When it comes to sports team travel, getting from point A to point B isn’t just about logistics — it’s about ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and comfort of every athlete and staff member. This is where the concept of duty of care is essential. It’s about taking every step necessary to ensure athletes can focus on only one thing — performance.
What is duty of care?
Duty of care refers to the legal and moral obligation organisations have to protect the wellbeing of their employees, or in this case, athletes, and teams. For sports teams, this means ensuring safe, efficient, and comfortable travel plans while maintaining contingency measures for unexpected events.
Sports team travel adds complexity due to large group sizes, specialised needs, and varying risk levels. A comprehensive focus on duty of care ensures every player and support member — be they elite athletes or back-office staff — feels safe and supported throughout their trip.
Why duty of care matters for sports teams
Arriving refreshed and at peak performance
Athletes need to arrive at their destination rested, refreshed, and ready to seize their best performance. A lack of attention to travel comfort can cause physical and mental strain, negatively impacting outcomes on the field.
High-profile players requiring a higher level of security
For teams featuring high-profile athletes, security risks can be significant, ranging from paparazzi attention to potential safety threats. Duty of care isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a necessity.
For such cases, secure transportation, vetted accommodations, and traveller tracking with detailed itineraries are essential. These measures mitigate risks for everyone travelling alongside the team.
Managing unforeseen circumstances
Travel disruptions can strike at any time — be it due to extreme weather, flight cancellations, or strikes. A lack of preparedness can result in missed matches or competitions, wasted resources, and added stress.
Having experienced travel support in these situations ensures immediate action, whether it's rebooking flights, altering itineraries, or changing destinations — all while keeping the team's goals intact.
Adapting to last-minute schedule changes
Sports teams often face last-minute or unpredictable changes in schedules, from rescheduled games to unexpected training opportunities. This level of fluidity demands a seamless travel management solution. Duty of care means these last-minute adjustments are handled with ease, leaving no room for disruption.
How Travel Counsellors for Business supports duty of care
Crafting care-led travel policies
Every athlete is unique, and so are their needs. Travel Counsellors for Business ensures each person receives individualised care through flexible and care-led travel policies. This personalised approach means accommodation, travel arrangements, and meal considerations work in harmony with the athlete’s requirements.
Expert accommodation sourcing
Hotels aren’t just places to sleep — they need to support recovery and mental readiness. Whether it’s providing access to wellness facilities like pools, gyms, or even private meeting rooms for team huddles, Travel Counsellors will work closely with you to ensure accommodations fit the unique needs of your team members.
Risk management with myTC Locate
Safety should never be left to chance, and you can’t control where a competition will be held. With myTC Locate, you can use non-invasive location tracking to provide real-time updates on where your team is and where they’re supposed to be.
This technology is invaluable for identifying risks during travel — whether they’re due to civil unrest or weather impacts. Decisions regarding whether your team should even travel to a specific destination are informed and data-driven.
24/7 support
Your dedicated Travel Counsellor will be there for you and your team every step of the way – but in the complex world of group travel, we know things can go wrong ‘out of hours’. That’s where our dedicated, 24/7 duty office steps in. Whether it’s a cancelled flight or an unexpected problem with your team’s accommodation, they’ll sort any issue efficiently.
Concierge-style service
Whether you want a venue for a celebratory meal at the end of a competition, or a private chef to ensure your team are adequately fuelled, no request is too extravagant. Your Travel Counsellor will take care of every detail to help your team stay focused, motivated, happy, and performing at their best.
Within our community of independent business owners, we have sports travel specialists who understand the complexities of team logistics, so you and your team can rest assured that your travel plans have been crafted with an expert’s touch.
Take action for stress-free team travel
Duty of care is more than a checklist — it’s a mindset that prioritises the wellbeing, safety, and performance for every player, coach, and staff member. Travel Counsellors for Business provides the experience and tools to ensure your team travel is smooth, secure, and that they’re ready for anything.
Whether managing a junior league or planning large-scale travel for professional athletes, our care-driven approach guarantees seamless experiences tailored to your team’s needs.
Get in touch today to discover how Travel Counsellors for Business can help your team achieve their goals on and off the field.
