Take Time Out with Petra Santini
We took time out with our Partner, Petra Santini. With her extensive experience in sports strategy development, Petra shared valuable insights on talent pathways and their powerful impact on athlete development. Here’s what she had to say…
What excites you most about the work you are currently doing with Portas?
“I am very excited about the work I am currently doing with the UAE Ministry of Sport on developing a cohesive talent pathway. I think it will have a great positive impact on the lives of athletes here and enable more of them to develop from youth sport to the elite and professional level.
What makes talent pathways successful and who is doing it well?
“A successful talent pathway thrives on a clear long-term vision, strong grassroots participation, and access to top-tier coaching and competitive environments.
I’m really impressed by British Cycling’s approach to talent pathways. Their Go-Ride programme, which feeds over 60% of Team GB riders, is a great example of this, along with their commitment to providing quality coaching, facilities, and cutting-edge technology for athlete development. It’s a system that truly works."
How do you think technology will shape this space in the future?
“Technology is reshaping how athletes are identified and developed.
Three key areas stand out: AI for spotting talent and potential performance patterns earlier, wearables for real-time monitoring of recovery and fatigue, and centralised systems that give federations a full view of athlete progress.
In the UAE, there’s strong momentum to integrate these tools into daily training and competitions to support better decisions and long-term athlete development.”
How can sport best support athlete’s wellbeing?
“Supporting athlete wellbeing means recognising that performance and wellbeing go hand in hand. During sport, this means personalised training that considers both physical and mental load, strong off-field support like mental health services and career guidance, and making sure athletes have a voice in decisions that affect them.
But wellbeing doesn’t end when competition does. Life after sport should be built into the system early—through tailored career planning, flexible education and employment partnerships, and alumni networks that keep athletes connected and supported as they move into new roles.”
What are you most proud of in you career in sport?
“I'm most proud of the opportunity to do something I truly enjoy every day.”