3.2.6. Routes to Sporting Excellence Flashcards
What is UK sport?
The identification of potential athletes has been formalised and organised by UK Sport.
Phase 1 of UK Sport talent identification
- Athlete is assessed in a range of skill based and physical tests
- An in depth analysis of the athlete’s competition and training history takes place
Phase 2-3 of UK Sport talent identification
- Further assessment of suitability
- Preparation for training and development
- Physical/ medical screening/ testing
- Psychological assessment
Phase 4 (confirmation phase) of UK Sport talent identification
6-12 month trial in the specific sport’s elite training environment
What happens after phase 4 of the UK Sport talent identification?
Progress to elite programme OR return to club level
What is the pathway health check?
Every 4 years a check on performance and fitness levels takes place to see whether performer is on track.
National campaign examples
- Tall and Talented
- Discover your Power
- Girls4Gold
- Find Your Greatness
What is the World Class Programme?
UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative to identify, develop + supported talented athletes towards medical success at Olympics and other global major championships
Podium World Class Programme
Supporting athletes with realistic medal winning capabilities- max 4 yrs from Olympics
Podium potential World Class Programme
Supporting athletes whose performance suggests they have realistic medal winning capabilities at subsequent Olympics- max 8 yrs from Olympics
Role of UK Sport in developing sporting excellence/ high performance sport
- E: elite coaches supports their development
- L: National Lottery Funding via World Class Programme
- I: National Institutes- provides funding
- I: Attracts international top level competitions to the UK
- Te: Talent identification- implements talent ID schemes
- Funding: works with NGBs to distribute funds
UK Sport: elite coaches example
athletes have access to top coaches
UK Sport: national lottery funding example
athletes on the podium
UK Sport: national institutes example
provides sports science support at English Institute of Sport
UK Sport: international top level competitors example
London 2012 Olympics
UK Sport: talent identification example
Girls4Gold/ may not have any experience in sport selected for
UK Sport: funding example
Athlete Performance Award
Role of National Institute in developing sporting excellence/ high performance sport
- World Class: facilities
- T: talent identification
- E: education/ research
- A: lifestyle advice
- M: medical support
- S: sports science support
National Institute: world class example
Uni of Bath skeleton and bobsleigh track
National Institute: talent identification
Girls4Gold
National Institute: education example
Research into enhancing performance, aerodynamic research
National Institute: medical support
Physiotherapy, planned rehab, injury treatment + prevention
National Institute: sports science support example
Nutrition, biomechanics, physiology + psychology
The role of schools in contributing to elite sporting success
- Compulsory PE lessons for all students
- Introduces a range of sports to students
- Helps students to develop fundamental, transferrable, motor skills
- Provides links with clubs in local areas
- Introduce young people to competition early
- Increase participation - widen base of performance pyramid
- A-Levels, GCSEs in PE prepare students for potential careers in sport
The role of clubs in contributing to elite sporting success
- Gives competitive experience
- Assists with talent identification/ scouting
- Provides specialist/ elite/ high quality coaching
- Provide equipment and facilities
- Offer financial concessions e.g. help with match fees/ free gym memberships
- May offer physiotherapy/ medical support
The role of universities in contributing to elite sporting success
- Provide sport scholarships/ bursaries
- Provide specialist/ world class facilities
- Provide high levels of competition
- Provides sport science/ medical support
- Allow students to train and compete whilst studying
- Host centres of sporting excellence/ sports institutes
Why do athletes drop out?
- Demand of programme
- Poor performance
- Injury
- Pressure from outside of sport
- Media pressure
- Family commitments
- Financial constraints
Strategies to address drop out/ failure rate
- Performance lifestyle programmes run by UK Sport attempts to help athletes cope with the pressures and demands of elite sport.
- Evaluate athlete to identify potential stressors or difficulties
- Advise on integration of sporting and personal life
- Teach strategies for dealing with media
- Arrange medical intervention e.g. physiotherapy
- Suggest training adaptations
- Give psychological support, teaching stress management techniques
