High-level athlete: categories and educational benefits

If you are a high-level athlete in Spain, you should know that certain categories have been established in the country with the intention of establishing a series of benefits and aid for these groups in different areas. Among them, one of the most important is the fact of combining sport with academic and work-related needs. That is why today we are going to tell you what categories exist depending on the field of sport and what benefits and aid are involved in being a top-level sportsperson.

Categories: levels of accreditation

These categories can be divided into two areas. The national one, which is the responsibility of the Consejo Superior de Deportes and which covers the figures of High Level Athletes (DAN) and High Performance Athletes (DAR) of a national nature. On the other hand, there are the different qualifications developed at regional level by each Autonomous Community to protect or extend these measures to their athletes at regional level:

• National High Level Athletes (DAN). Results at national team level. Their name must appear in the BOE in the lists published annually. This status is acquired for a period of 5 years, renewed with each appearance in the BOE, after achieving new results that are considered in the Annex to the Royal Decree as High Level.
• National High Performance Athlete (DAR). This is obtained for sporting results of interest to the national team in their sport. It is certified by the CSD through the national federations, so it must be the sportspersons themselves who request it (from their national federation). The certificate issued by the corresponding national federation is valid from one year to three years. The certificate must be presented to the national federation and must reflect this duration.
• High Level, High Performance or Regional Elite Athletes. These are regulated in each Autonomous Community, establishing the conditions and/or sporting merits for access to the level or levels. These conditions are compatible with DAN and DAR. They establish benefits at the level of their autonomous region, not outside it. They are usually a prerequisite for eligibility for aid and sports scholarships from that Autonomous Region.

Benefits at university

Depending on each centre and each Autonomous Community, quotas are established for access and exemption from physical tests for access and the promotion of specific support programmes at universities for high-level and high-performance sportspeople.

Benefits in Compulsory Secondary Education and Baccalaureate

In Compulsory Secondary Education and baccalaureate, access priorities are established, depending on each Autonomous Community. In addition, there is also the possibility of exemption from the subject of Physical Education.

Benefits in Vocational Training

As regards Vocational Training, there is a reserve quota for access. It is usually 5% and exemption from the specific part of the entrance exam for training in the Physical Activity and Sport family.

Benefits in artistic education

With regard to artistic education, there are reserved places in both intermediate and higher cycles of artistic education. As long as you pass the entrance requirements and the specific entrance exams.

Even so, before considering it, remember that in order to obtain these benefits it is essential to have the status of high-level sportsperson recognised by the Consejo Superior de Deportes (Higher Sports Council). You should also consider that you will be exempt from the physical tests that, where appropriate, are established as a requirement for access to the teaching and studies in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.