Matthew J. Reeves

The pursuit of lifelong participation: the role of professional football clubs in the delivery of physical education and school sport in England

Physical Education and School Sport (PESS) offers a key vehicle to support the development of lifelong participation in children and young people. At a time of government cuts and the emergence of external providers, including professional football clubs, it is pertinent to explore current practice. This research set out to explore the delivery, and partnerships involved within the School Sports Premium, particularly the relationship between the community arms and registered charities of professional football clubs and schools to deliver PESS. Semi-structured interviews with community managers from football community programmes and head teachers revealed two key themes; partnership working and the role of the community coach. Findings suggest the need to develop the scope of the partnership and to build methods of evaluation to understand the impact of the coaches’ practice in schools. Further evaluation of the partnerships between professional football clubs and schools would bring an increased understanding of the effectiveness and impact of the partnerships, in order to improve practice and the subsequent effectiveness of PESS, in terms of its contribution towards lifelong participation for children and young people.

The effects of physical activity on children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a review

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder among children. Despite the noted positive aspects of the disorder, it is often associated with a range of negative outcomes for that are detrimental to childrens education and wider well-being. This comprehensive scoping review examined empirical literature from seven academic journal databases and specialist journals, published over 10 years, in relation to the benefits of sport/physical activity upon the effects of ADHD. The databases and time frame were chosen to give the ‘ideal [scenario] … that could answer the review question’, within the limitations of journal database access and resource available; searches of grey literature were also conducted. Ten articles were included in the final review. Due to the variation of methodological approach, sample size, and, most importantly, the form of physical activity measured, it is difficult to identify the ‘best’ form of physical activity to mediate symptoms of ADHD. However, it can be plausibly claimed that physical activity interventions may provide an alternative, non-pharmaceutical approach to management of ADHD in children.

The Influence of Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Motives among UK-Based University Students.

Recent evidence suggests that the majority of the adult population fails to achieve the recommended target of 30-minutes moderate intensity exercise, days a week. This includes university students who often have the time to engage in physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine exercise motives for a UK-based student population. The motives of 736 participants (± 20.45 years of age, SD=3.50) regarding participation or non-participation in free-time exercise, sport and physical activity were measured using the Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 (EMI-2). Significant main effects were reported for age (P = 0.1) and gender (P = 0.1). Students over 23 years of age reported higher levels of motivation than the other age groups (i.e. for stress, revitalisation and avoidance of ill health). The results of this study indicate that the motivation of UK university students to engage in physical activity or exercise demonstrates gender and age differences. These findings should enable health professionals and health educators in university environments to design preventative programmes aimed at reducing multiple risk behaviours among university populations. These could include gender-specific exercise programmes underpinned by appearance motives for female university populations.

Perceptions of Performance Analysis in Elite Youth Football

This study examined perceptions of performance analysis (PA) within elite youth football. More specifically, this study set out to investigate and examine perceptions of PA, and how it is perceived to impact upon players performances individually and collectively. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with academy players, full time academy coaches, and performance analysts, associated with an English Premier League Academy team. The findings from this study suggest that within elite youth football, three areas are key considerations when thinking about video-based performance analysis: a) impact of video-based PA upon team and individual performance, b) video-based PA as a tool for reflection, and c) psychological implications associated with video-based PA.

Stakeholder’s understanding and perceptions of bio-banding in junior-elite football training

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the understanding and perceptions of professional football academy staff, youth players and parents/carers in the use of ‘bio-banding’ during a seven week, pre-season training period. Data included a series of one-to-one semi-structured interviews and semi-structured focus groups with the three participant groups. Data were collected at three distinct times: (1) pre-bio-banded training; (2) during-bio-banded training; and (3) post-bio-banded training. Data were analyzed qualitatively using a constant comparative approach. Results suggested that there are six key themes associated with bio-banding pre-season training: (1) interpretation of bio-banding; (2) perceived disadvantages; (3) perceived advantages; (4) changes to coaching planning and practice; (5) educating stakeholders; and (6) logistical issues. This study concludes by proposing applied practitioners consider the findings as a framework to guide operationalizing bio-banding in their environment.

Junior-elite football: time to re-position talent identification?

Abstract There remains limited understanding of the processes and factors which contribute to young footballers being identified as talented. Talent identification is imperative for the development of future elite performers, though most studies conflate talent identification and talent development. Moreover, within the literature there is a lack of operational or procedural distinction for talent identification, causing issues for those researching and working within applied contexts. This paper sought to clarify issues related to talent identification in junior-elite football, offering a review of the extant literature and proposing future directions for applied research. There are unanswered questions associated with how scouts, recruitment staff, and coaches decide what constitutes talent and the importance placed on particular attributes during that process. We suggest that further research into the ascribed processes, observations and perceptions of those involved in talent identification is needed to provide more sound understanding of the talent identification process in football.

Talent identification and talent development in junior-elite football in the UK: an introduction

The idea, shape, and size of this special issue were first conceived approximately 24 months ago, following numerous discussions with academic colleagues and practitioners working in both grassroots and professional football. Specially, these discussions centred on the current state of talent identification (TI) and talent development (TD) systems in junior-elite football. We are, therefore, delighted to present a collection of original, empirical studies pertinent to the perennial issues associated with TI and TD in junior-elite football. This issue offers an insight into the often messy and conflicting nature of TI and TD. By doing so, we believe this special issue will be of interest to sport practitioners and scholars working in football-related talent research. Somewhat unusually, we have opted to offer two forewords to this special issue, which offer a combination of applied considerations and theoretical positioning from two of the foremost authorities: Nick Levett, Talent ID manager at the Football Association (FA); and Professor Richard Bailey, senior researcher and writer in residence at the International Council of Sport Science & Physical Education (ICSSPE), Berlin. Both Nick and Richard have kindly reflected on their own positions working, researching and writing about talent. The editorial team would like to thank Nick and Richard for their input and the time they have given to support this endeavour. There have been a number of developments in the world of football over the last two decades regarding talent identification, development and management. For example, changes in European law (i.e. the Bosman ruling), changes in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) governing rules (i.e. home-grown player numbers) and a whole host of other changes to national-level rules. In England, there have been numerous changes since the inception of the Premier League in 1992. Perhaps the two most significant developments to junior-elite football, in the United Kingdom (UK), included; (1) the inception of an academy system, instigated through the FAs Charter for Quality;1 and (2) the advent of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).2 These changes have resulted in far-reaching implications, ranging from capital developments to enhancements in formal coach education.3 Whilst the Charter for Quality established academies, the EPPP is the current guiding framework for academies. Whilst the EPPP considers a wide range of issues from the elite environment to education, there are areas that are still, somewhat, lacking clarity and detail. For example, the talent identification and recruitment section suggests that there is “a case for developing nationally coordinated research to assist all clubs in their recruitment strategies”.4 This statement is followed by a list of seven proposed areas of research: (1) physiological parameters; (2) relative age effect; (3) psychological profiling techniques; (4) measuring players’ motivation; (5) measurement of decision-making potential; (6) technical abilities and (7) addressing failure rates.

A Scoping Review of the Potential Sociological Predictors of Talent in Junior-elite Football: 2000-2016

Abstract The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the potential sociological predictors for identifying talent in junior-elite football. Four academic databases were searched using a systematic search strategy, and nine eligibility criteria were applied to ensure only relevant studies were included. A total of 1107 potential studies were returned for the review. However, 1083 did not meet the eligibility criteria, and a further 12 articles were excluded after further screening. Two follow-up searches yielded one additional article for inclusion. In total, 13 articles were included in the final scoping review. These studies aligned to four potential sociological predictors of talent in football: (1) hours in practice; (2) coach–child interaction; (3) parental support; and (4) education. Each potential predictor is examined in detail with key findings summarized before impact for practice, and future research direction is proposed.

The nature and function of talent identification in junior-elite football in English category one academies

Abstract The focus of this study was to examine the nature and function of talent identification in category one football academies in the UK. Data were collected from three participant groups: heads of recruitment (n = 12), recruitment staff (n = 18) and scouts (n = 7). Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, conducted either face-to-face or via Skype®. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) league structures in junior grassroots football; (2) reflective practice; (3) looking at the whole player; and (4) luck. The paper concludes by suggesting that there are issues that need to be considered by the football association, county football associations and clubs. Those issues include the organization of leagues in junior football, the education of scouts and recruitment staff around reflective practice and understanding how to identify psycho-social attributes whilst identifying talent.

Developing individuals whilst managing teams: perspectives of under 21 coaches within English Premier League football

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore under 21 Development coaches’ thoughts, perspectives, and approaches within this phase of development at English Premier League (EPL) football clubs. Data were collected via one-to-one semi-structured interviews with six under 21 development coaches from six different EPL clubs. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings suggested that under 21 development coaches were situated, culturally and sometimes physically, in-between the academy and first team environments, trapped between two distinct cultures. Under 21 coaches also had contrasting views and approaches with regards to the development of under 21 players and the importance of winning at this stage of development. Participants appeared to favour creating environments that can replicate the first team environment to prepare under 21 players for the transition. The study concludes by proposing more support for under 21 development coaches is required from key stakeholders, regarding clarity of the role and players development.