Pathways to the Podium Research Project

An investigation of the development of sport expertise

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In recent times, a considerable amount of attention has been directed towards identifying the secret formula for achieving success in a variety of domains. While researchers have been investigating the science of success for many years, discussion surrounding the pre-requisites for expert performance have been popularised by books such as “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle, and “Talent is Overrated” by Geoff Colvin. In addition, the explosion of social networking and blogging have revolutionised the way in which we as scientists, coaches, parents, and learners communicate our thoughts and interact with each other, increasing the ease and immediacy of obtaining information regarding expertise development. Furthermore, in the sporting domain we are seeing an increasing number of highly structured talent identification and athlete development programs devoting significant resources towards fast-tracking learning and maximising the possibilities of success. Consequently, the development of expertise has become a hot topic, with many people now interested in how we can realise our potential as efficiently as possible.


The Pathways to the Podium Research Project was designed to add to this discussion by furthering our knowledge regarding the factors that appear to be associated with the development of sport expertise. In particular, the Pathways to the Podium Research Project is interested in how patterns of participation in sport throughout childhood and adolescence differ between international level athletes and athletes competing at lower representative levels. Specific areas of investigation include patterns of participation in a variety of practice and competition activities for the athlete’s main sport, patterns of involvement in other organised sports and playful sporting games, and the time course of attainment of significant sporting milestones. The Project will also investigate a number of contextual factors that may be associated with sport expertise development such as birth order and familial involvement in sport and physical activity.


It is expected that the results and recommendations arising from the Pathways to the Podium Research Project will be of interest to athletes, coaches, parents, sport scientists, and sport administrators, who can utilise the recommendations to enhance the sport learning environment, maximise the potential for athletic success, and guide sport policy and programs.

The Pathways to the Podium Research Project

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