembly.

Athletes Academy AG operates the Athletes Network association as well as the entire ecosystem with all its stakeholders (partner companies, clubs, associations, etc.). Our ecosystem is financed through paid partnerships with clubs, associations, educational institutions, and companies. Additionally, we offer various services for athletes through Athletes Academy – for example, in career planning or personal development.