Improving the transition from junior to senior elite

THE CARIBBEAN’S sport history is quite rich, and track and field, specifically, has been a beacon, accounting for almost all Olympic medals in the region.

In some countries, track and field competitions are introduced early, with national competitions starting as early as the primary school level (Entrance age five or six years, depending on the country). These competitions at primary and secondary school levels aid talent identification and development. These meets are viewed and supported by present and past students alike. The stadiums are full, and the games are broadcast on local television nationwide. The Inter-Secondary Schools’ Sports Association (ISSA) Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championship in Jamaica is one of the largest, with thousands of competitors and an international audience, including scouts from American colleges seeking new talent.

The result of this solid sporting culture is highlighted at the junior level, where Caribbean athletes frequently excel at games such as World Youth and Pan American Juniors. However, there appears to be a disconnect between junior and senior athletic excellence in the Caribbean region.

Qualitative research by Candice Thomas, Timothy Chambers, Luana Main, and Paul Gastin in 2021 found that the poor transition from junior elite to the senior level is multifactorial. Four main themes emerged in their work: inadequate support, commitment, pressure, competition, and battle with injuries.

Inadequate support included financial, social, and sport ecosystem. The lack of financial support becomes a deciding factor for some junior athletes when they decide to pursue professional sports or a steady academic career path. Persons at this transition point are balancing the challenges of moving from being financially dependent on their parents to financial independence or contributing to the household financially. Those without financial support at this pivotal point may choose not to continue along the athletic pathway. Minimal financial support is available in the region for the post-secondary pursuit of competitive sport. The poor sport ecosystem speaks to problems with organisation and administration, infrastructure, transparency, lack of athlete development pathways, and conflicts. They reported that athletes voiced a lack of support from parents, friends, and institutions, affecting their decision to discontinue track and field.

The conflict between academic, personal, and training demands can also lead to withdrawal from sports. These young athletes must juggle the pressure to perform academically while still training and competing in environments that are often unsupportive and for little or no financial gain. This harsh reality often leads to withdrawal from sport. For some, the high level of competition becomes too overwhelming amid all the other pressures being faced, and for others, injury is the deciding factor to stop.

Sports injury is a reality that all athletes must deal with. When the additional bill of injury rehabilitation is added, the situation can appear daunting for some. In the Caribbean, junior athletes, including junior elite athletes, often participate in multiple sports for their schools. These athletes are at increased risk of injury and burnout. Sub-optimal medical treatment for an injury increases the risk of recurrence. Therapy for repeated injury or prolonged rehabilitation for an old injury is not always possible for some athletes. Financial support is needed to help these athletes prevent and treat these injuries and provide the necessary guidance to prepare them for the lifestyle change that occurs when they move from junior to senior elite athletes. With the appropriate support system, some athletes may avoid the pressure of being an elite junior athlete and making the decision not to continue at the senior level.

Our Caribbean junior athletes require more support from family, friends, and medical professionals to cope with the pressure associated with being elite junior athletes. More financial support is needed for our athletes during this transition period. More options should be available to them to make the athletic pathway a feasible option at a time when they are also expected to become financially independent. Elite junior athletes battling with injuries need additional support. Rehabilitation for sports injuries requires multiple sessions with physiotherapists, sports doctors, and sports psychologists. The process can become costly and require substantial social and financial support. There is a need for more organisations that can give this necessary support to our junior elite athletes. There is a need for both government and private sectors to collaborate for better results. Sports organisations must look closely at their organisation, administration, and management and reflect on if their policies and procedures for sustainable long-term athlete development, if any exist, will facilitate a larger pool of athletes transitioning from junior to senior elite athletes. Addressing issues with the sport ecosystem is essential for our region.

Dr Sherece Benskin is a medical doctor pursuing an MSc in Sports Medicine at the Faculty of Sport, UWI.