The importance of Dual careers in the future

For the rest of the young athletes, at this very moment, the thought of studying at a university can help a lot not to lose motivation in training. Therefore, it is worthwhile to continue training and improve academic performance, because the future after the termination of a high-achieving sports career will not be imaginable without education.

"Dual career" is a coordinated process of activities in which the athlete develops his athletic and academic competence, promotes psychosocial and psychological development
(Stambulova, 2009).

The essence of the dual career at the higher level of study is to create an opportunity for athletes, while simultaneously practicing high-level sports, to also obtain higher education, obtain a qualification and be prepared for the labor market after the athlete's career ends. After the end of his career, the athlete must be ready to work in the profession of his choice, and it does not have to be related only to sports. But it should be especially emphasized that a professional of any specialty (lawyer, accountant, physicist, translator.....etc.) can be useful for the sports industry as such, contributing to the growth of well-being both in the industry and in the country as a whole.

Any pedagogical activity takes place in the process of mutual improvement, development and learning, in which teaching staff and coaches also provide opportunities, practice, and self-awareness to student-athletes as they develop their learning. In independent studies as a research learning process, student-athletes not only acquire new knowledge and skills, which they will use in their future professional career, but also promote their personal growth and improvement, which can be successfully used in the improvement of their existing sports career.

The University of Latvia is one of the first universities in the Baltics, which offers high-level athletes the opportunity to obtain higher education by combining it with an athlete's career, thus providing a future perspective for Latvia's best athletes. The role of the university is special in Latvian sports, as it provides a transitional stage from youth sports to professional sports, thus supporting young athletes to continue reaching their maximum potential.