Models of Organisation of Youth Elite Sports Training System in Europe

The European Commission is aware of the professionalisation of sports and the requirements of profitableness that unavoidably induct risks for European young high-level athletes and takes care of their protection and of the quality of their training. Thus, the European Commission decided to realise a study on training of sportsmen/women in the 27 Member States of the European Union in order to be able to lead political or legal actions which would contribute to the promotion and development of high quality training.

The aim of the project was to identify ways of improving the legal and political framework for preserving and developing high-quality training for top-level sportspersons, particularly young sportspersons, in Europe. The study of the training of elite young sportsmen and sportswomen in Europe was conducted in all 27 Members States of UE in 2007. The research process was based on two main sources: legal and sports questionnaire.

This paper presents main models of organisation of youth elite sports training system. On the basis of the results of the study two main factors which have strong impact on the organisation of the training of young athletes were indicated: i) funding and supervision; ii) management of the training centres.

The organisation of sports in the different countries has a direct impact on the organisation of the training of young athletes. On the basis of obtained data 7 main models for the operation of training centres in all 27 UE countries depending on two axes: funding and management. There is no unified system of supervision of the funds as it depends on the national regulations. Therefore, the grade and methods of this control from public institutions is different in 27 UE member countries. In Poland we may observe a model based on public funding and a mix between sports clubs and national associations to operate the training centres.