Routes To Sporting Excellence Flashcards
(29 cards)
Define talent identification in sport.
The process of recognising individuals with the potential to succeed in sport based on physical psychological and skill based attributes.
What is meant by elite performance in sport?
Competing at the highest levels nationally and internationally such as the Olympics world championships or professional Leagues.
Define sporting excellence.
The achievement of hyper performance through structured training competition and support overtime.
What is the development pathway?
A structured progression of training and competition from grassroot to elite level, including identification, development and performance stages.
Outline the typical stages of the UK talent development pathway.
Talent identification -> talent confirmation -> development -> performance -> podium
What is the purpose of the talent confirmation stage?
To assess if identified athlete to have the physical and psychological attributes to progress further.
Give an example of a talent identification program in the UK.
UK sports #DiscoverYourGold campaign aimed to uncover athletes with Olympic potential.
How does UK sport use talent transfer?
Moving athletes from one sport to another where their physical/mental profile is better suited.
How do schools contribute to sporting excellence?
Provide early exposure to sport, PE Curriculum, school teams, competition opportunities and pathways to clubs.
Why are school competitions important talent development?
Identify potential develop competitive experience and foster discipline and teamwork.
What role do you local sports clubs play in athlete development?
Offer specialist coaching, regular training, competitive fixtures, and a stepping stone to higher performance centres.
How do clubs link with national governing bodies (NGBs)?
Talent pathways often run through club structures, with NGBs identifying athletes from club competitions.
How do UK universities support elite athletes?
Provide sports scholarships, elite coaching, top-class facilities, and academic flexibility for dual-career athletes.
Give an example of a university offering elite athlete support.
Loughborough University — known for advanced facilities, sports science, and athlete support services.
What is the role of UK Sport in developing elite sport?
UK Sport funds and manages the World Class Performance Pathway, invests National Lottery money, and targets medal success at international events.
What are the three tiers of the World Class Performance Pathway?
Podium – athletes likely to medal in the next Olympics
Podium Potential – athletes with long-term medal prospects
Talent – early-stage athletes identified for elite development
What are National Institutes of Sport (e.g. EIS)?
Centres like the English Institute of Sport (EIS) that provide performance services like biomechanics, nutrition, psychology, and physiotherapy.
How do National Institutes support NGBs?
By offering high-performance services, performance analysis, and staff to NGBs and athletes in Olympic/Paralympic sports.
What are common reasons for drop-out in elite sport?
Injury, burnout, academic pressures, mental health issues, lack of support, or failure to progress.
List strategies used to reduce drop-out from elite programmes
- Dual-career pathways (e.g. sport + education)
- Psychological support
- Load management and injury prevention
- Clear progression routes
- Mentoring and role models
How can psychological support reduce dropout risk?
Helps manage pressure, maintain motivation and cope with setbacks through counselling and performance psychology.
Explain the role of dual-career programmes in athlete retention.
Allow athletes to balance sport with education or employment, reducing stress and providing future security.
Give an example of a dual-career support institution.
The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) supports young athletes in combining education with sport.
Why might an athlete drop out of a performance pathways despite early success?
Psychological burnout, lack of progression, injury, or academic conflicts.
