"Talent development is like a flock of hungry seagulls" - a conversation with Andy Kirkland

In this episode of The Talent Equation, I reconnect with Andy Kirkland from the University of Stirling to explore how our sporting systems both help and hinder talent development. Andy shares insights from his chapter in "Reimagining Talent Development in Sport" and introduces the concept of 'salutogenesis' - focusing on what creates health and well being rather than what causes harm.

Three key takeaways:

1. Our current talent development systems often prioritise preventing harm rather than creating healthy environments where people can thrive and grow.
2. Coaches bear huge responsibility for guiding young people through developmental journeys but are frequently under-resourced and lack essential knowledge about human development.
3. We need to shift from resource-heavy "barrier" approaches to more ecological systems that empower individuals to navigate challenges while providing appropriate support.

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