Between performance and precariousness: economic conditions and support needs of Belgian sub-elite athletes[Entre performance et précarité : conditions économiques et besoins d'accompagnement des athlètes sub-élite belges]

This research examines the financial imbalance faced by Belgian sub-elite athletes and their expectations regarding sponsorship. It also explores their need for and interest in training to improve their autonomy in securing sponsors. Sub-elite athletes, on the verge of competing at European level, invest as much as elite athletes while often needing to support themselves. They face financial precarity and may lack knowledge of sponsorship mechanisms. This represents a major challenge, as their commitment to sport and pursuit of international competition require substantial personal investment. Existing research on this topic remains limited and is largely dominated by sponsor and consumer perspectives, leaving a gap in understanding the needs of athletes themselves. This study contributes to the literature through a nationwide quantitative survey conducted in both French and Dutch. It focuses on a rarely studied population: sub-elite athletes in a bilingual country structured around two sports systems. Results show that sport-related expenses exceed income by €3,954 per year on average, with expenses being 3.52 times higher than income from sponsorship or patronage. A significant relationship was found between knowledge of sponsorship processes and the likelihood of securing a sponsor (p = 0.036). While only 45% of respondents reported being familiar with these processes, 88% of them had at least one sponsor, compared to 55% among those without such knowledge. Different forms of sponsorship were identified, but differences between them remain limited. Interest in structured support is high across all formats. These findings highlight several practical implications for sports federations and support organizations. Developing training in sponsorship, communication, and career management appears to be a relevant way to strengthen athletes' autonomy. While some initiatives already exist, creating mechanisms that facilitate connections between athletes and private partners could help reduce inequalities in access to sponsorship, particularly by compensating for limited social capital. Emerging private initiatives also offer promising opportunities to better promote sub-elite athletes and support them in actively managing their sponsorship search.