Understanding the role of physical development for junior athletes is crucial in creating a successful pathway for future success and continued participation in sport.
Firstly, with the increase in exposure to technology in schools and at home, children have increasingly spent more time inside sitting on the couch than spending time outdoors participating in unstructured play.
Secondly, there is a misconception that in order to become a top level athlete, our 8 year olds need to start playing one sport and master that one sport from an early age. This is referred to as early specialisation.