ELITE athletes could soon be as well trained in time management and personal development as chief executives.Ipswich's leading lights in the sporting world are set to be put through their paces in the business world as part of a new initiative being developed by Team Ipswich.

ELITE athletes could soon be as well trained in time management and personal development as chief executives.

Ipswich's leading lights in the sporting world are set to be put through their paces in the business world as part of a new initiative being developed by Team Ipswich.

The sports development team at Ipswich Borough Council are signing businesses up to their plans to increase the skills of sportsmen and women and their coaches.

Team Ipswich manager Adam Baker said sportspeople currently had access to training relevant to their sports but rarely were they able to access personal development training that would routinely be offered in the business world.

So the council is working with Ipswich companies which are willing to sponsor athletes by offering them access to specialised training rather than the more traditional financial sponsorship.

Mr Baker said: “We're trying to look at what local companies have to offer. It's not just about hard cash. It's about trying to work with them to develop our athletes and coaches.

“A lot of the coaches and the key personnel in sport in Ipswich don't have access to the type of training resources that some of the bigger business have access to.

“A lot of them do get some quality sport training but what they don't get is some of the personal development courses.”

Talks have already begun with a number of companies, with the aim of training being made available in areas like time management and organisational skills.

“Another company is looking at providing public speaking training for our elite athletes so that when they come to the end of their careers they have other options for employment,” Mr Baker said.

The idea is the latest to come out of Team Ipswich, which has already established the Elite Squad of athletes and two teams of promising young sportspeople, the Futures and Emerging squads, who are receiving tailored support to ensure they develop to their full potential.

Weblink: www.ipswich.gov.uk/Sport