Too many sports bodies are focused on reverse engineering the elite athlete experience, and applying it to the childhood experience of sport.

What ever do you mean, Keiran?

Elite programs are the clearest example. By saying 'you're good enough for this elite program', coaches are also implicitly addressing the rest of the group, saying, 'you're not good enough'.

Watch as the second group leaves the sport all together in the following six months.

That's all very well if your goal is to create professional athletes. But I think the goal needs to change.

Instead, we need to set the goal of having as many people as possible participating in sport when they leave school. Sport needs to be more inclusive, regardless of skill level.

The outcome is the same: 1-2% of the sporting population will still reach the elite level. But there's a very important difference.

The REST OF US who don't make it as a pro, will have:

- felt a sense of belonging outside our family.
- had many years to grow confidence and competence in our movement abilities (allowing for slower learners to flourish too).
- developed healthy exercise habits that are much easier to sustain into adulthood.

This is a massive, silent, issue in Australia. 77% of 5-14 year-olds aren't getting enough organised activity every day.

Instead of only blaming screen time, we need to take responsibility as coaches for our role in our kid's sporting experience.

P.s. I used this AWESOME photo I got with a Green Turtle on the GBR as an example of this philosophy. A lifelong healthy relationship with movement, maintains my confidence that my body can handle all sorts of uncomfortable situations, giving me a chance to experience moments others might miss out on.