Co-designing talent transfer pathways in para-sport: A case study

First published online 08 May 2024.

Why this study was done

Some athletes with disabilities have the ability to move from one sport to another and succeed. This is called a “talent transfer.” However, there is not much research on how sport systems support this in para-sport. This study aimed to understand what helps or makes it harder to support these athletes, and how systems can improve so that talent transfer is more accessible to para-athletes.

What the study did

Researchers spoke with 12 experienced professionals (such as coaches and sport managers) in a workshop. They worked together to share ideas and experiences about how talent transfer works in para-sport and discover gaps in current methods.

What the study found

The study found that several factors affect how well talent transfer works, including:

• How athletes are identified and supported
• Access to the right resources
• How well different parts of the sport system work together

They also identified eight key areas where improvements could be made.

What this means

This research helps sport organisations better understand how to support athletes moving between sports. Improving systems and collaboration could lead to better opportunities and outcomes for para-athletes.

This study was conducted by: Ms. Adeline Green, Dr. Birdie Green, Dr. David Fleischman and Dr. Roy Mulcahy

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Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity and approved by the author.