ABSTRACT
Identifying and developing talented athletes to their fullest potential is a central concern of coaches, sports scientists, and sports policymakers. However, there is currently limited practical and theoretical knowledge for those working in Paralympic sport. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to capture current research and practice in talent identification and development in Paralympic sport by harnessing international perspectives of systems and processes. It highlights some of the creative ways in which skill acquisition resources have had a big impact on Paralympic programs, and in doing so, provides ideas for how to optimise environments for both coach and athlete development across high-performance domains. The book provides some thought-provoking ideas and research in sport psychology, with practical recommendations in areas such as goal setting, mindfulness, and gratitude which could enhance performance, and support athlete wellbeing.
