A model for talent identification and development for team sports in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of participation in aspecial squad-based talent development programme on selected physical variables andskills in adolescent girls. This investigation was initiated in the team sport of netballin order to determine if participation in a talent development programme of this kindcan be successful in the South African context. A second purpose was to consider theeffectiveness of the squad-based model in relation to the traditional school-basedmodel that is commonly implemented for talent development in South African netball.This study followed a static group design in a field setting. The squad-basedgroup (N=22) was composed of netball players ages 14 – 18 years old from twosenior high schools in a previously disadvantaged community. The school-basedgroup (N=45) was composed of netball players from the first and second teams atthree schools in the same region, that maintained a good standard of netball and hadqualified coaches.The subjects in the squad-based group participated in a special eight-monthtraining programme, which consisted out of 2 training sessions (90minutes) and 1match per week. The subjects in the school-based group participated in their normalpattern of netball practices and school matches.The results of this study lead to some general conclusions about the squadbasedtraining model:• Four components of skill development improved significantly• Significant changes were found in four of the physical variablesassociated with netball performance.• The squad-based model appeared to have been significantly moreeffective than the school-based model in the development of thephysical variables of flexibility, speed, throwing velocity and aerobicfitness.Based on the results the squad-based model is proposed as an approach totalent development that can make a significant contribution to the development ofskill. Continuous refinement of current models and even the creation of newmodels, may one day create systems where every child can reach toward his or herown sporting potential.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University