TALENT IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN MALE RUGBY LEAGUE by David Rotheram A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance at the University of Central Lancashire March 2020 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION STUDENT DECLARATION FORM Type of Award Professional Doctorate School Sport and Wellbeing 1. Concurrent registration for two or more academic awards *I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other academic or professional institution. 2. Material submitted for another award *I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission for an academic award and is solely my own work. 3. Use of a Proof-reader *No proof-reading service was used in the compilation of this thesis. Signature of Candidate Print name: David Rotheram i ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the effectiveness of the Talent and Performance Pathway in professional (male) English Rugby League, in order to meet the aims of both the Rugby Football League (RFL), the National Governing Body (NGB) of the sport in the UK, and Super League (Europe), the premier club competition in Europe. Specifically, the thesis has focused upon how optimum environments can be created in order to propel England to consistent World Cup wins and ensure that the Super League is supplied with high quality players providing ‘world class’ spectator and broadcast entertainment that drives increased commercial revenues. This work has been viewed through the complex social, financial and political backdrop in which the sport operates. The origins of the sport of Rugby League and the communities that it serves, through an engrained culture are initially investigated. These factors are shown to have a direct impact upon the Talent and Performance pathway since discrepancies were found between what current talent identification and development (TID) literature says and what is happening in practice. These discrepancies have been investigated using a mixed methods approach where a comparison with our major international competitor in Australia was conducted. Findings dispelled the myth that all England had to do was copy what the Australians did due to the social milieu in which the sport exists in both countries. Qualitative approaches were used to investigate challenges relating to the competition structure within the talent and performance pathway. Findings revealed that there is too much emphasis being placed upon short term results as opposed to long term development at the base of the pathway (i.e. community RL and first selective environments). In addition, an inappropriate development environment and competition offer was found to exist for athletes transitioning between age-group and elite performance environments resulting in players being ii ill-equipped to maximise their potential. Using the empirical evidence gathered, an alternative competition offer has been proposed. In an attempt to create better environments, behaviour change literature was explored and discrepancies between behaviours and desired outcomes from TID literature are discussed. To conclude, further areas of investigation arising from the thesis are suggested namely talent inclusion and people development. iii Table of Contents Author’s Declaration............................................................................................................ i Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures..................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... x Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. xi Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... xii Publications Arisen from the Thesis ................................................................................ xiv Chapter 1 Introduction and Outline of this Thesis ............................................................ 1 1.1 Context of the work................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 My position and interests ................................................................................. 1 1.1.2 A guide to the key ‘players’ ............................................................................. 2 1.2 My approach to this topic ........................................................................................ 5 1.3 Research Objectives ................................................................................................ 7 1.4 Guiding the reader through the thesis ...................................................................... 8 Chapter 2 General Considerations and Specific Design of Methodology – How did I want to do It? .................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 10 2.2 What information did I need? ................................................................................ 10 2.3 Research methods for consideration ...................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Qualitative Methods ....................................................................................... 11 2.3.2 Quantitative research methods........................................................................ 11 2.3.3 Mixed Methods research ................................................................................ 12 2.3.4 Determining the methods ............................................................................... 12 2.3.5 Collecting Data .............................................................................................. 12 2.3.5.1 Single versus multiple methodologies ..................................................... 15 2.4 Summary .............................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 3 The Context of RL in the UK – exploring our challenges .............................. 17 3.1 The Sporting Landscape of TID in RL .................................................................. 17 3.1.1 Birthplace Effect and Social Environment ...................................................... 17 3.1.2 Governmental influence – Funding and the wider national sporting agenda for talent and participation ................................................................................................ 19 3.1.3 Influence of Academic Research and Higher Education Institutions ............... 23 3.1.4 Influence of Key Internal Sporting Stakeholders ............................................ 29 3.1.5 The Academy System in Rugby League ......................................................... 32 3.2 ‘Prequel’ influences on TID .................................................................................. 34 3.3 The Role of Competition ....................................................................................... 38 iv 3.4 Summary .............................................................................................................. 39 Chapter 4 Myths, Mores and Half-truths of Talent Identification and Development Systems .............................................................................................................................. 40 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 40 4.2 Myths of Talent Identification and Development ................................................... 41 4.2.1 Early Specialisation ....................................................................................... 42 4.2.2 10,000 hours rule ........................................................................................... 43 4.2.3 Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) ..................................................... 43 4.3 Mores of TID ........................................................................................................ 46 4.3.1 Long term aims and methods ......................................................................... 52 4.3.2 Wide ranging coherent messages and support................................................. 52 4.3.3 Emphasis upon appropriate development and not early success ...................... 53 4.3.4 Individualised and on-going development. ..................................................... 54 4.4 Half Truths............................................................................................................ 55 4.4.1 Function Movement Screen (FMS) ................................................................ 55 4.4.2 Over Training Syndrome ................................................................................ 57 4.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 5 Looking for Role Models – The Epidemilogy of Success