Organisational obligations toward athlete transitions: Confronting the bureaucratisation of athlete welfare with an ethics of care

In response to a series of enduring and contemporary concerns within the sport sector, and recent political intervention, many sport organisations are having to confront a broader array of athlete welfare obligations beyond the performative. In part, what has transpired is sport organisations and external agencies developing a diverse suite of welfare programmes. Within which, there has been a focus on transitions as a key part of athletes’ elite careers. Although organisational investment into transitions responds to the industry concerns, question remains regarding the authenticity and meaningfulness of programmes. Drawing on ethics of care theory, the UK-based Duty of Care Review (DOCR), and transition-care initiatives, this chapter (re)considers the bureaucratisation of current care practices within the sector. This work provides a counter argument to prevailing athlete-centred discourses.