Culture is created (or changed) by the combination of values, beliefs and behaviours of people, and the systems, processes, language and symbols which exist.
Creating the right environment for a healthy talent development culture, both on and off the pitch is a complex task.
A number of factors will contribute to the creation of this healthy culture and will be driven by the way we do things and the way we behave in relation to common beliefs and goals.
The Four Ps
- PERSON Every person matters. What is best for this player’s wellbeing? Every player is first and foremost a young person: the health, safety, wellbeing and long-term development of every young person matters. We have a duty of care to everyone who interacts with the talent system. Well-being takes into consideration - the mental; physical; emotional and social well-being of a player.
- PLAYER Player-centered decision making. What is best for this player? A recognition that while there are multiple stakeholders involved in the talent system (with many different personal, organisational, wants and needs), our fundamental purpose is to provide the best possible experiences for players to realise their potential.
- PERFORMANCE Performance matters; it’s more than just about the taking part. What will help this player perform? A healthy talent culture values performance and excellence. It encourages and drives high standards of behaviour on and off the pitch. Players require physical and mental stretch, challenge and support to progress. They need to experience setbacks and be uncomfortable at times, and they need opportunities to experiment, innovate and have fun. All this will be present in a high functioning performance orientated talent environment.
- PARTNERSHIP Partnership working. How are we working together for the good of this player? A recognition that working together and maximising our collective expertise and strength will create a stronger and more fulfilling talent system for all. Junior hockey is run by adults for children. Competitiveness and ambition by young players need to be supported by our collaboration off the field. We need to provide a person first, player centred, performance focussed and collaborative system for all.
