Research question. The last decade has seen an increase in empirical research 2 associated with dual careers in sport, with particular focus on understanding and developing 3 individual characteristics which are important to ensure success in sports and education or a 4 vocation. More recent work has, however, also identified the importance of environmental 5 factors in ensuring successful dual career outcomes. The aims of the current study, therefore, 6 are to: (a) identify and classify the different types of dual career development environments 7 (DCDEs) of countries in Europe; and (b) provide outlines of the key features of the environments identified. 9Research methods. To achieve these aims, this study adopted the procedure of initial documentary analysis, interviews with knowledgeable stakeholders, cross case analysis, and expert interviews and researcher discussions across seven countries in Europe (Belgium,

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The purpose of this study is to identify and examine individuals' experiences of and the outcomes of sport and education or vocational development, with the intention to establish an overarching theory of dual career (DC) pathways in sport. Since the contrasting experiences and outcomes of a DC are largely unguided by a theoretical model, the grounded theory method was selected to address the research aim. 17 DC athletes took part in a lifestory interview, which were analysed, along with previous literature, to develop a conceptual understanding of the research area. The findings that emerged from this study supported a categorisation of DC experiences into three pathways: a sporting pathway, an

Research has previously identified different approaches to a dual career (i.e., the simultaneous development of a vocational career alongside the athletic career), (a) educational/vocational pathway (i.e., a prioritisation of the vocational career), (b) a parallel dual career pathway (i.e., an equal focus on athletic and vocational career), and (c) a sporting pathway (i.e., a prioritisation of the athletic career). Yet, the identity and self-efficacy characteristics of these profiles require further investigation. The address this, the current study collected survey responses from 111 dual career athletes. The survey measured aspects of career identity, athletic identity and self-efficacy and results were analysed via a cluster analysis. Results showed three athlete profiles: (a) athlete students indicating a sport prioritisation; (b) dual career athletes showing an equal balance between vocational career and sporting career; and (c) student athletes showing an education or vocation prioritisation.The results extend the current literature that understands dual career athletes as a heterogeneous group and establishes identity and self-efficacy as important factors in dual career pathways. This understanding also enables practitioners to take an individualistic approach to supporting dual career athletes.

This research aimed to understand the coping and wellbeing of dual career athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 159 dual career athletes completed a series of questionnaires that aimed to identify the coping strategies and their impact on the wellbeing of respondents during COVID-19 restrictions. The survey included measures of coping, wellbeing, burnout, and identity along with open-ended questions with the focus of change, coping, and support. Findings identified three coping approaches that have been employed by dual career athletes: positive coping, negative coping, and acceptance. The three coping approaches also showed distinct wellbeing and burnout profiles. The negative coping group showed high indicators of burnout and poor wellbeing, whereas the acceptance group showed the highest scores on wellbeing and low indications of burnout. Based on the findings, it is recommended that dual career support providers and stakeholders consider how best to support athletes that have not coped well and have experienced wellbeing issues during this time. It is also important to recognise the benefit a dual career has provided to some individuals during this period.