Talent Identification
or
Talent Development?
Objectives




Define Talent Identification and Talent
Development
List potential implications for Talent
programmes
Identify the issues surrounding Talent ID
Develop an argument for an against ID or
Development
The Argument
 Talent
Detection and Identification
or
Talent Development?
The Implications



Funding
Resource deployment
Coach / Practitioner education

Others?
Physical
Potential Predictors of Talent
NATURE
OR NURTURE?
Sociological
Physiological
Psychology & Personality
Detection and Identification
Genetics
Australian sports scientists have discovered
a specific gene linked to athletic
performance
ACTN-3
2 Types:

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
predisposed as sprinters
Excellence in endurance sports

Miah and Rich (2006)
Heritability coefficients



Adapted from Bouchard and Malina (1983)
and Maes et al (1993)
A coefficient of 1 indicates a total
dependence on genetic factors
0 indicates no genetic influence
Anthropometry
Height
0.85±0.07
Leg Strength
0.80±0.10
Height / Weight
0.53±0.19
Skinfolds
0.55±0.26
Ectomorphy
0.35±0.50
Mesomorphy
0.42
Endomorphy
0.50
VO2 Max
0.30-0.93
Slow-twitch muscle fibres
0.55-0.92
Anaerobic power
0.44-0.97
Muscle endurance
0.22-0.80
Physiology
Field & Performance tests
Sprinting
0.45-0.91
Jumping
0.33-0.86
Flexibility
0.69-0.91
Balance
0.24-0.86
Static Strength
0.30-0.97
Physiological Testing



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
Cost
Is mass screening possible?
Validity?
Reliability?
Snap shot



Needs to be longitudinal / progressive
Would this defy the purpose of talent ID?
Maturation?
Breakdown of birth dates for England World Cup
campaign players between 1986 and 1998
(Richardson, 1998).
% of players
250
200
World Cup Year
150
1998
1994
1990
1986
100
50
0
Sept-Dec
Jan-April
May-Aug
Time of year born
Conclusions & Implications?
Trials



A method of identifying talent
 Advantages
Low costs
Low administration






Disadvantages
Psychological tension
Familiarity
Overplay
Isolation
Environment
Summary: Talent Detection &
Identification





Compile a summary
One paragraph
List the positives associated with talent
Detection and Identification programmes
Identify the potential issues
Discuss in pairs
Talent Development: The Case

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
Robin Friday – Footballer
A true story
Should have played for England
Played for Reading 135 times (53 goals)
Played for Cardiff 25 times (7 goals)
Quit the game
Died aged 38 following years of alcohol
and drug abuse
Troubled, strong-minded & reckless
Talent Development


Sociological factors
Family, Friends, Coaches, School teachers all
have the potential to influence talent
development
Psychological characteristics

No study in sport has shown psychological
characteristics to be stable through
development period (adolescence to
adulthood)


Morris (2000)
Use of psychological skills discriminates
medal and non-medal winners

Gould et al (1992)
The Role of Nature and Nurture in Elite ‘Player’
Development
(adapted from Bloom, 1976)
Initial Performance
Process
Eventual Performance
• Motor / Technical
• Perceptual / Cognitive
• Psychological
• Physical
• Physiological
NATURE
• Practice
• Coaching / Instruction
• Training & Preparation
• Familial influences
• Resources
NURTURE
Conclusion


Nature (detection /
identification) and
Nurture
(Development) both
contribute to Talent
production
Where should the
focus of Talent
programmes lie?
Balancing Act?
Development
Detection /
Identification
Write your own conclusion:
Consider both viewpoints

Identification

1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Development
Reading
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
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Abbott, A. and Collins, D. (2004). Eliminating the
dichotomy between theory and practice in talent
identification: considering the role of psychology.
Journal of sports sciences, 22, 395-408.
Miah, A. & Rich, E. (2006). Genetic tests for ability?:
talent identification and the value of an open future.
Sport, Education and Society, 11,3,pp259 -273.
Reilly, T., Bangsbo, J. & Franks, A. (2000).
Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite
soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 669-683.