Developing A Theoretically Grounded And Practically Orientated Model For Holistic Talent Development In Sport

Youth sport has become increasingly professionalised. As a result, youth athletes are involved in formalised talent development environments (TDEs) designed to facilitate their effective and efficient development towards the elite level. However, it is argued that athlete challenges relating to transition efficacy, developmental sacrifice, and health impacts are not comprehensively addressed in these environments. Consequently, athletes can be left with adverse outcomes, affecting them immediately and in the future in sport and life. Increasingly, research has sought to explore the positive and negative outcomes emerging from TDE involvement. In recognition of these outcomes, holistic talent development (HTD) approaches have been recommended, often associated with promoting personal and whole-person development. Despite this recommendation, there is currently no conceptualised and empirically explored model of HTD that captures this landscape. This state of play is particularly surprising considering the popularised use of the concept ‘holistic’, which has become mired in conceptual ambiguity. Adopting a pragmatic approach and using multi-methods, this thesis aimed to develop a model of HTD that was theoretically grounded and practically orientated, conceptualising outcome and environmental components. A working theoretical model was developed from current literature, which was subsequently applied and abductively developed throughout the thesis, incorporating data from athletes, parents and practitioners. Three empirical studies were undertaken. Study 1 examined perceptions of TDE effectiveness across a large multi-sport and country sample from the perspective of athletes (n = 571), parents (n = 759) and practitioners (n = 134). Study two explored practitioner (n = 23) understandings of HTD across six environments, using Appreciative Inquiry interviews. Study 3 explored HTD practice in one cricket TDE through an ethnographic approach with observations and interviews/focus groups with athletes (n = 17), parents (n = 9) and practitioners (n = 6). Corresponding with the data, positive athlete outcomes were framed within three domains (Athletic Performance; Health and Wellbeing; Life Readiness) and six sub-domains (Performance Skills and Characteristics; Health for Development; General Health; Varied Life Identity; Instrumental Life Skills; Prosocial Character). A wide range of TDE features were found to influence HTD athlete outcomes, and these were categorised into four theme-families (Community; Lifelong Outlook; Practitioner-Athlete Relationship; Personal Development). Connections between the outcome and environmental components of the model were explored. HTD outcomes were found to be sensitively influenced by numerous interactive environmental features. Through a rigorous process of conceptual exploration, development, and refinement, this thesis presents a promising model of HTD. This model is grounded in theory, stakeholder-informed and orientated towards practical utility, building upon previous research and providing fresh insight. Those in research and practice may reflexively consider the working model to inform their critical explorations of effective TDEs from a HTD perspective (e.g., programme building and evaluations).<p></p>