The transition to elite performance- societal contrasts in the same sport

Abstract

Governments, National Governing Bodies, and professional sporting organisations are forever searching for the ‘golden bullet’ that will bring international sporting success. The sport of rugby league (RL) originated in England, in the first instance as a breakaway from the rugby football union. In Australia, the sport of RL is played nationwide but, as in England, centres around two major ‘hotspots’; namely, the states of New South Wales and Queensland. “Canadian and Swedish hockey systems offer two different approaches to elite player development, resulting in different trajectories regarding international success in the World Junior Championships and in the number of players drafted into the National Hockey League”. The senior England international team is drawn from players from the Super League competition, and England eligible players who have migrated to the National Rugby League – the elite competition in Australasia, or others who satisfy international eligibility rules.