The application of a multi-dimensional assessment approach to talent identification in Australian football |
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| Authors: | Carl T Woods Annette J Raynor Lyndell Bruce Zane McDonald Sam Robertson |
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| Institution: | 1. Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australiacarl.woods@jcu.edu.au;3. School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia;4. School of Medical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Melbourne, Australia;5. Institute of Sport, Exercise &6. Active Living, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThis study investigated whether a multi-dimensional assessment could assist with talent identification in junior Australian football (AF). Participants were recruited from an elite under 18 (U18) AF competition and classified into two groups; talent identified (State U18 Academy representatives; n = 42; 17.6 ± 0.4 y) and non-talent identified (non-State U18 Academy representatives; n = 42; 17.4 ± 0.5 y). Both groups completed a multi-dimensional assessment, which consisted of physical (standing height, dynamic vertical jump height and 20 m multistage fitness test), technical (kicking and handballing tests) and perceptual-cognitive (video decision-making task) performance outcome tests. A multivariate analysis of variance tested the main effect of status on the test criterions, whilst a receiver operating characteristic curve assessed the discrimination provided from the full assessment. The talent identified players outperformed their non-talent identified peers in each test (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve reflected near perfect discrimination (AUC = 95.4%), correctly classifying 95% and 86% of the talent identified and non-talent identified participants, respectively. When compared to single assessment approaches, this multi-dimensional assessment reflects a more comprehensive means of talent identification in AF. This study further highlights the importance of assessing multi-dimensional performance qualities when identifying talented team sports. |
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| Keywords: | Talent identification talent development team sports performance testing |
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