Strategic Outcomes Announced for Talent Pathway

One month into my new role, having had the chance to do a review of the Talent Programmes, I thought it would be useful to update and clarify the work priorities for the next six months.  In addition it is a good opportunity to provide answers to some questions that have consistently arisen in my first month in post. 

The agreed strategic outcome for the Talent Prorgammes, which has been agreed with Sport England, is to achieve repeatable World medal success at Junior level by 2020.  A key part of this is to provide the right international opportunities, at the right time, for the athletes. 

With this in mind, as highlighted in the notes that accompanied the junior selection document, we envisage several changes to the way the current International opportunities are accessed in the long term to ensure that we maximise these opportuntites to deliver our overall strategic goal.

There are three operational priorities for the Talent Programmes as we head into the final year of the funding cycle:-

1. Review and implementation of the structure within TIC/Talent:

• A need to add value to talent programme athletes – currently the differences between programmes cannot be defined so there is no desire to move up the pathway as no real time benefit can be seen,
• Ensure good coach provision across the whole pathway covering all weapons,
• Camp coverage and regional opportunities need to be exploited to greater effect,
• Clear definition of roles and responsibilities so there is clarity on who is leading in which area, to help direct people to the source of the answers;

2. Detailed athlete profiles to be developed and agreed with Sport England:

• Build on the Talent athlete profiles currently being used so the profile filters and spans the pathway from WCP podium to community club,
• Work alongside the Coaching Development Manager to ensure that we maximise the opportunity to influence the Coach education programme, using the profiles to help up skill the coaching network,
• Clarity on the level of expectation on fencers, commitment, attitude and resilience to show true World Class professionalism;

3. Review and implement individual athlete plans:

• Have a clear plan of which competitions are priority and why,
• Importance of referees – ensure adequate provision to meet all international opportunities.  Current reliance on International ‘Supply’ Referees,
• Clear travel and selection policies, showing fencers which performances unlock which benefits,
• Work closely with our travel partner to create a service that is upfront and clearly costed.

Finally, we want to create an environment that will challenge and educate our talented fencers to ensure that they can become the best in the world, rewarding those who are following the British Fencing values of Honesty, Respect and Excellence.

For further information please contact James Taylor, Talent Pathway Manager.

[email protected]

+44 (0) 7538 239383