Press Releases
Talent Identification and Development
26 Jul 2004
A lack of success at a young age doesn't mean a child won't become a champion; deliberate practice is as important as innate talent; and the acquisition of basic motor skills in early childhood is crucial, are findings revealed today by a new SPARC-commissioned Talent Identification and Development Taskforce.
Chaired by Sir Ronald Scott, the Taskforce investigated best practice models and research to discover whether it is possible to predict future talent based on current performance, and if international methods could be applied to New Zealand to significantly raise performance standards.
The Taskforce's conclusion, consistent with findings by sports science researchers world wide, is that there is no simple way to accurately identify future talent as talent is multi-dimensional. It can emerge at any point during an athlete's development, and is affected by factors such as genetics, environment, mental, physiology and support. However, it is possible to create an environment that increases the chances of athletes fulfilling their potential.
"The key is to establish a holistic, long term development process, with an on-going identification strategy built into it," says SPARC Chief Executive Nick Hill. "This will increase the opportunities for talented athletes to succeed. But it takes an average of 12-13 years of deliberate training and development in order to develop talent in most athletes, and the foundations are laid in early childhood, so we will not see the changes overnight.
"The Taskforce particularly emphasised the importance of ensuring that all children master fundamental motor skills at an early age, as one of the cornerstones of the successful development of talent is that every child should be physically literate. They also identified quality physical activity programmes in schools as the best foundation for the initial stages of a young athlete's talent development. Other important aspects are quality coaching, supportive parents, emphasis on the joy of sport rather than pressure to perform and access to opportunities."
SPARC is currently considering the Taskforce's recommendations and ways they could be implemented. "The Taskforce has provided us with an 'ideal world' approach and a very solid foundation on which to advance," says Nick Hill. "Their recommendations will have a big influence on our eventual athlete identification and development strategy, which is crucial if New Zealand is to ensure future success at an elite level.
"The good news is that SPARC has already done a huge amount of work around encouraging fundamental motor skills for kids with our Active Movement programme; increased coaching through the CoachForce programme announced two weeks ago; and our Push Play campaign which advocates physical activity for all.
"However, the implications of the report are far reaching and require the participation and collaboration of the whole sports sector as well as the New Zealand education system. It is also a project that will require sustained long term effort over many years, the benefits of which will be evident by 2016. SPARC will be taking a leadership position in seeking to realise the Taskforce's vision and ensuring that New Zealand's athletes remain competitive on the world stage."
Download the Taskforce's report, Linking Promise to the Podium PDF
SPARC's Active Movement programme: www.sparc.org.nz/news/100504_earlychildhood.php
SPARC's CoachForce programme: www.sparc.org.nz/news/150704_coachforce.php
Updated | 30 Mar 2006.
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