Elite athletes are often viewed as independent, resilient, and mentally tough. Yet one message emerged repeatedly at the Sporting Chance Summit 2026: nobody succeeds alone. From injury and retirement to training abroad and navigating personal challenges, this blog explores the vital role that social support plays in wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable performance, and invites readers to reflect on who is in their own corner.

When an athlete goes down on the pitch, the first responder's training kicks in immediately. They assess the mechanism, stabilise the injury, manage pain, and facilitate safe removal from the field of play. But in that same moment, something else is happening that rarely features in any emergency action plan.

Returning to sport after an ACL injury is often described as a physical journey. Athletes spend months rebuilding strength, balance, range of movement, and confidence in their knee. This blog explores why mental health should be considered alongside physical testing when supporting athletes after ACL injury.

In the pursuit of peak performance, athletes push their bodies to the limit. But when energy intake consistently falls short of training demands, the consequences can be devastating. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is a serious condition that disrupts nearly every physiological system, impairing performance, increasing injury risk, and jeopardising long-term health. For coaches, recognizing the warning signs and addressing RED-S proactively is essential.