Early developmental environment and Olympic success: an analysis of an Australian sporting "hotspot"

Abstract

Inspired by the ‘birthplace effect’ phenomenon, this study aimed to identify an Australian sporting “hotspot” and gain an understanding of factors underpinning a proportionately high number of Australian summer Olympians experiencing their early developmental environment within the area. A mixed-methods approach was utilised to identify the “hotspot” through collecting biographical data on all known (n=2160) Australian summer Olympians 1984-2012, followed by undertaking a case study analysis to examine the “hotspot” within the context of Bronfenbrenner’s (1979b; 1994a; 1998) ‘Ecological Systems Theory’ and ‘Bioecological Model’. Alongside the archival collection of demographic and climate data, Olympians’ (n=11) and community stakeholders (n=31) views regarding the “hotspot’s” occurrence and its perceived influence on athletic development were gained through semi-structured interviews. The results determined several demographic, geographic, historical, individual, social and fortuitous factors contributed to the creation of the “hotspot”. Access to built and natural facilities, climate, family influence, schools, strong community clubs, opportunity to train and compete with older athletes, access to role models, high socioeconomic status and an endemic sports culture were key contributors to effective athlete development within the “hotspot”. Although not predominantly attributable to one variable, it was evident a confluence of planned and fortuitous factors had unintentionally created a “hotspot” of Australian summer Olympians in Perth, Western Australia. Despite several factors being unique to the “hotspot”, some are potentially transferable to other athlete development environments in Australia and overseas. In a quality early developmental environment, Olympians believed factors proximal to them including family, the junior sports environment and individual psychological characteristics had the most decisive influence on their athletic development.