Dear rector, dear committee and to all you others.

Dear rector, dear committee and to all you others.
For those of you that were here this morning, it says here that I am still happy, humble and grateful…

‘Muddling through’ The dynamics of talent development in Norwegian handball Christian Thue Bjørndal To present to you my doctoral dissertation which is titled ’Muddling through’ – The dynamics of talent development in Norwegian handball Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

‘Muddling through’ Refer to incrementalism, a planning methodology normally applied in instances in which a large strategic plan is either unnecessary or has failed to develop Incrementalism is the antithesis of intrusive central planning which may create rigid work systems that are unable to respond adequately to the problems faced by organisations and individuals at the grassroots level The title ‘muddling through’ refer to what is known as incrementalism: Incrementalism is a planning methodology normally applied in instances in which a large strategic plan is either unnecessary or has failed to develop. Incrementalism is the antithesis of intrusive central planning which may create rigid work systems that are unable to respond adequately to the problems faced by organisations and individuals at the grassroots level. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

‘Muddling through’ Describes how talented athletes ’muddle through’ the everyday opportunities and challenges of youth handball towards the adult elite level Focus our attention towards a strategy for leadership and coaching for athlete development that rests on flexibility, mutual adaptation and incremental leadership To a far extent, I have found that this: Describes how talented athletes ’muddle through’ the everyday opportunities and challenges of youth handball towards the adult elite level. And earlier today, I have argued this knowledge may be used to focus our attention towards a strategy for leadership and coaching for athlete development that rests on flexibility, mutual adaptation and incremental leadership. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Outline Implications and future research Key findings
Background Theoretical framework Design and methods Key findings Implications and future research The outline for my presentation will be as follows: I will present… I say some words… I will turn to present… I will show… I will finish off by sharing… Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Background Organisational, cultural and contextual conditions influence development (Araújo et al., 2010) Structured talent development and identification has been suggested as one of the foundations for international sporting success (De Bosscher, van Bottenburg & Shibli, 2006) However, the structured talent development and identification found in much contemporary sport science literature does not resemble the dynamics of talent development in Scandinavian team sport contexts (Andersen, Bjørndal & Ronglan, 2015) Studies of athletic development have traditionally focused on development as an individual enterprise informed by physiological and psychological frameworks. Far less attention has been given to the wider sociocultural contexts shaping development and performance, Although we know that organisational, cultural and contextual conditions influence development. Moreover, structured talent development and identification has been suggested as one of the foundations for international sporting success. However, the structured talent development and identification found in much contemporary sport science literature does not resemble the dynamics of talent development in Scandinavian team sport contexts. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Background To develop more contextualised and empirical knowledge, allowing us to better interpret the possibilities and limitations of the particular ways in which TD is developed in the Norwegian context More empirical knowledge was needed in order to understand how changes to the Norwegian model may have both intended and unintended consequences for the competitiveness of, and participation in, Norwegian handball So I had the sense that the organising of Norwegian handball deviated from what would be described as “successful” within the literature on elite sport systems. Based on this research gap and a lack of knowledge about how the specific organisational context of Norwegian handball facilitates and constrains development, I had two specific intentions: First, to develop more contextualised and empirical knowledge, allowing us to better interpret the possibilities and limitations of the particular ways in which talent development is developed in the Norwegian context. Secondly, I recognised that more empirical knowledge was needed in order to understand how changes to the Norwegian model may have both intended and unintended consequences that could affect the competitiveness of, and participation in, Norwegian handball. Developing knowledge about such issues is important because doing so has the potential to inform policy and decision-making, and may help to facilitate the continued success of Norwegian woman’s handball. It may also be of potential relevance to other sports and other sporting organisations. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

How does the organisational context of Norwegian handball shape and influence youth national team athletes’ experiences and development at the individual level? This led me to formulate the following research question. . Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Theoretical framework
The normative assumptions of the SMTD is that successful TD Can be achieved if talented athletes are identified early in their careers Is dependent on giving additional resources to a selected few Is characterised by progress being hierarchical and linear Is best achieved if athletes can be selected and de-selected from one level to the next The Standard Model of Talent Development was coined by Bailey & Collins (2013) as a critique to the underlying thinking of many elite sport organisations. To conceptualise this: Talent development systems have typically been described as hierarchical, linear, and rests on the assumption that strong support structures is important in order to provide the ‘special attention’ needed for successful athlete development. It is such ‘pyramid models’ that Bailey and Collins coined the Standard Model of Talent Development in their 2013 article, were they criticised the underlying thinking of many elite sport organisations. Whereas the normative assumptions of the Standard Model of TD is that successful talent development: Can be achieved if talented athletes are identified early in their careers Is dependent on giving additional resources to a selected few Is characterised by progress being hierarchical and linear Is best achieved if athletes can be selected and de-selected from one level to the next Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

The Standard Model of Talent Development was coined by Bailey & Collins (2013) as a critique to the underlying thinking of many elite sport organisations. The concept of an Ecology of Games was developed by Long (1958) to better describe the dynamics inherent within complex and multi-centric organisational structures. However, the organising of talent development in Norwegian handball does not resemble a ‘pyramid model’. Rather, it is heterarchical and multi-centred. To inform my analysis, I used the concept of an Ecology of Games which was developed by Norton Long (1958) to better describe the dynamics inherent within complex and multi-centric organisational structures. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Athletes are part of several connected but loosely coupled contexts Club-based teams Sport school programs Regional level TD initiatives Youth national teams The different organisational actors act based on their own interests and aims The concept of an Ecology of Games was developed by Long (1958) to better describe the dynamics inherent within complex and multi-centric organisational structures. When applying the Ecology of Games framework to the analysis of talent development: Athletes are understood to be part of several immediate contexts that are connected but often loosely coupled. In Norway, these include… The different organisational actors act based on their own interests and aims Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Design and methods The study was designed as a case study of talent development within the context of Norwegian handball Two levels of analysis: Organisational level (focusing on the interactions between the NHF, clubs and sport schools) Individual level (focusing on the interactions between athletes and the practice and competitive settings in which they participate) To answer the research question, the study was designed as a case study of talent development within the context of Norwegian handball. I focused on two levels of analysis: The organisational level, where I focused on the interactions taking place between the Norwegian Handball Federation, clubs and sport schools. The individual level, where I focused on the interactions that athletes experienced in the different practice and competition settings in which they participated. Hereunder, their interactions with the coaches working in these different team settings Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Design and methods Case studies represent a research strategy whereas the purpose is to investigate a ‘real-life’ phenomenon within the ‘real-life’ context in which it is located (Yin, 2013) Case study methodology is well suited to the analysis of processes in context (George & Bennett, 2005) Case studies represent a research strategy whereas the purpose is to investigate a 'real-life' phenomenon within the 'real-life' context in which it is located. Case study methodology is well suited to the analysis of processes in context. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Design and methods Data was collected over a period of almost four years The study consisted of four independent studies that focused on different embedded units The purpose of embedded case studies is to investigate key elements or processes, and to build a comprehensive analysis of a wider system as a whole (Yin, 2013) I collected data over a period of almost four years The study consisted of four independent case studies that focused on different embedded units. The purpose of such embedded case studies is to investigate key elements or processes and to build a comprehensive analysis of a wider system as a whole. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Overview of papers Muddling through
Bjørndal, C. T., Ronglan, L. T., & Andersen, S. S. (2015). Talent development as an ecology of games: a case study of Norwegian handball. Sport, Education and Society (Advance online publication), 1-14. Bjørndal, C. T., & Ronglan, L. T. (2017). Orchestrating talent development: youth players’ developmental experiences in Scandinavian team sports. Sports Coaching Review (Advance online publication), 1-22. Bjørndal, C. T., Ronglan, L. T., & Andersen, S. S. (2016). The diversity of developmental paths among youth athletes: A 3-year longitudinal study of Norwegian handball players. Talent development & Excellence, 8(2), Bjørndal, C. T., Andersen, S. S., & Ronglan, L. T. (In review). Successful and unsuccessful transitions to the elite level: The youth national team pathways in Norwegian handball. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. These four independent studies were all written up as four independent papers, and they served as the basis of my thesis. Whereas the first three have now been published and while the last one is still in the peer review process. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Study 1: The organising of TD in Norwegian handball
Aims: To describe how TD is organised in Norwegian handball To identify how inherent organisational characteristics influence TD processes To consider if contemporary normative TD models provide an adequate conceptualisation of the actual applied model More specifically, the first study aimed to… Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Participants: 12 experienced coaches and professionals With experience from different settings within the organisational structure (club, school, regional and national level etc.) I strategically selected 12 key informants that represented: Experienced coaches and professionals Which had experience from different settings within the organisational structure Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Data collection: 12 semi-structured interviews Strategic plans and internal documentation from the NHF The data analysis was conceptually driven by the EG framework I conducted 12 semi-structured interviews, And I reviewed strategic plans and internal documentation from the Norwegian Handball Federation. The analysis was conceptually driven by the Ecology of Games framework. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Study 2: Athletes’ developmental experiences
Aims: To investigate youth national team players’ experiences of their developmental processes The research findings was used to discuss the implications for the role of coaches involved in talent development in team sport settings The second study aimed to… Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Participants: 12 athletes who had different amounts of experience with club-based, school- based and federation-based TD activities Different developmental trajectories leading to national team selection Represented different geographical regions in Norway I purposely sampled 12 athletes who had: Different amounts of experience with club-based, school-based and federation-based TD activities Different developmental trajectories leading to national team selection Represented different geographical regions in Norway Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Data collection semi-structured interviews 6 months of fieldwork (40 days) in national team activities prior to the interviews The data analysis was inductive I interviewed 12 female handball players twice, a year in between. Prior to this, I had spent about 40 days over a period of 6 months doing fieldwork. The data analysis was inductive Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Study 3: Pathways to the elite, near-elite and non-elite level
Aims: To investigate individual pathways to the adult elite level among a group of players with youth national team experience To examine differences between players who developed to the elite, near-elite and non-elite level The third study aimed to: Investigating individual pathways to the adult elite level among a group of players with youth national team experience To examine differences between players who developed to the elite, near-elite and non-elite level Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Study 3: Pathways to the elite, near-elite and non-elite level
Participants: 33 youth national team athletes (cohort) 74 youth national team athletes (total sample) Data collection: Self-report questionnaires (weekly training schedules; involvement in different team settings) Publicly available participation statistics We followed a cohort of 33 athletes who had been selected to take part in youth national team activities over a period of three years. We also included all the players who had been selected to national team activities within that age-group for the final analysis, were I looked at differences in involvement with practice and competition for the national team. Data was gathered from self-reported responses to a questionnaire about their practice and competition schedules, and publically available statistics about the player participation of those selected to the youth national team. The participants was divided into three groups, based on their level of performance after three years (elite, near-elites and non-elites). Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Study 4: Successful and unsuccessful transitions
Aim: To investigate the successful and unsuccessful transitions to the elite level The fourth study aimed to… Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Participants: 9 athletes from the longitudinal study Strategic sampling based on: Most similar in terms of exposure to similar amounts and types of youth elite activities Different outcomes of the transition process I selected nine athletes that had taken part in the longitudinal study, whereas five of the nine athletes had established themselves successfully at the adult elite level; the other four had either quit or had continued to play at a lower level during the previous season. They were purposely sampled based on their similarity in terms of exposure to similar amounts and types of youth elite activities, And the differences in terms of the outcome of the transition to the adult elite level. This kind of strategic sampling, based on the dependent variable, made it possible to trace and compare key elements in the processes that appeared to have led to different outcomes. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Data collection: 9 semi-structured interview 7 of the athletes had been interviewed twice before and all had been part of the cohort The data analysis was inductive I conducted 9 interviews, whereas 7 of the participants had already been interviewed twice during the previous years. The data analysis was inductive Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Key findings The organising of athlete development is heterarchical and multi-centric The different team settings are connected, but loosely coupled No actor has sole responsibility for talent development, instructional authority over another. These four studies resulted in a comprehensive overview of how the organisational context of Norwegian handball shape and influence youth national team athletes’ experiences and development at the individual level. Whereas, the organising of athlete development is heterarchical and multi-centric Whereas, the different team settings are connected, but loosely coupled system No actor has sole responsibility for talent development, instructional authority over another. As I said this morning, and most importantly, my position on the model found is neither that it is ’good’ nor ‘bad’. Rather, its unique features both enable and constrain individual development, and create both intended and unintended consequences in certain different ways. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it “works” The model creates complimentary influences I think that the sport school programme helps a lot. There you get to practice more individually, in your playing position, and you get to manage yourself a lot. There’s more focus on practising according to my particular needs and I think that is good. When it works, the model creates complimentary influences and is adaptive to individual needs, as the following quotes illustrate: Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it “works” I think it would have been difficult to be picked to represent the youth national team without having the experience from the regional level TD initiatives. I wouldn’t have been used to meeting new people and competing for selection. I would have been shocked! So I really think it has been good that I have that experience. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it “works” I profit more from training with the elite team, but if you consider the social aspect of it and what really gives me motivation – it’s really to practice with the U18 team. It is probably just because I’ve just begun training with the elite players and haven’t gotten to know them yet. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it “works” When I practise with the elite team I have someone to look up to who is well over my skill level. I think that is important and that is why I’m changing clubs. When you’re at practice and you don’t get any resistance – that’s not fun. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it “works” This creates multiple pathways to the adult elite level This creates multiple pathways to the adult elite level. This illustration shows some examples of the different pathways within club-based competition for some of the athletes in my cohort. Whereas, you can see that the different athletes start at different levels And progress at different rates, most often stepwise, but not always (some take 'the elevator'). Moreover, when reviewing their involvement with different team settings, I found more variation within the groups that ended up at the adult elite level, than I found differences between the elites and near-elites, meaning that it does not seem to be a single preferred pathway. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it does not “work” The model is frequently experienced as exhausting The handball season is a full year when you are a youth national team player. Whenever we have a break from club activities, the national team uses it. There is no time to recover and pause. The break you have from club activities in May coincides with the period for most of the national team activities. In addition, you have your exams at school. It is hard. When it does not ”work” the model is frequently experienced as exhausting. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it does not “work” I should not have played in three to four teams or skipped practice to play matches. But players do not say ”no” to playing a match instead of going to practice. The coaches need to be determined and pose a demand: that you actually need to practise if you are to play. I often went straight from being injured to playing matches. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it does not “work” I was told that I could forget getting back into any national team squad if I said no to any single national team activity. […] So I did not dare because I thought I would not stand a chance otherwise. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it does not “work” The risk of injuries increase
Nobody took me seriously. I said that [the injury] hurt. The national team physiotherapist told me to attend the training camp just so she could have a look. I was in so much pain during the first practice that [the physio] wanted to send me back home but then the pain decreased and I played the World Championship. When I got back home, we were on a pre-season training camp and there [the coach] did not take me seriously. I told him that it hurt but he commanded me to run high-intensity intervals with the rest of the team. When I came back home I was totally wrecked. The risk of injuries increase. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it does not “work” I had to perform well in school [handball]. I had to perform well in the national team and I had to perform well in front of the club coach. There was no cooperation. […] It really just became too much. It was demotivating. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

When it does not “work” Who makes it to the adult elite level and who don’t become (more) reliant on coincidences I was about to sign the contract when I noticed there was something wrong with my salary. […] We were to meet the next day so that we could sign the correct contract. That same day [Sophie] tore her ACL and then [Sophie’s elite club] called me and asked if I could come play for them instead. It was pure chance. For good and for worse, who makes it to the adult elite level, and who don’t become, (more) reliant on a series of coincidences. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Orchestrating talent development
Because the key for the individual athlete is to be in position for a successful transition to the adult level at the time when she finish high school! Orchestrating talent development Theoretical and practical implications

The main precondition for getting the opportunity to realise one’s potential is to be healthy and “free” of injuries A significant and (quite) random portion of these players have to step back or let go due to overuse at the age of 19 years The main precondition for getting the opportunity to realise one’s potential and see how far one can stretch one’s abilities, is to be healthy and “free” of injuries And please have in mind that the group I followed was already a selected population: They were all highly motivated, fit and very skilled. The point is not to claim that all of them should become adult elite players, But that a significant and (quite) random portion of these players have to step back or let go due to overuse at the age of 19 years Orchestrating talent development Theoretical and practical implications

When it ‘works’ When it does not ‘work’ Muddling through
Complimentary influences Creates various pathways to the adult elite level Making more room for more (different) players longer The model is frequently experienced as exhausting The risk of injuries increase Who makes it to the adult elite level, and who don’t, become (more) reliant on coincidences To summarize, when the model ’works’: The model creates complimentary influences. That facilitate various pathways to adult elite level. Possibly making more room for more, and more different, players for a longer period of time (compared to other ways of organising talent development systems). When it don’t ‘work’: The model is frequently experienced as exhausting. The risk of injuries increases. This means that who make it to the adult elite level, and who don’t, become more reliant on coincidences. And I said so earlier today, the colours represent the strength of my inferences. I think that I can make a strong inference from the green boxes. And I also do think that we have sufficient, but not exhaustive, evidence to back up the yellow boxes as well. While the inferences drawn from the orange boxes are plausible hypothesis' but definetely in need of further research. I am sure the committee would like to discuss that further later. Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Implications and future research
Team sport settings amplify the dilemmas related to trying to facilitate short-term team performance and long-term athlete development Heterarchical and multi-centric systems increases the costs of coordination Coordination is key, and can be achieved. However, it is not dependent on rigid planning and pre-determined ‘optimal’ strategies If we are to turn to some of the implications and ideas for future research, it seems that: Team sport settings amplify the dilemmas related to between short-term team performance and long-term athlete development. Heterarchical and multi-centric systems increases the costs of coordination Coordination is key, and can be achieved. However, it is not dependent on rigid planning and pre-determined ‘optimal’ strategies Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

In heterarchical and multi-centric systems, successful athlete development depends on: Coaches’ and practitioners’ being attentive beyond one’s own team setting Coaches (and athletes) practicing flexibility Coaches (and athletes) practicing mutual adaptation Rather, in heterarchical and multi-centric systems successful athlete development depends on: Coaches’ and practitioners’ being attentive beyond one’s own team setting Coaches (and athletes) practicing flexibility Coaches (and athletes) practicing mutual adaptation Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Voluntary-based vs. commercialized sport organisations are radically different, and may have strong implications on what constitute “effective” leadership The problem is not to produce world- class handball players but rather a question of values and costs Going back to this mornings trial lecture and the question posed by prof. Collins, where I think I think I underscored an important point: Voluntary-based vs. commercialized athlete development are radically different, and may have strong implications on what constitute “effective” leadership The problem is not to produce world-class handball players (because there Norwegian handball can compete in numbers) but rather a question of the values we communicate and it costs Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Capturing the subjective experience of athletes provides a different and important approach to understanding developmental processes, because people’s behaviour and conduct are based largely on how they interpret their contexts (Capra & Luisi, 2014) It is important to move talent development research forward by communicating across and beyond the confines of traditional disciplines, and by supporting more interdisciplinary approaches I think that capturing the subjective experience of athletes provides a different and important approach to understanding developmental processes, because people’s behaviour and conduct are based largely on how they interpret their contexts In order to do so, it is important to move talent development research forward by communicating across and beyond the confines of traditional disciplines, and by supporting more interdisciplinary approaches Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

Coming back to ’muddling’
If we accept that the world of athlete development is a complex adaptive system, whereas athletes are exposed to rapidly changing environments, it becomes difficult to make forecasts or long-term planning (Sullivan, 2011) A strategy of ‘muddling’ challenge the rational idea that long-term goals and planning creates the best results, and instead may provide a quite effective alternative Coming back to muddling: If we accept that the world of athlete development is a complex adaptive system, whereas athletes are exposed to rapidly changing environments, it becomes difficult to make forecasts or long-term planning It is here where a strategy of ‘muddling’ challenge the rational idea that long-term goals and planning creates the best results, and instead may provide a quite effective alternative

Muddling may instead: Minimise risks and more easily enable a change of direction Create room for flexibility and improvisation Better facilitate the finetuning of the ongoing and everyday processes important to athlete development Enable mutual adaptation to other actors Muddling may instead: Minimise risks and more easily enable a change of direction, by not being preoccupied with a preferred “path” or plan. Create room for flexibility and improvisation Thus, better facilitate the finetuning of the ongoing and everyday processes important to athlete development More easily enable mutual adaptation to other actors

In the world of policy, there are seldom clear decisions or clear problems. Outcomes are built from bits and pieces of action, policy, and advice that are lying about. Since small wins are of a size that lets them supplement rather than dominate policy, there are more likely to be incorporated than are other more conspicuous solutions. (Weick, 1984) I will end by quoting the organisational psychologist Karl E. Weick, who wrote this about the importance of focusing on incremental change which he labels ’small wins’… It is here I do not think that the implications of my research suppose any radical change to the model, only small modifications and some fine-tuning. Because I do believe that…

It is our attention to the everyday, mundane activities across team setting that allows us to better navigate the challenges of providing better and safer talent development. So that more talented athletes can continue to ‘muddle through. It is our attention to the everyday, mundane activities across team setting that allows us to better navigate the challenges of providing better and safer talent development. – and I think this is what my study has tried to focus on – So that more talented handball players can continue to ‘muddle through’.

Thank you for your attention!
Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

References Muddling through Talent development in Norwegian handball

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