08-05-2014, 10:33 PM
As always a thoughtful comment from Alex and more of a bold under-line rant from Phil! O:-)
When I attended these events there were quite a number of No 1 players who were only there because it was subsidized: they were not strong players and showed little motivation for the game. For some it would be their first and last event of the year. It always seemed wrong when stronger, more committed players had to fork out considerable amounts to attend.
I am not sure you can judge potential. You can certainly test theoretical knowledge and I would try and include some test of theoretical knowledge. I think this would also have the advantage of being a good indicator of a players work ethic and in that sense a predictor of those players most likely to succeed.
I would note that swimming now encourages trainers and parents to engender a constructive mindset towards training and competing, and it has been added as a selection criterion for the National squads.
When I attended these events there were quite a number of No 1 players who were only there because it was subsidized: they were not strong players and showed little motivation for the game. For some it would be their first and last event of the year. It always seemed wrong when stronger, more committed players had to fork out considerable amounts to attend.
Quote:'m also concerned about how you judge potential. I have known an 8 year old who was better than a 10 year old but the main reason for this was that the 8 year old had been playing for 4 years and the 10 year old for less than a year but both were top of their age group. Potential implies continuation to reach the predicted level. How do we know who will be playing in 5 years time?
I am not sure you can judge potential. You can certainly test theoretical knowledge and I would try and include some test of theoretical knowledge. I think this would also have the advantage of being a good indicator of a players work ethic and in that sense a predictor of those players most likely to succeed.
I would note that swimming now encourages trainers and parents to engender a constructive mindset towards training and competing, and it has been added as a selection criterion for the National squads.