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On June 30, 2025, EAS in cooperation with Mr. Envic Galea (IJF Academy) organized the Smart Start for Dual Career (SS4DC) motivational workshop at the Malta Judo Academy. Overall, 29 participants attended the event, 13 youth student-athletes and 16 adults (parents/judo coaches and judo managers). In a country where dual career is at its infancy level, the Smart Start 4 DC motivational workshop represented an important event to raise the awareness of the youth athlete’s right to combine academic and sport commitments and to prepare them for future transition at higher education and/or working levels.

Initially, basic information on the importance of dual career for personal and future professional perspectives of athletes was provided. Some of the youth athletes as students indicated their favorite profession and the relative requirements. A short discussion regarding the relevance of soft skills in managing their future career followed. In presenting the aims, structure and contents of the SS4DC platform, the participants particularly appreciated the possibility to freely navigate the modules and the project website (www.SS4DC) containing more information of their interest. Surely, the presence of parents and coaches was crucial to engage the most relevant actors of the athletes’ entourage in supporting the efforts of the youth athletes during their dual career paths. In particular, their interest in the SS4DC platform and its contents might further support the future engagement of youth athletes in the mooc SS4DC educational programme, which is expected next September 2025.

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