Women's Football Hub

What does it really mean to develop an athlete?

For years, long-term athletic development has been the dominant framework guiding coaches, practitioners, and organisations. Built around structured stages such as “train to train” and “train to win,” it provided a much-needed foundation at a time when youth sport was largely adapted from adult models.

But as understanding has evolved, so too has the need for a more flexible, human-centred approach.

In a recent Women’s Football Hub podcast episode, strength and conditioning coach Maria Omma joined Carolyn Kent to explore a powerful shift in thinking. The move from long-term athletic development to long-term activity development may not just be a change in wording, but a redefinition of what success in sport really looks like.

From Linear Pathways to Flexible Journeys

Traditional models often suggest a linear progression. Athletes move step by step through defined stages, with performance as the ultimate goal.

The problem is, life is not linear.

People drop out of sport. They return after injuries. They take breaks for education, careers, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. And in women’s sport especially, many are only now getting access to opportunities that were historically unavailable.

Long-term activity development recognises this reality. Instead of rigid stages, it offers a fluid model built around five key phases:

• Explore
• Develop
• Apply
• Sustain
• Thrive

Rather than a ladder, it can be imagined as a winding road with roundabouts, where individuals move back and forth depending on their circumstances.

This is particularly relevant in women’s football, where participants may be joining the game for the first time in adulthood.

The Power of Exploration and Play

One of the most important phases in this new model is exploration.

While often associated with children, exploration is just as important for adults, particularly those returning to sport after long periods away. It is about rediscovering movement, trying new skills, and most importantly, enjoying the process.

For women entering football later in life, this might mean experiencing play in sport for the very first time.

Play is not just a warm-up or a tool for engagement. It is central to learning. It builds confidence, coordination, and connection without the pressure of performance.

As discussed in the episode, simple activities like tag games, obstacle challenges, or small-sided play can create environments where movement becomes enjoyable again.

And when enjoyment is present, participation follows.

Development Beyond Technique

As participants move into the development phase, the focus begins to shift towards building skills and physical capacity.

However, this is not just about technical football ability.

Fundamental movement skills play a critical role. Running, jumping, balancing, changing direction, and controlling the body in space all underpin performance and reduce injury risk.

In football, a simple concept highlights this clearly. Players spend most of the game on one leg. Yet many do not train for this.

Developing strength, coordination, and control does not require complex equipment or expensive facilities. Bodyweight exercises, partner work, and creative drills can all be used effectively.

The key is not complexity, but consistency and intention.

Applying Skills in Meaningful Contexts

The apply phase represents the transition from practice to performance.

This is where individuals begin to use their skills in real situations, whether that is a match, a training drill, or even daily life.

Success here is not defined by outcomes like winning or scoring, but by meaningful progress. It could be executing a movement with confidence, feeling more stable during play, or achieving something that once felt out of reach.

For many women in grassroots football, these moments are significant. Scoring a first goal, successfully tackling, or simply moving with confidence can represent major milestones.

Recognising and celebrating these moments reinforces engagement and motivation.

Sustaining Activity Through Life’s Challenges

One of the most important aspects of this model is the recognition that participation is not always consistent.

Life events can disrupt training and performance. For women, these disruptions can be particularly pronounced, including pregnancy, menopause, career changes, and caregiving responsibilities.

The sustain phase acknowledges that it is normal to step back.

Rather than viewing breaks as failure, the model encourages individuals to adapt, adjust, and return when possible. It removes the pressure of maintaining a constant trajectory and instead promotes long-term engagement.

This flexible approach is critical for increasing retention in women’s sport.

Thriving as an Individual

The final phase, thrive, is not about reaching an external standard of success. It is about achieving personal potential.

Thriving looks different for everyone. For some, it may be high-level performance. For others, it is community, enjoyment, and improved health.

In women’s football, thriving might mean finding belonging in a team, building confidence, or simply enjoying movement without fear or judgment.

Importantly, this phase is not permanent. Individuals can move back into earlier phases when circumstances change, reinforcing the idea of lifelong development.

Bringing It Back to Coaching

For coaches, this shift in thinking has significant implications.

It requires moving away from rigid programming and towards a more person-centred approach. Understanding the individual, their background, their motivations, and their challenges becomes essential.

It also calls for creativity. Simple, playful, and adaptable activities can often be more effective than highly structured drills.

And perhaps most importantly, it reinforces the value of human connection.

Knowing your players, building relationships, and creating supportive environments are fundamental to keeping people engaged in sport.

Final Thoughts

The shift from long-term athletic development to long-term activity development offers a more inclusive and realistic framework for sport.

In women’s football, where participation pathways are continually evolving, this approach has the potential to increase engagement, improve retention, and support lifelong involvement.

At its core, it reminds us that movement should be enjoyable.

And when people enjoy moving, they are far more likely to keep doing it.

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This blog was created from the podcast with the assistance of AI, then fully checked and edited by the podcast host

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