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

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.

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]).

The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. A total of 112 male soccer players (M_age=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 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.

The current results may help teams support players psychologically so they can advance along their developmental pathway.