Partners of the STARS Project gathered for a study visit and project meeting in Madrid from 15–17 October 2024, hosted by the Technical University of Madrid at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF-UPM). The visit was integrated into the Inclusive Week organized by the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), which placed a strong emphasis on inclusion and accessibility in sport and education. This context provided an important opportunity for project partners to explore inclusive practices, exchange ideas on promoting equal participation in sport, and reflect on how vocational excellence in sports can be developed while ensuring opportunities for all.
Project Coordination and Applied Research Discussions
The first day focused on a project coordination meeting, where partners discussed updates on project management, the Pact for Skills, RSP, and the Large Skills Partnership (LSP) in the sport ecosystem, as well as quality assurance and dissemination activities. Participants also explored the role of applied research in sport within the STARS framework and engaged in a collaborative brainstorming session on research applications across the project’s building blocks and national partnerships.
Supporting Dual Careers for Athletes
On the second day, experts from the Spanish sports ecosystem presented initiatives supporting dual careers and employment pathways for elite and para-athletes, including the High-Level Athlete Care Programme (PROAD) and the Paralympic Sport Support Plan (ADOP).
The programme also included roundtable discussions followed by Q&A sessions with high-level athletes, who shared first-hand experiences of combining sport and education and discussed the challenges and opportunities of managing dual careers.
The study visits also included a guided tour of the High-Performance Centre of Madrid and a visit to the Sports Excellence Secondary Education Center “Ortega y Gasset”, providing insights into Spain’s approach to sports education and athlete development.
Inclusive Sports Activities and Project Impact
The visit concluded with partners attending activities of the II Inclusive Games, highlighting inclusive sport competitions such as table tennis, rugby, and swimming. The study visit provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration, supporting the objectives of the STARS Project in strengthening vocational excellence and innovation in sport.
