the talent identification process

The Talent Identification The Talent Identification and Development Processand Development Process

Keith Lyons

Running Sport Seminar

London, February 2002

The Challenge that Faces Us

Age Profile Trends in the UK Males 1999-2026

0

5

10

15

20

25

1999 2011 2026

% of Population

Under 16 16-24

Female Trends 1999-2026

0

5

10

15

20

25

1999 2011 2026

% of Population

Under 16 16-24

In Numbers!

Age Group 2000 2010 2020

5 to 9 3.85m 3.7m 3.25m

10 – 14 3.9m 3.6m 3.25m

15 – 19 3.7m 3.9m 3.4m

20 - 24 3.5m 3.95m 3.65m

Total 14.95m 15.15m 13.55m

As % of Population

25% 25% 22%

Introduction

Clarification of terminology Contexts Measurement Issues Talent Development Long-term vision and sport system

building

There is no one correct model for talent identification and selection. It is dependent on the complexity of the sport (from a predictive perspective) and the infrastructure of the sport at a local, regional and national level.

Debbie Hoare (2001)

Clarification

IDENTIFICATIONScreening using selected tests to identify potential for success. Previous involvement NOT a prerequisite.

SELECTION

Screening of athletes currently participating in a sport using experienced coaches and/or selected tests to identify those most likely to succeed.

Clarification

DEVELOPMENT Infrastructure to enable identified/selected athlete to develop full potential.

TARGETED

RECRUITMENT

Programmes that recruit talented athletes from locations where infrastructure already in place.

Contexts: Demand

Nature (Genetics)

Nurture (Environment)

Cyclical, repetitive: physical/physiological

Individual sports: physical/ physiological/skill

Racket sports

Physical, physiological, skill and decision making

Skill

Contexts: Sports

Nature (Genetics)

Nurture (Environment)

Athletics, cycling, triathlon, rowing

Swimming, gymnastics, boxing

Racket sports

Team ball sportsShooting, archery

How much of an athlete’s performance potential can you measure in your sport?

Measurement (Generic)

Performance

Anthropomorphic

Psycho-social

Genetic

Measurement?

Physical Physiological Psychological Perceptual Technique/skill Sociological Maturational

Yes Yes Yes … but … Yes … but … Yes Yes Yes

The dynamic of these performance factors changes over the maturational

cycle. Performance monitoring will enable us to understand more about

interactions.

Istvan Balyi’s Development Model

EARLY

SPECIALISATION

SPORTS

Gymnastics, figure skating, swimming, diving, table tennis.

LATE

SPECIALISATION

SPORTS

Athletics, combative sports, cycling, rowing, team sports.

It is difficult to envisage a system of selection that is not linked to subsequent programmes of development.

Borms (1994)

Pathways?

Sampling

Specialisation

Investment

FUNdamentals

Training to train Training to compete

Training to win

Retirement/Retaining

Long-Term Athlete Development

A specific and well-planned training, competition and recovery regime will ensure optimum development throughout an athlete’s career. Ultimately success comes from training and performing well over the long-term rather than winning in the short-term. There is no short cut to success in athletic preparation.

Balyi (2001)

Sport System Building

Can we develop a sport system that will encourage co-operation within and between sports?

Can we develop a comprehensive curriculum of sport education for athletes, coaches and parents?

NGB INTEGRATED PLANNING MODELA comprehensive, integrated and athlete-centred approach

to Talent development focused on LTAD

Athlete Needs

Activity design

Teacher/coach

Competition

Club/venue

Facility/equip.

Resources

Horizontal and Vertical Integration

T to WFUNDAMENTALS T to T T to C

NGB Delivery

(National to Local)Active Schools Active Sp./ WCS WC Pot. WC Perf.

Around 80% of this year’s young racing pigeons have disappeared in a zone bordered by three motorways: the M1, M62 and M621 and owners have no idea why.

Around 80% of this year’s young racing pigeons have disappeared in a zone bordered by three motorways: the M1, M62 and M621 and owners have no idea why.

“When we get in the pub on a Saturday night and get a pint, we start coming up with answers for what might be happening. We’ve come up with mobile phone masts and we know hawks get them…”

“When we get in the pub on a Saturday night and get a pint, we start coming up with answers for what might be happening. We’ve come up with mobile phone masts and we know hawks get them…”

With me only having a small team to compete with the big lofts, I’ve got to have a team of yearlings and two-year-olds which I’ve not been able to get in the last year through losing youngsters. So I can’t compete with the top men.”

With me only having a small team to compete with the big lofts, I’ve got to have a team of yearlings and two-year-olds which I’ve not been able to get in the last year through losing youngsters. So I can’t compete with the top men.”