Talent Identification and Development: The Need for Coherence Between Research, System, and Process

Abstract

Research on the complex issues that underpin Talent Identification and Development (TID) appears to be divided into five key constructs: sport specialization and selection, practice, athlete development, junior and adult success, and the role of stakeholders in the sport system. Analysis of each construct indicates that differences exist between research theory and reality in terms of outcomes for practice in athlete development, although the reasons for this are unclear. These differences may, however, indicate reasons for the lack of adult success in young athletes identified as ‘talented.’ Further, analysis of the stakeholders construct also indicates both a lack of coherence in the understanding of TID systems and processes between key stakeholders in the TID process and a lack of research into the importance of such coherence in developing young athletes.