Development of Elite Performers in Sport

• What is Talent Identification 


  The multi-disciplinary screening of athletes in order to identify those with potential for world class success
• What is an athlete mentor

  An individual who helps guide another persons' development
• What qualities and characteristics does an elite athlete need to possess

  Committed, slef-disciplined, determined, highly motivated, willing to sacrifice, high pain tolerance, self-confidence, naturally talented and high level of fitness
• What social cultural factors are necessary are needed in an elite athlete


  High socio-economic status, equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory practise, educational provision, strucutred level of competition, high levels of media coverage and role models to aspire to
• Who provides sport and progression in the UK

  UK Sport, National Institutes of Sport, NGB's
• What does UK Sport do

  Develop high performance sport in the UK, impliment various sporting stratergies to increase sporting excellence in the UK. Invest and distribute National Lottery funding for elite performers development to maximise performance at the Olympics
• How does UK Sport work

  Provide funding to NGB's and provide funding directly to athletes. Thye also fund National Institutes of Sport
• What is the National Institute of Sport

  Help support and develop elite athletes. Have 'World class performance Centres' e.g. Lilleshall Gymnastic Centre. They also provide sporting services to develop athletes
• What services do National Institutes of Sport provide

  Sport science (training, coaches), Medical (physio's), Performance lifestyle support (budgeting, media, sponsorship and career development)
• How does National Institutes of Sport e.g. EIS identify talent

  Performance Solutions team - put talent into sports and facilitate the transition between juniour and elite level. Performance Pathways. The UK has Talent Team which identify potential talent = Podium potential level and Talent ID programmes e.g. 'Discover your Giant'
• What do NGB's do in sport

  Develop talent and increase participation through equality and opportunity for all. Positive role models, accessible facilities, meet government policies on sport, policies for under-represented groups, employement of fport-specific Sport Development Officers and invest resources in inner city areas
• Why are Talent Identification Programmes good


  Potential performers can be screened, performers directed into sports that suit their talents best, efficient use of funding and chances of medals increasing
• Why are Talent Identification Programmes not useful

  Miss late developers, require high levels of funding, large numbers of people need to be tested for it to be effective, no gurantees for success and high-profile sports may only attract performers
• What makes a Talent Identification programme successful


  Record keeping, appropriate tests and built on good practise, well-strucutred competitive programmes, specialist training facilities, funding, talent spotting, support services, Talent ID organisations work together and equality
• What is podium potential

  A max of 8 years away from a medal at an Olympic or Paralympics Games
• What is the Gold Event Series


  Where the UK attempts to successfully bid to host and stage major sporting events. Aims to bring 100 targeted major international sporting events to the UK. E.g. London 2012 Olympic Games
• What are the aims for staging major sporting events in the UK

  Supporting high performance athletes, creating opportunities to engage in sport and causing positive economic and social impacts on the UK