About ACE
ACE is the premier career and life resource platform dedicated to providing advice, networking, and job opportunities for athletes— starting out, current and former, FREE of charge.
Our mission is to be the number 1 partner for athletes, offering expert career development, advanced training methodologies, and invaluable life advice that fosters resilience, maximizes potential, and prepares them for a successful future, both on and off the field.
​​
For all athletes, the game never stops—and neither should your growth. We understand the unique demands you face, which is why we offer tailored support in career development, advanced training, and personal well-being. Let us help you build a lasting legacy, both in your sport and in your life.
​
Embrace your potential with ACE.
Ensuring financial stability and long-term security is paramount.
The vast majority of athletes, regardless of their initial talent or dedication, will not achieve professional or significant financial success within their sport.
For many, sporting careers are often short-lived due to injury, age, or simply the highly competitive nature of their discipline.
Providing clear pathways and support for career development outside of sport ensures that athletes are equipped with the skills and opportunities to secure stable employment and financial independence once their athletic pursuits either end or become a part-time endeavor.
Without this foresight, athletes risk facing significant financial hardship and an abrupt, disorienting end to their primary identity.
Fostering holistic identity and mental well-being is critically important.
​
For many athletes, their identity becomes heavily intertwined with their sport.
When their athletic career concludes, or they realise it won't be a viable long-term path, this can lead to a profound sense of loss, identity crisis, and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
By actively promoting and supporting career prospects outside of sports, athletes can develop diverse skills, explore different passions, and build a more multifaceted identity that extends beyond their athletic achievements.
This proactive approach helps them navigate the transition more smoothly and maintain positive mental health.
Promoting a sustainable and ethical sporting ecosystem requires a commitment to the athlete's entire life journey.
Sporting organizations and educational institutions have a moral obligation to prepare athletes for life beyond competition.
Ignoring career prospects outside of sport is a disservice to athletes and can lead to a system that uses and discards talent without considering their long-term welfare.
By integrating robust career planning, education, and networking opportunities, the sporting world can demonstrate a genuine commitment to the holistic development and future success of all its participants.
In conclusion, getting recruitment and career prospects outside of sports right for athletes of all abilities is not an optional add-on;
it is an essential component of responsible athlete development.
It safeguards their financial future, protects their mental well-being, maximizes their societal contribution, and ultimately fosters a more ethical and sustainable sporting landscape.
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Who are we?
ACE was established when a former Football club chairman and an ex-player, brainstormed ways to support athletes throughout their sports journey, before, during their careers and after, regardless of their skill level.
Our research revealed a focus on professional and elite athletes, leaving the other 99.8% without adequate support, which inspired the creation of ACE.
Since then, we have expanded our team of experts to provide assistance and guidance on a wide range of related topics, and we continue to grow.
Many people assume that athletes earn substantial incomes, but that’s often not the case.
We offer a variety of services, including career advice, training courses, mentorship, and support.
Benefits for Clubs, Sports Facilities, Teams, or Leagues from ACE Certification:
​
Enhanced Reputation and Brand Image:
Certification by ACE demonstrates a clear commitment to the holistic development and long-being of athletes beyond their playing careers. This elevates your organization's reputation as a responsible and athlete-centric entity, making it more attractive to fans, sponsors, and the wider community.
​
Attract and Retain Top Talent:
In an increasingly competitive landscape, athletes are looking for organizations that genuinely care about their future. An ACE certification signals that your club/facility/team provides comprehensive support, which can be a significant draw for recruiting promising athletes and fostering loyalty among current players. It shows you're invested in them as individuals, not just as performers.
​
​Fulfill Duty of Care and Welfare Obligations:
Modern sports governance increasingly emphasizes the welfare of athletes. ACE certification helps your organization meet and exceed these expectations by demonstrating a proactive approach to career transition, mental health, financial literacy, and overall life preparation, ensuring a robust duty of care framework.
​
Improved Athlete Performance and Morale:
Athletes who feel secure about their future and have access to career development resources are often less stressed and more focused. Providing clear pathways and support through ACE can lead to improved on-field/court performance and higher morale, knowing they are supported through their journey.
​
Access to Specialized Expertise and Resources:
By aligning with ACE, your organisation gains access to expert advice, tailored training programs, and a network of professionals dedicated to athlete career engagement. This provides valuable resources without needing to build extensive internal programs from scratch.
Football (Soccer)
-
Percentage at full pro level (earning enough not to need a job)
-
Extremely Low, likely well under 0.01%​
Reasoning:
Football has the largest participation base in the UK.
While there are thousands of "professional" footballers, the vast majority play in the lower leagues (e.g., League One, League Two, National League, and below) where salaries, while better than minimum wage, often don't provide a lavish lifestyle or even remove the need for careful financial management and future planning.
Some reports indicate that "most footballers earn less than the average British salary," and a significant number face financial difficulties after retirement​
​
-
For example, studies suggest that less than 0.5% of players aged under 9 signed by professional teams go on to play at the top flight.
-
Another statistic indicates that only around 180 out of 1.5 million schoolboys in England become Premier League pros each year, a success rate of 0.012%.
-
While many will play "semi-professionally" in lower leagues, their earnings are often not enough to be their sole income.
-
Only those in the top leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and some top tiers in other major footballing nations) earn substantial salaries that negate the need for other jobs.
The vast pyramid structure of football means most players remain in non-league or lower-league football, where wages are modest.
Rugby Union
-
Percentage at full pro level (earning enough not to need a job)
-
Low, likely 0.05% - 0.1% of all participants​
Reasoning:
Rugby Union is professional in the UK, primarily through Premiership Rugby and the URC (United Rugby Championship), as well as international representation (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland national teams).
-
Salaries in the Premiership can be substantial, with most senior players earning £113,000 to £175,000 annually, and experienced international players earning significantly more
-
However, the total number of professional contracts in these top leagues is limited.
-
Below the Premiership, in the Championship and National Leagues, semi-professional contracts are more common, and players often have other jobs.
-
The "Daily Waffle" study suggests 0.62% of Rugby Union participants turn "pro," but again, this doesn't specify financial independence.
-
​
The pool of participants is smaller than football, making the absolute number of highly paid pros smaller, though the percentage of those within the professional system who earn a good living might be higher than in football's deep pyramid.
Rugby League
​
-
Percentage at full pro level (earning enough not to need a job)
-
Low, likely 0.1% - 0.2% of all participants
Reasoning:
Rugby League, particularly in the Super League, offers professional contracts.
​
-
While salaries are generally lower than in Rugby Union's Premiership, top Super League players earn enough to be full-time professionals.
-
The "Daily Waffle" report states that 1.99% of Rugby League players are professional, which is a comparatively high percentage among all UK sports.
-
This is likely due to a smaller overall participant base compared to football and a more concentrated professional structure (Super League and Championship).
​​
However, earning enough not to need another job still typically applies to only those at the higher end of the Super League or international players
Cricket
​
-
Percentage at full pro level (earning enough not to need a job)
-
Very Low, likely <0.05%
Reasoning:
Professional cricket in the UK is primarily through the 18 County Championship teams and The Hundred competition
​​
-
Players on central contracts with the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board) for international duty earn very significant sums.
-
County players' salaries vary widely, with established players earning a good living, but younger players or those on short-term deals may not be financially secure.
-
Cricket has a substantial amateur and club base, and the step up to professional county cricket is extremely challenging.
​​
Many talented youth players will go through academy systems but never secure a full professional contract that provides sustained financial independence.
Athletics (Track and Field)​
​
-
Percentage at full pro level (earning enough not to need a job)
-
Extremely Low, likely <0.01%
Reasoning:
Unlike team sports with league structures, professional athletes in track and field rely on prize money from competitions, sponsorship deals, and funding from UK Sport (via National Governing Bodies) for those on the World Class Performance Program
​​
-
A recent survey by the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA) revealed that the average full-time athlete receives less than £22,500 a year, and 85% of funded athletes said they would not or might not continue competing if forced to make do with current payments
-
Only a tiny handful of truly world-class athletes (e.g., Olympic or World medallists) can command significant sponsorship deals and prize money that makes them financially independent
​​
Many Olympic hopefuls or even established international athletes still need to supplement their income with part-time jobs, coaching, or family support.
Other Sports (e.g., Boxing, Tennis, Golf, Horse Racing, Cycling, etc.)​
​
-
Percentage at full pro level (earning enough not to need a job)
-
Extremely Low, generally <0.05%.
Reasoning:
Boxing:
-
Only a very small number of boxers make significant money.
-
The vast majority of professional boxers, especially early in their careers, earn modest amounts and often have other jobs.
-
Only those who reach televised fights at a high level or become world champions truly earn enough for financial independence.
​
Tennis & Golf:
-
Similar to the global context, these individual sports require constant travel and high expenses.
-
Only a tiny elite (e.g., top 100-200 in the world) consistently earn enough from prize money and sponsorships to be financially independent.
-
Many lower-ranked professionals struggle.
​​
Horse Racing:
-
While jockeys can earn well, it's a very small and specialized field. Stable staff and others in the industry are rarely earning enough to be considered "full pro" in the same way.
​​
Cycling:
-
Only a select group of professional cyclists in top teams earn substantial salaries.
-
Many promising young riders struggle to secure contracts that provide a living wage.
​​
Many Olympic hopefuls or even established international athletes still need to supplement their income with part-time jobs, coaching, or family support.