ABSTRACT
Competitive youth sports are commonplace in most countries and are generally accepted as playing a positive role in the development of the youth as both an athlete and a person. This has led to the development of intricate competition structures, allowing a youth athlete to participate in sport at a range of levels and, via which, a select few athletes are able to develop through to the highest levels of sport. Traditionally, the development of performance has taken a sport-specific route, with the vast majority of focus being on the development of the technical and tactical skills associated with particular sports. However, the physical preparation of young athletes for sports performance has not met with such universal agreement, and much debate still exists regarding appropriate training interventions with the youth population. The cost of this is that, in many instances, key physical capacities required for optimal performance are not addressed, thus leaving the athlete unable to fully maximise their potential, while also placing them at greater risk of injury. What is needed is a long-term athlete development structure in which all aspects of performance are appropriately addressed.
