Key tips for your NextGen 2026 application

With NextGen 2026 applications now open, Sport Industry Group has put together a list of tips, tricks and things to consider when applying to the programme.

Make yourself stand out

Whether it’s through the words in your written submission or what you’re wearing in your video recording, make yourself stand out. We receive hundreds of applications every year and come judging day, the selection committee are constantly having to refer to their notes and cross check names in order to remember who’s who. If they can speak to something that jumps out from your submission – “that’s the one who did x” – it can definitely help your application stick in the mind.

Extracurricular activities

The sport industry is filled with exceptional individuals and those that apply to NextGen are the cream of the crop. Given the outstanding calibre of applicants, simply working in the industry is often not enough to get the nod. Tell us about a project that you were central to within your organisation, maybe there’s a subject you’re particularly passionate about, or perhaps point to something you’ve done outside of work. If there’s anything that sets you apart from your peers, we want to hear about it!

Bring some balance

The year-long NextGen programme has four recurring themes – innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social change – at its core, meaning that we’re on the lookout for individuals who have exposure in these areas and can upskill others within the cohort.

That’s not to say that we’re only interested in applicants who have experience in these fields. Often good discussion within the group is fuelled by individuals approaching a topic from different professional backgrounds, meaning that diversity within the group is essential.

You’ve got to be engaged

The NextGen programme consists of nine events throughout the year that mostly take place in London. These are a mixture of social gatherings, team bonding, learning and leadership sessions, and an overnight stay. It’s a full-on programme and we expect all our Leaders to be engaged throughout. That’s why the programme is only open to those currently based in the UK. Of course, it’s fine to miss a session here and there, nobody can be available all of the time, but you’ll get the most out of the programme if you’re present and ready to apply yourself.

Some writing tips

Take your time on the form. I would recommend taking the questions away and having a think about how you might want to approach them before you start writing. And do it in Word rather than on the website itself. If you’re not used to writing, start with bullets and build out from there. If the opposite is a problem and you’ve got too much to say, then write big and you can always edit down. That said, you don’t need to write to the word count. Sometimes less is more.

Try, try again

If you haven’t made the cut in previous years – don’t be disheartened. Please do think about applying again. With 12 month’s more experience under your belt and, having read to the end of this article, maybe this’ll be your year.

There are plenty of examples where an applicant has failed to make the cut on their first attempt but is accepted on the second or third go. Remember also that most of our Leaders are close to the age cut off because they’ve had the most time to develop professionally. That’s not to say that younger applicants aren’t selected, but certainly age is a factor.

Everything is a learning experience

Don’t take it to heart if you don’t get the response you’re looking for come judging day. We receive hundreds of applicants every year and the standard keeps on going up. It’s one of the things that makes the programme so special and why the judges have an incredibly tough job on their hands.

I hope that helps. Good luck and don’t leave it to the last minute!