An investigation into the player development pathway among youth soccer players in South Africa

Background: Scant research has examined soccer player development trajectories in South Africa. Therefore, research on South African talent development may help create environments conducive to players’ learning and growth. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the factors affecting player development based on playing level (community team versus school academy) and playing phases (Youth Development Phase [YDP] versus Professional Development Phase [PDP]). Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. A total of 112 male soccer players (Mage=16.2±1.2 years; 51 community-based team players and 61 school academy players; 73 YDP players and 39 PDP players) participated in the study. Data were collected using a 30-item Player Development Soccer Scale. Results: Results showed that coaching (4.27±0.75 arbitrary units (AU)), personal mindset (4.24±0.63 AU) and social support network (4.17±0.63 AU) were perceived as the most important factors contributing to player development. The least important factor was sport psychology (3.62±0.83 AU). However, compared to school academy players, community team players recorded significantly (p<0.01) higher scores on all the factors of the player development pathway. None of the player development factors showed a significant (p>0.05) difference between YDP and PDP. Conclusion: The current results may help teams support players psychologically so they can advance along their developmental pathway.