This document discusses the challenges of identifying and developing athletic talent in the UK. It notes declining population trends among younger age groups that will reduce the talent pool. It discusses different models of talent identification, selection, and development. The document emphasizes that development programs must be linked to identification and selection to ensure athletes can fulfill their potential. It also stresses the need for a long-term approach to athletic development through childhood, adolescence, and their athletic careers. Finally, it argues that sports organizations need integrated, athlete-centered planning from the community to elite levels to build an effective sport system for developing talent.

1. The Talent Identification
and Development Process
Keith Lyons
Running Sport Seminar
London, February 2002

3. The Challenge that Faces Us

4. Age Profile Trends in the UK
Males 1999-2026
25
20
15
10
% of Population
5
0
1999 2011 2026
Under 16 16-24

5. Female Trends 1999-2026
25
20
15
10
% of Population
5
0
1999 2011 2026
Under 16 16-24

6. 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 25% 25% 22%
Population

7. Introduction
♦ Clarification of terminology
♦ Contexts
♦ Measurement Issues
♦ Talent Development
♦ Long-term vision and sport system
building

8. 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)

9. Clarification
Screening using selected tests to
IDENTIFICATION identify potential for success.
Previous involvement NOT a
prerequisite.
Screening of athletes
currently participating in a
SELECTION sport using experienced
coaches and/or selected tests
to identify those most likely
to succeed.

10. Clarification
DEVELOPMENT Infrastructure to enable
identified/selected athlete to
develop full potential.
TARGETED Programmes that recruit
talented athletes from
RECRUITMENT locations where
infrastructure already in
place.

11. Contexts: Demand
Nature
(Genetics)
Cyclical, repetitive: physical/physiological
Individual sports: physical/ physiological/skill
Racket sports
Physical, physiological, skill and decision making
Skill
Nurture
(Environment)

12. Contexts: Sports
Nature
(Genetics)
Athletics, cycling, triathlon, rowing
Swimming, gymnastics, boxing
Racket sports
Team ball sports
Shooting, archery
Nurture
(Environment)

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

14. Measurement (Generic)
♦ Performance
♦ Anthropomorphic
♦ Psycho-social
♦ Genetic

15. Measurement?
♦ Physical ♦ Yes
♦ Physiological ♦ Yes
♦ Psychological ♦ Yes … but …
♦ Perceptual ♦ Yes … but …
♦ Technique/skill ♦ Yes
♦ Sociological ♦ Yes
♦ Maturational ♦ Yes

16. The dynamic of these performance
factors changes over the maturational
cycle. Performance monitoring will
enable us to understand more about
interactions.

17. Istvan Balyi’s Development Model
EARLY
Gymnastics, figure skating,
SPECIALISATION swimming, diving, table
tennis.
SPORTS
LATE Athletics, combative
sports, cycling, rowing,
SPECIALISATION team sports.
SPORTS

18. It is difficult to envisage a system
of selection that is not linked to
subsequent programmes of
development.
Borms (1994)

19. Pathways?
♦ Sampling ♦ FUNdamentals
♦ Specialisation ♦ Training to train
♦ Training to compete
♦ Investment ♦ Training to win
♦ Retirement/Retaining

20. 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)

21. 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?

22. NGB INTEGRATED PLANNING MODEL
A comprehensive, integrated and athlete-centred approach
to Talent development focused on LTAD
Athlete Needs FUNDAMENTALS T to T T to C T to W
Activity design
Teacher/coach
Competition Horizontal
and Vertical
Club/venue Integration
Facility/equip.
Resources
NGB Delivery
(National to Local)
Active Schools Active Sp./ WCS WC Pot. WC Perf.

23. 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 With me only having a small
on a Saturday night and team to compete with the big
get a pint, we start coming lofts, I’ve got to have a team of
up with answers for what yearlings and two-year-olds
might be happening. which I’ve not been able to get
We’ve come up with in the last year through losing
mobile phone masts and youngsters. So I can’t compete
we know hawks get with the top men.”
them…”