Premature Professionalisation or Early Engagement? Examining Practise in Football Player Pathways
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5284806 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Liam Sweeney (0000-0002-3443-2763, Dublin City University, corresponding author), Dan Horan (0000-0002-8806-2868), Áine Macnamara (0000-0002-8110-6784, Dublin City University) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Pages | 660167-660167 |
| Publication date | 2021-06-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fspor.2021.660167 |
| PMID | 34164620 |
| OpenAlex | W3169199258 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 11 |
| References cited | 83 |
There is a growing debate, both in the academic and sporting worlds, about the most appropriate pathway for high potential young players in sport. In this regard, there has been a considerable focus on the age of selection into structured talent development pathways and the nature of the experience once players have been recruited. Given the economic and reputational currency associated with developing professional footballers in particular, it is unsurprising that professional football clubs continue to invest significant financial resources into their academy structures. Understandably, this recruitment policy has attracted substantial attention within the media and research community, with ethical concerns arising surrounding the impact early selection may have on the welfare and the experiences of the young players within the pathway. The aim of this perspective article was to critically consider the research underpinning the early engagement practises of football clubs and the extent to which, and how, the pathway can provide players with the most appropriate starting point for their development. This evidence points to the need to look beyond the prevalent 'early specialisation vs. diversification' debate in youth sport towards a consideration of an early engagement perspective that reflects the biopsychosocial influences on talent development and the socio-political environment that influences decisions. We provide practical recommendations focused on the quality of the early engagement experience
Biopsychosocial model · Business · Diversification (marketing strategy · Football · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Underpinning · Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance · Sports injuries and prevention · Sports Performance and Training · Marketing
The fine line between deliberate play and deliberate practice within talent development in grassroots football
Transitions, trajectories, terminations
Understanding significant experiences of adolescent athletes’ participation in competitive sports life
Class matters—Children's perceptions of sports coaching
Physical and perceptual demands of youth international team match-play in traditional and aged-matched future teams for biologically late maturing soccer players
Case Report
The school of hard knocks
Riding the wave
Talent drain or talent exchange? International recruitment strategies and players characteristics in Italian male youth football
What makes a Grand Slam champion? Early engagement, late specialization and timely transition from having fun to dedication
The Irish Football Player Pathway
Talent identification and development in soccer
Bio-banding in Sport
The Influence of the Family in the Development of Talent in Sport
International Olympic Committee consensus statement on youth athletic development
A new view
The youth football journey
“I Didn't Make It, but…”
“In my day…”- Parents’ Views on Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Viewing in Relation to Their Own Childhood
What Defines Early Specialization
Cycling for Transportation in Sao Paulo City
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Stakeholders’ understanding and perceptions of bio-banding in junior-elite football training
Evaluation of the support of young athletes in the elite sports system
| Unique citing works | 11 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,75 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2026 (5) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 11 |