No solutions, only trade-offs : An exploration of contextual factors influencing rugby union talent development environments

Talent development environments (TDEs) strive to develop junior athletes towards senior elite performance, however, are subject to a range of contextual factors influencing their operations. This study aimed to investigate the influence of contextual factors on efficiency and effectiveness across all English rugby union men’s academies. Fourteen focus groups were conducted, one for each academy. Underpinned by pragmatic research philosophy, focus group discussions were analysed via reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis led to the generation of four themes to explain the impact of contextual factors: “multiple loosely connected concurrent environments”, “regulation drives practice”, “organisational influences” and “searching for bang for buck”. Findings suggest complex interactions between a network of individuals and organisations, both internal and external to the structure of the talent system. In this context, it seemed inadequate to only consider the role of a single TDE. Overall, results reflect contextual and resource challenges constrain practice within English rugby union academies. In practice, we suggest the need to consider the tension of regulation to enhance minimum standards, against the increased autonomy that may result from flexibility of regulation to facilitate enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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