The Sports Development Pyramid

The Sports Development Pyramid

The Sports Development Pyramid is a model which represents the stages of sport performance and participation. It’s structured into four levels:

  • Foundation
  • Participation
  • Performance
  • Elite

Foundation Level

  • This level represents the beginning stage of sports development.
  • It involves activities that promote basic physical literacy and fundamental movement skills.
  • Most participants at this level are young children in primary school.
  • Activities at this level are often non-competitive, focusing more on learning, enjoyment and developing a habit for physical activity.

Participation Level

  • This level is about continued participation in sports and physical activities.
  • It encourages people to take part in sports regularly for enjoyment and health benefits.
  • This stage works to retain interest in sports and physical fitness into adolescence and adulthood.

Performance Level

  • This level focuses on improving skills and techniques in a specific sport.
  • Athletes at this stage take part in organised competition and receive advanced coaching.
  • Emphasis is placed on advanced skill development, tactical understanding and physical conditioning.

Elite Level

  • This is the highest level of sport participation, representing performers at the peak of their careers.
  • Athletes at this level are often professional or semi-professional and compete at national, international or professional standards.
  • They receive the highest level of coaching, alongside support from sport science and medicine professionals.

The progression from foundation to elite is not always linear, and people can join or leave the pyramid at any stage, based on their life circumstances, interests and the opportunities available to them.

Importance of the Sports Development Pyramid

  • The Sports Development Pyramid model highlights the need for a well-structured sports development programme, guiding participants from grassroots to elite level.
  • The pyramid structure emphasises that for a few to reach the elite level, a large foundation of participants is necessary.
  • It helps sporting bodies make decisions about resources allocation for sports development and talent identification efforts.
  • The model also highlights the importance of building a strong foundation at the base, with an emphasis on making sports accessible, fun and inclusive for all.

Remember, while understanding this structure is essential, you should also be able to relate it to real-life examples and apply it to various physical activities and sports.