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DISSERTATION Long Term Athlete Development

The athletic performance development model, known as the Long Term Athlete Development model was, and continues to be, developed by Istvan Balyi from 1990 to the present day. The LTAD has developed from five stages in 2001 to six stages in 2004. This review examines the impact of Doctor Istvan Balyi’s Long Term Athlete Development model on sporting governing bodies in Northern Ireland and the quality athlete development in each of Rugby, Hockey, Cycling, Basketball and Sailing. The research aims to determine the impact of Istvan Balyi’s LTAD model on Northern Irelands governing bodies and what changes they have, and are making. Development plans put in place by each governing bodies show a will to adapt the LTAD model to their sports. Results found that 100% of the governing bodies studied expressed the need for athlete development at primary school age or earlier. Research also showed an immense interest in the LTAD model, with two out of the five sports publishing a sports specific LTAD model. Progress has been hindered by lack of qualified coaches, poor competition structure and few PE specialists in primary schools. All sports wish to change competition structures and try to adapt the model to suit them specifically. Each sport agrees with the principals of the model. Implementation of the LTAD model is still in planning for most of the sports.