2) 6.3 routes to sporting excellence in the UK

• UK sport - organisation whose aim is the development of the country's sportmen and women (athletes). It is funded jointly by the government and national lottery
• uk sport develops athletes by:

  • identifying potential talent
  • supporting an athletes lifestyle
  • supports an athletes coaching
  • supporting research, sports science/medicine, via the English Institute of sport
  • providing a world class programme or pathway to success
• world class programme operates at two levels

  • podium
  • podium potential
• podium - supporting athletes with realistic medal-winning capabilities at the next olympic/paralympics - a max of 4 years away from podium
• podium potential - supporting athletes whose performance suggests that they have realistic medal winning capabilities at the subsequent olympic/paralympic games - maximum of 8 years away from the podium

  e.g tom daley
• identifying sports talent - performance pathway

  1. physical and skill based tests e.g sprints, jumps, strength and aerobic fitness tests
  2. medical screening and psychological assessments
  3. selected athletes train over 6-12 months so progress is recorded
  4. pathway health check analyses the progress and fitness levels through athlete profiling and junior senior transitioning to measure the effectiveness of the performance pathway
• schools

  • compulsory pe lessons - fundamental skills which are transferable
  • extra curricula activities - competitive opportunities
• role of clubs

  • specialist coaching
  • specialist facilities
  • talent id allowing progression into elite level
  • medical support
• role of universities

  • scholarship schemes - funded through talent athlete scholarship scheme (TASS)
  • combine sport and study
  • top facilities
  • high level competition

  e.g loughborough uni
• athlete performance awards (APA)

  • gives money to elite athletes to help fund their living and personal sporting costs
  • athletes on podium level funding can currently receive up to £28,000 per year
• national institute's - work with coaches and sports administrators to help improve athletes performance
• role of national institutes

  • provides sports science and technological help to elite sportsmen and women
  • science and medical staff - physiotherapy, strength conditioning, performance nutrition and psychology
  • access to top facilities
  • technology equipment
• psychological preparation

  • mental training
  • focus/concentration
  • raise confidence
  • motivational techniques
  • positive imagery
  • goal setting
• physiological preparation

  • medical support (illness/injury)
  • access strength and conditioning coaches
  • train and take part in world class programmes
• reasons for drop outs of failure in elite sport

  • poor performance (get dropped)
  • injury
  • pressure outside sport/family commitments (females/work life balance)
  • pressure from the media
  • financial challenges (training and travelling costs)
• strategies to address drop outs or failure

  • work closelt with coaches/support network - minimise concerns/distractions
  • agents - financial advisors
  • gain sponsors
  • study while playing - supplement income e.g coaching
  • sport psychologist - decrease stress and anxiety
  • medical intervention - maintain physical capabilities
• world class programme case study

  • Sprinter Jonnie Peacock lost his right leg - he was a paralympic, world and european champion after less than 10 years in sport
  • talent identification day that his potential was spotted - invited to train with a group of talented youngsters
  • worked with well qualified coaches
• role of uk sport in developing elite sport

  1 - central funding for sporting national governing bodies, enabling them to operate a world class programme and ensuring that athletes have access to personal and training support to guarantee that they are prepared for world standard competition

  2- funding for athletes directly through athlete performance award (APA). Funded by the national lottery is paid directly to the athlete and contributes to their living and sporting costs
• athlete performance award case study

  British skeleton athletes

  • over last 10 years British skeleton has grown
  • world class programme has produced talent capable of representing GB
  • funding, high quality coaching, professional management and investment in technical innovation, a traditional non-winter sport nation can be successful
  • received £2.1 million from lottery funding
  • invested significant funding into talent identification and development programme in skeleton
  • funding given athletes living and personal training expense, and freedom to train full time and be totally committed
• english sport institutes

  • loughborough uni
  • bisham abbey
  • uni of bath
  • lee valley athletic centre
  • manchester
  • sheffield
• advanced apprenticeship in sport (AASE)

  • structured training and development route who have a real chance of excelling in sport
  • to be eligeble you myst be a professional, full time athlete or athlete identified by national governing bodies
  • last 12-24 months
  • directly measured athletes ability to plan, apply, evaluate their development in appropriate technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of sport
  • e.g Jack Wilshere