I hate the performance pathway.

Seriously. I do.

Let me reframe that.

I hate the way that the performance pathway is implemented in so many sports with the assumption that every 5 year old who kicks a ball should be, wants to be, has to be, can be, must be; on the pathway to playing for Arsenal.

Or every kid who jumps into a pool should be on the pathway to winning an Olympic gold medal.

Or every kid who picks up a tennis racket should be on the pathway to winning Wimbledon.

C'mon. Aren't we all past this rubbish?

This model has failed all over the world.

Look at the research coming out now. The tide is turning.

Early specialisation; does not work.

Pushing kids into elite development programs too early only increases dropout rates.

Worshipping talent at young ages is a failed strategy.

It's so simple my friends.

1. If they love what they do, they do what they love. They keep coming back.

2. The only kid who can't improve is the one who's not coming. In sport, participation is winning.

3. It all comes down to great relationships. If they're having fun, if they feel they belong; they keep coming.

Stop building pathways.

Start building environments kids don't want to leave.

Stop advertising for Pathway staff and recruit Relationship builders and experience providers and human connectors.

It's time we all moved on from this failed philosophy which has done more harm to sport than just about anything else I can think of.