The Goldmine Effect Part 1 : Secrets of Youth Talent Development

We all know want to know the answers to the question of talent development — in fact it’s a critical job of thousands of people across the world in any industry. The motivation to write this article, some of the concepts have been stolen from The Goldmine Effect by Rasmus Ankerson and blended with other readings and experiences.

What is our talent quotient? What percentage of people capable of achieving something can we keep in our sport that end up achieving it?

How does a small village in Kenya named Iten, consistently produce the world’s best long distance runners?

How does a small country named Lithuania of only 2.9 million people, ranked 8th in basketball in the world?

How does South Korea, produce 35% of the world’s best female golfers?

I’ll be posting a 7 part series on the effects of talent goldmines around the world over the next few weeks — here is lesson 1!

Lesson 1: What You See, Is Not What You Get

The relative age effect is a phenomenon in which children born in, or close to, a critical age cut-off period may have an advantage in both athletic and academic endeavours.