ABSTRACT
The aim of talent detection and identifi cation is to provide an “accurate prediction of those individuals who have the potential to compete at world-class levels” (Wolstencroft, 2002, p. 25). Talent is defi ned as “an aptitude or ability in one direction, above the normal average” (McCurdy, 2006 cited in Pluim, 2006, p. 6). Many coaches at some stage of their career will be involved in talent identifi cation, whether it is on a micro level (e.g. recommending that a junior player at a club has the talent to move up into the senior squad), or on a more focused level (e.g. the soccer scout travelling the country talent spotting young players to sign up for a club on professional terms).
