2012 Talent Search Hit By Age Bias

New research has claimed that the much vaunted bid to increase participation
levels in sport amongst children ahead of the 2012 Olympics is failing due to a
coaching bias towards older and bigger kids.

The study, commissioned by think-tank Sportnation – an organisation headed by
former athlete Steve Cram – and conducted by Loughborough University, estimates
up to 30,000 talented youngsters have missed out due to the emphasis towards
children of an older age.

‘We need a sea change in perceptions of age in sport,’ said Cram. ‘There is
an incredible bias in sport towards those born earlier in the school year, it is
skewed quite remarkably. With 2012 arriving we need to look for talent in
greater depth than ever before.

‘The first step is for coaches and teachers to be aware that we as a nation
are not tapping into that talent pool. The next step is to do something about
it.’

Football, athletics, tennis and swimming are among the primary sports missing
out according to the survey.

Sportnation has made three recommendations, including calling for sports
governing bodies to change their event dates away from the school year.

They also want certain sports to change formats to include weight bands and
handicaps and build teams around talent, skill and potential and not just height
and strength.

The final recommendation is that governing bodies should provide schools and
clubs with guidance to raise awareness so teachers and coaches can make more
balanced selection decisions.