1. SPORTS EXCELLENCE SUMMARY

2. What do I need to know?
Identify the stages of Sport England’s development continuum
Explain various socio-cultural factors influencing progression through the continuum
Explain the role and structure of the WCPP
Identify and explain how various organisations support the progression of performers to elite level
Compare role and support given by EIS and UK Sport

3. Sport England’s Sport Development Continuum:
Excellent
Performance
Participation
Foundation
This shows the progressive development of an athlete from beginner level to elite level

4. High level of ability and natural talent
Factors influencing the progression to sports excellence. The physical and psychological qualities necessary to become an elite performer:
High level of ability and natural talent
High level of skill and fitness
Appropriate somatotype for sport
Motivation and long term commitment to train; determination to be the best
Control of arousal levels
Ability to accept constructive feedback
Mental toughness, readiness for self-sacrifice, high level of self confidence

5. The Social and Cultural influences that can affect participation and progress
Tradition of sports participation
Popularity of sport at school
Positive role models and media coverage to inspire participation
Structured levels of competition
Parental influence or pressure – family support and religious preferences
Teacher’s specialities and interests
Access to facilities in your area
Availability of specialist coaches and support

6. Talent Identification and Development Programmes
UK Sport, NGB’s and EIS work in partnership to finding sporting talent with the potential to win medals and world titles
Talent ID programmes need to consider:
Physiological factors: Fitness
Anthropometry: Height for Volleyball and Rowing
Psychological factors: mental toughness
Hereditary factors or natural advantages
Sociological factors: family support

7. Talent Identification and Development Programmes
Why use Talent ID programmes:
All potential performers can be screened
Performers can be directed towards their talents
Development process can be accelerated
Make use of available funding
Increase chances of producing medallists
Co-ordinated approach between organisations

8. Talent Identification and Development Programmes
Schools are a perfect place to find potential talent as it reaches the maximum number of children. Not all children are at clubs as they do not yet realise their potential in a sport
Drawbacks
Deemed expensive
May miss late developers
No guarantee of success
Specialise early: too much stress and psychological pressure to succeed

9. What makes a Talent ID Programme Effective?
Simplicity of record keeping, admin and clear roles
Monitoring Systems built on good practice and appropriate tests
Provision of sports services to support performers (sports Scientists, Physiotherapists)
Well structured competition programme and development squads at various levels
Specialist facilities and funding for different stages
Performance lifestyle support to cope with demands of participation and work/education, family life etc

10. World Class Performance Pathway (WCPP)
UK Sport set up the WCPP funding on 3 levels for Olympic and Paralympic performers
Podium - supporting athletes with realistic medal winning capabilities at the next Olympic/Paralympic Games (typically 4 years away from the podium)
Development – comprising of athletes whose performances have suggested that they have realistic medal winning capabilities (typically 6 years from the podium)
Talent - designed to support the identification and confirmation of athletes who have the potential to progress through the World Class pathway with the help of targeted investment (typically 8 years from the podium)