Abstract:
The development of skilled athletes and players is an important step towards creating a winning
sporting nation. Even though there are a variety of approaches that can be used to develop the sport
skills of young athletes, the overall consensus is that this process takes time. This study explores
the sport development approach currently used in sport development programmes in the previously
disadvantaged communitiesa of Atteridgeville, Eersterust and Mamelodi in Tshwane, South Africa,
by distinguishing between two phases in sport development, namely talent identification and skills
development. The study utilised a qualitative research approach with key informant sampling
comprised of sport administrators and coaches involved in sport development. Data were collected
by means of document analysis and semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and coded
using Atlas.ti 8 software. It was concluded that the current sport development initiatives available
to athletes aged between 7 and 18 years, residing in previously disadvantaged communities in
Tshwane portray characteristics of talent identification rather than a skills development approach.
Recommendations include provision of additional support to non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) active in providing young athletes the opportunity to develop both sport and life skills in
Sport for Development (SfD) initiatives.
