Sunday 5 March 2017 14:38, UK
The search has begun to find the next batch of Sky Academy Sports Scholars.
All budding sport stars aged 16-25 have until the end of March to get their application in, so what are you waiting for?
The 20-year-old Paralympic long jumper and sprinter Olivia Breen has been a Scholar since London 2012 and has just enjoyed work experience with the Game Changers TV team at Sky.
Being a Scholar isn't all about boosting your skills in the sporting arena. Olivia reveals all...
I encourage all young sportspeople to think about applying to be a Scholar. Being on the scheme has changed my life.
Knowing Sky believed in me enough to award me a scholarship and support me for four years gave me so much confidence. I left home at 17 to go to college in St Albans and it opened up so many opportunities.
I changed coaches, my running times improved and I was training in an elite and highly focused environment. I had the funds to get warm-weather training which for an athlete with cerebral palsy is really important as we do much better in the warm.
It opened up so many opportunities. I had Di Dougherty as a mentor and having her support has been amazing. Di used to present Game Changers and because of my relationship with her I got on the show.
I have also appeared on SSNHQ many times and being in front of the camera gives you so much media training in a really friendly environment, which prepares you for being interviewed in a not so friendly and relaxed atmosphere!
The life of an athlete is not always easy. It's great when things are going well but it's hard when things are not going to plan. Head of Sky Scholarships Tony Lester has been an invaluable source of support and advice.
He is a former athlete and his advice at crucial times in my career has really helped clear things in my head and given me confidence to make big changes to my life.
After my disappointing Rio, he suggested I focus on long jump and move coaches to Aston Moore in Loughborough, as well as link up with psychologist Michelle Miller who has helped me so much.
All the staff at Sky from security to reception to the CEO Jeremy Darroch are so friendly. They make us feel so supported and to have this backing makes such a difference to our confidence.
I have just done some work experience at Sky which was amazing. The Scholarship programme recognises the life of a sportsperson is short and tries to prepare us for life after sport which is really important.
I worked in the editing room which was interesting to get a behind-the-scenes view of life at Sky Sports. I also helped with the editing of Game Changers and a netball match with Wasps ladies.
I went out on a shoot with rugby legend Maggie Alphonsi at the Harlequins ground doing a coaching session. I'd love to do that one day, so it was great to see how she interacted with the kids and kept their attention and made it fun!
The work experience really helped and underlined how much I enjoy working with people rather than behind the scenes in a back office. I do think I'd struggle with a job like editing because it is all about detail!
I really enjoy mixing with people and talking. Watching Maggie with the children made me realise that coaching and working with children could perhaps be a career for me. The course I am doing is teaching exercise and fitness. I hope to use this training to teach disabled children.
Maggie works for the Youth Sport Trust to try to inspire school children and help them fulfil their potential in sport and at school.
I found school really difficult and from my experience, gaining confidence in a sport really helps with focus in the classroom. It was great to see Maggie taking this message to children. It was also reassuring to see a sportsperson who has recently retired from her sport being successful in another area.
So all I have to say to young sportspeople from runners to rugby players to windsurfers to cyclists is... APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!
You have nothing to lose and so much to gain by becoming a Sky Scholar. There is no hidden agenda - it is all about supporting young athletes and trying to make a real change to our performances and lives.
I feel so privileged and blessed that I was even considered for the role among so much talent in the country and will always be grateful for the experiences and opportunities it has opened up for me.
Check out the new Scholarship website and APPLY HERE!
Game Changers returns for a new series on Friday March 3 at 5pm on Sky Sports 3
