development of elite performers in sport

what are the physcial personal factors required to be an elite performer

• highly skilled physcially or naturally talented

• high level of physical fitness (specific to sport)

• muscle fibre type (depending on sport)

• high tolerance to pain

what are the psychological personal factors to be an elite performer

• high levels of competitivenss

• high levels of motivation

• willingness to sacrifice in order to succeed

• high levels of mental toughness

what are the social and cultural factors required to be an elite performer

• support and encouragment from frineds and family (socially and emotionally important)

• high quality of coaches and mentors (motivational and quality of teaching)

• socio economic status (money to afford equipment, facilities, training)

• educational providers (private schools provide a larger variety of sports)

• structured levels of competition to progress through

• high levels of media coverage and role models to aspire to

what organistations help to run talent identification and elite performer progression

• UK Sport

• EIS

• NGB’s

how does UK Sport help elite athletes progress

Aim- develop high performnce sport in the UK

they oversee the running of Talent ID

They grant funds to the EIS

does this in two ways by using the funding from the Government and the National lottery

First way: giving money to NGB’s which helps them to operate the world class programme

Second way: provide funding to athletes directly through an athlete performance award- contributes to their living and sporting costs once they have reached elite level

How does the EIS help elite athletes progress

The EIS is owned by UK Sport

They get their funding via two ways:

• reciving grants from UK sports

• providing sercives to NGB’s

The services the EIS provides to NGB’s develop elite athletes (on the world class programme) such as performance analysis and sports medical support, physiotherpay, biomechanics

provide facilties:

• for Talent ID to take place in

• for coaches to develop players in e.g. physiology labs, physiotherapy suites, performance analysis suites

How do NGB’s help elite athletes progress

• help with the continuous development of Talent ID schemes to maintain the influx of talented athletes for all sports at an elite level

• help develop high quality coaches at the top level to ensure that players can continue to develop and progress to the elite level

• create and develop leagues and competitions to allow elite athletes to compete against each other and identify the best of the best

what are the reasons for using talent ID programmes

• all potential performers can be screened- gives everyone and opportunity

• performers can be directed to sports that suit their talents

• information gained from programmes leads to the accelerated development of performers

• more efficient use of available funding is possible

• the chances of producing medalists are improved

what are the possible disadvantages of talent ID programmes

they might miss late developers

the require large amounts of funding to run

there are no guarantees of success

what are the different stages within Talent ID programmes

Phase 1

Testing begins with a range of generic and physical skill based tests at various testing centres around the UK. Tests may include sprints, jumping and aerobic events

 

Phase 2-3

Further assess an athletes suitability for a sport. Assessments around functional movement, medical screening, performance workshops, and psychology/behavioural analysis

 

Phase 4 - (conformational phase)

6-12 month training programme where individuals will be continually assessed for suitability for elite sport

describe the world class performance programme

it’s an investment strategy that supports sports and athletes that are most likely to compete and win at the Olympic or Paralympic Games

it helps to make the best use of funding available to elite sport

World class performance programme operates at two levels that make up the world class performance pathway:

• podium

• podium potential

below this is the lower talent

describe the podium in the world class performance pathway

supports athletes with a realistic chance of winning a medal at the next Olympics/Paralympics within 4 years

describe the podium potential

supports athletes who’s recent performances suggest they have a realistic chance of winning a medal at the subsequent Olympics/Paralympics- 4-8 years

what is the lower talent

provides funding to identify and confirm athletes who have the potential to progress to the world class performance pathway

how do elite athletes receive funding

Only elite athletes on the world class performance pathway receive funding from UK Sport through the national lottery and government funding

Elite athletes who aren’t on the world class performance pathway receive funding through:

• Lottery grants via NGBs

• Grants from local authorities

• Sponsorship

• Appearance money

• Prize money

• Parents/own earnings

Many athletes don’t receive appearance money or prize money so they depend on sports aid or talented athlete scholarship schemes (TASS)- these are charities that depend on donations

what is the Gold Event series

one of UK Sport’s programmes that focuses on attracting World and European Championships to the UK

this in turn:

• creates high profile opportunities for people to engage in sport

• driving positive economic and social impacts for the UK → reinvest into elite sports funding

what are whole sport plans (WSP’s)

Sport England works with NGB’s to produce a whole sport plan

This is a 4 year plan that maps out how NGB’s will spend their money to achieve medals and increase participation- It helps to produce elite athletes and increase the chance of the UK winning medals

It’s funded by the national lottery

what are the roles of whole sport plans

• encourage participation and grow the sport

• improve peoples satisfaction from the game so they sustain a lifelong interest

• identify and develop talent

Outline the role and purpose of a national governing body in modern day sport

A National Governing Body (NGB) is an organisation responsible for the administration, development, and promotion of a specific sport within a country.

roles and purposes:

Rules and Regulations

NGBs establish and enforce the rules of the sport to ensure fair play and consistency at all levels.

Organising Competitions

They organise leagues, tournaments, and national competitions to provide structured competitive opportunities.

Talent Development Pathways

NGBs are responsible for identifying and nurturing talent through structured performance pathways and elite training programmes.

Coach and Officials Education

They provide training, accreditation, and continuous development opportunities for coaches and officials.

Increasing Participation

NGBs run initiatives to increase grassroots participation and promote inclusivity across all demographics.

Funding and Sponsorship

They secure funding from government and commercial sources and allocate it effectively to support development and performance.