British Talent Squad

[Scott]

The first of the new British squads has just been announced on the the BOF website. Congratulations to all.

This is, I think, the lowest tier on the new Grand Pyramid of Squads. Hopefully we'll be getting the rest in the near future...

[Gross]

now we can have a 9 page discussion about whether Talent, Academy, Performance and Podium are better names and therefore more meaningful than Start, Junior, Potential and Performance

[AndyO]

er...no

[Scott]

Don't worry, today they've announced something apparently called the "World Class National Squad", which does rather suggest that they've given up on their nice pyramid system already .

Anyway - congratulations to all selected!

[Mrs H]

Is that it then - are there any other squads to be announced?

[Scott]

I am wondering the same thing - given everything that's been said about the new structure, it certainly feels as if there should be an intermediate tier between the two announced squads.

[ba-ba]

Isn't there an acadamy squad in between the two?
Talent>Academy>World Class

[Mrs H]

I'm sure that must be the case as if you cross reference the (hem hem) new ranking list with those athletes getting TASS and those on the squads there are definitely a few names missing which should not be (IMHO)

[awk]

"World class" is one of those phrases that has become a real cliche. Of course you expect your National Squad to be able to compete at world level. What other purpose is there? Pure politico-babble.

[Scott]

Isn't there an acadamy squad in between the two?
Talent>Academy>World Class

All the squads are "World Class" - according to the structure diagram it's supposed to go World Class Talent>World Class Academy>World Class Performance>World Class Podium. It appears that they have (at least) merged "Performance" and "Podium" into "National".

[RJ]

The two important levels are those at the bottom, club and regional. This gives the talented youngsters a structure to develop in, and ultimately a goal at the top of the pyramid for those that survive in the sport for a good few years.

The bottom of the pyramid is always the important bit. There is a top bit.... what they call it is really immaterial! World Class 'tag line' is fine with me!

[NeilC]

I'm sure that must be the case as if you cross reference the (hem hem) new ranking list with those athletes getting TASS and those on the squads there are definitely a few names missing which should not be (IMHO)

TASS awards were not given to those juniors not at University (ie at school, working or on a gap year) so do not automatically represent the best.

An interesting comment is that both squads will be added to during the year. Presumably the national squad will have to be supplemented from the talent squad.

[Mrs H]

I do understand who is eligible for TASS Neil and wasn't commenting on who was left out of the TASS funding - but given that it is a registry of some "Talented Athletes" I'm surprised they are not included in a the programme somewhere - just as I'm surprised there is not a place for some more senior athletes not at university who have proven they have what it takes in the past. Are they simply to materialise out of nowhere at the selection races and qualify for places in the national squad - it'll be a bit embarrassing if they do - surely better to have a holding pen to keep them in the mix. Academy sounds about right.

For once I agree with RJ that the bottom layers are the most important and I'm glad that BOF have dropped the lower age groups of the Start Squad which I always felt put undue pressure on youngsters and rarely produced any long term contenders.

It is a shame however that the junior tours have gone - and in particular the Lakeside weekend that all the junior squads could send suitable M/W 16s to. Although I understand a number of enterprising regional coaches have taken this matter into their own hands.

[NeilC]

I do understand who is eligible for TASS

Only last year they was given to those still at school - so somewhere policy has changed.