Talent Identification or Talent Development?

Objectives Define Talent Identification and Talent Development Define Talent Identification and Talent Development List potential implications for Talent programmes List potential implications for Talent programmes Identify the issues surrounding Talent ID Identify the issues surrounding Talent ID Develop an argument for an against ID or Development Develop an argument for an against ID or Development

The Argument Talent Detection and Identification or Talent Development? Talent Detection and Identification or Talent Development?

The Implications Funding Funding Resource deployment Resource deployment Coach / Practitioner education Coach / Practitioner education Others? Others?

Potential Predictors of Talent Sociological Physical Physiological Psychology & Personality NATURE OR NURTURE?

Detection and Identification Genetics Genetics Australian sports scientists have discovered a specific gene linked to athletic performance Australian sports scientists have discovered a specific gene linked to athletic performance ACTN-3 ACTN-3 2 Types: 2 Types: predisposed as sprinters predisposed as sprinters Excellence in endurance sports Excellence in endurance sports Miah and Rich (2006) Miah and Rich (2006)

Heritability coefficients Adapted from Bouchard and Malina (1983) and Maes et al (1993) Adapted from Bouchard and Malina (1983) and Maes et al (1993) A coefficient of 1 indicates a total dependence on genetic factors A coefficient of 1 indicates a total dependence on genetic factors 0 indicates no genetic influence 0 indicates no genetic influence

Anthropometry Height 0.85±0.07 Leg Strength 0.80±0.10 Height / Weight 0.53±0.19 Skinfolds 0.55±0.26 Ectomorphy 0.35±0.50 Mesomorphy0.42 Endomorphy0.50 Physiology VO2 Max Slow-twitch muscle fibres Anaerobic power Muscle endurance Field & Performance tests Sprinting Jumping Flexibility Balance Static Strength

Physiological Testing Cost Cost Is mass screening possible? Is mass screening possible? Validity? Validity? Reliability? Reliability? Snap shot Snap shot Needs to be longitudinal / progressive Needs to be longitudinal / progressive Would this defy the purpose of talent ID? Would this defy the purpose of talent ID? Maturation? Maturation?

Breakdown of birth dates for England World Cup campaign players between 1986 and 1998 (Richardson, 1998). World Cup Year Conclusions & Implications?

Trials A method of identifying talent A method of identifying talent Advantages Advantages Low costs Low costs Low administration Low administration Disadvantages Disadvantages Psychological tension Psychological tension Familiarity Familiarity Overplay Overplay Isolation Isolation Environment Environment

Summary: Talent Detection & Identification Compile a summary Compile a summary One paragraph One paragraph List the positives associated with talent Detection and Identification programmes List the positives associated with talent Detection and Identification programmes Identify the potential issues Identify the potential issues Discuss in pairs Discuss in pairs

Talent Development: The Case Robin Friday – Footballer A true story Should have played for England Played for Reading 135 times (53 goals) Played for Cardiff 25 times (7 goals) Quit the game Died aged 38 following years of alcohol and drug abuse Troubled, strong-minded & reckless

Talent Development Sociological factors Sociological factors Family, Friends, Coaches, School teachers all have the potential to influence talent development Family, Friends, Coaches, School teachers all have the potential to influence talent development

Psychological characteristics No study in sport has shown psychological characteristics to be stable through development period (adolescence to adulthood) No study in sport has shown psychological characteristics to be stable through development period (adolescence to adulthood) Morris (2000) Morris (2000) Use of psychological skills discriminates medal and non-medal winners Use of psychological skills discriminates medal and non-medal winners Gould et al (1992) Gould et al (1992)

The Role of Nature and Nurture in Elite ‘Player’ Development (adapted from Bloom, 1976) Initial PerformanceEventual PerformanceProcess Motor / Technical Perceptual / Cognitive Psychological Physical Physiological Practice Coaching / Instruction Training & Preparation Familial influences Resources NATURE NURTURE

Conclusion Nature (detection / identification) and Nurture (Development) both contribute to Talent production Nature (detection / identification) and Nurture (Development) both contribute to Talent production Where should the focus of Talent programmes lie? Where should the focus of Talent programmes lie?

Balancing Act? Detection / Identification Development

Write your own conclusion: Consider both viewpoints Identification Identification Development

Reading Abbott, A. and Collins, D. (2004). Eliminating the dichotomy between theory and practice in talent identification: considering the role of psychology. Journal of sports sciences, 22, Abbott, A. and Collins, D. (2004). Eliminating the dichotomy between theory and practice in talent identification: considering the role of psychology. Journal of sports sciences, 22, Miah, A. & Rich, E. (2006). Genetic tests for ability?: talent identification and the value of an open future. Sport, Education and Society, 11,3,pp Miah, A. & Rich, E. (2006). Genetic tests for ability?: talent identification and the value of an open future. Sport, Education and Society, 11,3,pp Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. & Franks, A. (2000). Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. & Franks, A. (2000). Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18,