Springboard 2
Mentoring Program
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on supporting athletes in pursuing dual careers and preparing for life beyond competitive sport. However, the transition from being a professional athlete to a new career is not always easy, and many athletes face challenges in identifying and accessing new professional opportunities.Springboard 2 pairs female athletes with mentors who already work in sports tech, so the move is guided by people who have made it themselves. The program runs inside a 24-month Erasmus+ Sport partnership delivered by six organisations across Europe and co-funded by the European Union. Places in the program is limited
Partners of this program
Mentoring Program Overview
Our mentoring program is designed to support and guide women in sports, helping them navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and reach their full potential. Whether you are a professional in a large sports club, a national federation, working for a NOC, involved in sports at the municipal or state level, a coach, leader, aspiring leader, referee, technical delegate, or board member, you are welcome to apply as a mentee. If you have extensive experience as a female professional in or outside of sports and wish to take on the role of a mentor, we promise a valuable and rewarding journey. We look forward to receiving your application. For this project its a plus if you have background, knowledge from/with technology.
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Springboard 2: an Erasmus+ EU funded project
A 24-month Erasmus+ Sport Cooperation Partnership equipping 100 women athletes with the training, mentoring and network to build their next career in the sports tech industry.
The mission behind the program
THE BARRIER IS THE PIPELINE, NOT THE TALENT.
Women hold a small share of leadership in European sport and an even smaller share of the sports tech workforce. The pattern repeats at every level, and it is not because the talent is missing.
The Springboard 2 barrier assessment, a mixed-methods study with female athletes across Europe, found that the main thing holding them back is not a lack of skill or ambition. It is access: to the right knowledge, the right networks, and people who have done it before. When athletes were asked what would help most, mentoring came up ahead of everything else.
Athletes already carry what this sector needs. Years of pacing under pressure, reading a game, leading a locker room and handling sponsorship deals translate directly into running a company, managing a product and pitching to investors. Springboard 2 is built to make that translation visible, and to connect it with people who can open doors.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MENTORING PROGRAM
As a mentee you are matched with one mentor, through the SheSkillz Global mentoring platform. The match is based on your goals and their experience, not on who happens to be free.
You and your mentor meet for at least four sessions of 45 to 60 minutes. The sessions follow a clear structure built on the development staircase: you start by mapping where you are and where you want to go, then work through the steps in between. After each session you write short minutes on the platform and your mentor adds their notes, so nothing gets lost between meetings.
How does it work?
Explore the mentoring program
Read through the program details and decide whether it fits to you:
"Letters to the Mentees" or "Letters to the Mentors"
Gain a deeper understanding if the program is for you as a mentee or the impact you can make as a mentor. The FAQ below covers most of the common questions.
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Apply and Express Your Interest
MENTEES: You have read the information letter and meet the criteria. When registering, remember to click on "Springboard2" or use the access code provided. Fill in your profile with as much detail as you can. The more we know about your background and what you want from the program, the better the match.
MENTORS: Interested? Fantastic! Share your interest in becoming a mentor by sending a short email along with your CV to info@sheskillzglobal.com. Please also mention which program you would like to be a mentor for, such as Springboard 2. Don't forget to tell us why mentoring matters to you and to check out the mentoring agreement.
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Selection process
MENTEES: Once your profile is complete, selected applicants are invited to a short online interview. If you're not selected for the next round, you'll still have the option to maintain your profile and to attend eventual other programs where you will be in the target group. You'll receive an informational letter outlining the next steps if you're interested.
MENTORS: Start filling out your profile and use the Access Code you have been given. We value authenticity. Expect a brief quality and ethical check to ensure a meaningful mentorship experience. Afterwards we get in touch about matching you with a mentee.
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Start the program
Once accepted as a mentee or a mentor, you will be matched on the platform with one mentor from SheSkillz Global and one from Springboard 2. Together with your mentors, you will agree on the timing of your first out of four sessions using the video conferencing tool of your choice. Following each session, you will complete a brief online form called 'session minutes,' thoughtfully provided by us. This form allows your mentors to offer feedback and serves as a valuable document to guide your subsequent sessions. If you have any queries along the way, feel free to reach out to us at info@sheskillzglobal.com.
About the partners
IGLOO INNOVATION
Igloo Innovation is an innovation hub based at SNØ outside Oslo, connecting sports, technology, health, and business. We develop and lead collaborative innovation projects that bring together startups, established companies, researchers, investors, sports organizations, and public partners. Through pilot projects, international collaboration, and practical testing environments, we accelerate innovation and help transform promising ideas into sustainable solutions with real-world impact for sport, health, and society.
GSIC POWERED BY MICROSOFT
Founded in 2015, the GSIC is a global non-profit association that drives innovation in sports and builds one of the strongest international ecosystems in the sector. We connect sports organizations with cutting-edge solutions that help them grow, transform, and adapt to today's challenges. Our greatest value lies in our community: GSIC members are the providers of innovative products and services that address the real needs of the sports industry of today.
COLLECTIVE INNOVATION
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ORANGE SPORTS FORUM
OSF is a platform of 300 sports related organizations from the Netherlands, varying from multinational companies to startups and from knowledge institutes to sport clubs and federations. OSF facilities its network with their international ambitions by bringing them into contact with potential partners abroad and vice versa.
GULER LEGACY
Güler Legacy is a family basketball community founded in 2011 by Sinan Güler, his father, and his brother, built on character and belonging. Having reached nearly 4,000 young athletes across 59 cities and 16 countries, it now builds digital tools connecting basketball with education and career planning.
SHESKILLZ GLOBAL
We at SheSkillz Global like to look at ourselves as game changers. We're committed to empowering women through innovative mentoring programs and career advancement opportunities. Join us as we redefine success in sports and champion gender equality worldwide.
Ready to Empower Women in Sports?
Join our mentoring program and become part of a community that celebrates diversity, fosters growth, and empowers women in sports to grow professional. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for women in Springboard 2.
FAQs
Our Mentoring Program is a dynamic and enriching experience designed for female professionals. It connects mentees with senior mentors eager to share their expertise and knowledge. Our Springboard 2 mentoring program is tailored to provide a supportive environment for career-focused discussions, networking opportunities, and personal and professional development for women in Springboard 2.
We recommend reading the information letter If you meet the criteria to become a mentee you can apply for one of the available places. The deadline to apply for the first group is: 31.01.2026.
If you meet the criteria to become a mentee, you can apply for our Mentoring Program. Please see the “How does it work” section above for detailed steps.
- Mentoring is voluntary, and mentors are not paid. If you are accepted as a mentee, we kindly ask that you respect your appointments with your mentor.
How much time does it take?
You commit to having at least four (4) sessions with your mentor, each lasting 45-60 minutes. In addition, there will be webinars and also in some countries «in person» meetings. You can read more about this in the information letter.