LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

 

 

Swim Ireland is responsible for providing a framework to all performers to be whatever they want to be in our sport. Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles have been incorporated into the pathway and subsequent framework. It is important  that Swim Ireland leads and directs and that they provide recommendations for clubs, committees, facilities and teachers/coaches to work together under a structure to ensure there is a  “cultural  change”,  and that finally Ireland leads the way in building an effective aquatic system.

 

The vision for the education and development plan is “to foster an environment where all can access clear developmental pathways and quality support from learn to swim through to elite success and lifelong participation in the aquatics”. Through the strategic approach to the education and development systems, the Director of Education and Development has identified that the LTAD concept and principles will underpin all work in the future. LTAD is a concept and a framework that you can work with which is      a training, competition and recovery programme based upon developmental age – the maturation level of an individual, rather than chronological age. It is performer centred and the concept should be coach driven, and administration, sport science, and sponsor supported. LTAD is a vehicle for change and it is a recommendation that the Swim Ireland board fully understands the concept, principles and implications of LTAD and fully supports the decision to tailor our programmes and structures around this concept for future development for the performers and recreational participants within Ireland.

 

LTAD Concept

Scientific research has identified that it takes at least 10 years, or 10,000 hours for talented athletic individuals to achieve sporting excellence. It is frequently documented that there are two  ways  in  which  our  young  performers  can  improve their performance 1.Training, which can be broken down into the development of skills and physiological development 2.  Growth and Development

 

If a long term approach to training is not adopted there is likely to be a plateau in performance, when growth and development slows significantly and for some their performance may get considerably worse. At this point the short term training approach cannot be reversed and this often leads to drop out before a performer has achieved close to their potential. The LTAD framework is viewed as the basis to progress from young novice to senior international performer, by clearly identifying a pathway starting with basic skills and aerobic work and building right through    to elite performance. However rather than view the model as an elite athlete model it is suggested that the model should be viewed as a retention model.

 

The philosophy behind the thinking of an LTAD based framework/pathway has been implemented by good and successful coaches in some way, shape or form over the years; however this has been completed   on an ad hoc basis dependant on the experience and understanding of the coach  or  teacher  and  the principles may not always have been applied in every situation. In recent years however, there has been a modern drive, to re-educate the complete sporting community and t o focus all of their efforts on adhering to the LTAD framework/pathway when designing programmes, competitions and strategies for their athletes.

 

LTAD as previously mentioned is about achieving optimal training, competition and recovery throughout an athlete’s career, particularly in relation to the important growth and development years of young people. Thus a core aim of the LTAD concept is to ensure that the desire and talent of the swimmer is matched to an appropriate training environment. If this can be achieved in Ireland, then the likelihood  of our swimmers, players, divers and staying in the sport and achieving personal success should be increased significantly.