The hidden currents of Canadian sport: A deep dive with SIRC’s new podcast
In the world of sports, we often celebrate the visible: the gold medals, the game-winning goals, the perfect routines executed under the bright lights of competition. But beneath the surface of every athletic performance lies a complex web of forces—psychological, structural, and cultural—that shape an athlete’s journey long before they ever step into competition. This…
Spotting hidden talent: How “sleeper” athletes’ traits predict ice hockey success
A study on elite junior ice hockey players found sleepers, overlooked athletes who later excel, had superior planning skills and unique eye movements. These traits helped scouts predict late drafted players’ success, emphasizing the value of psychological profiles in identifying hidden talent.
Beyond the Stats: Understanding Sleeper Athletes with Dr. Joe Baker
In a sports culture obsessed with early success, Canada may be missing out on some of the best athletes, sleepers, those who develop later, defying the traditional timelines of talent. Dr. Joe Baker, a leading expert on talent development and professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto, says…
Exploring Contemporary Issues in Canadian Youth Hockey: Experiences and Perspectives of Peewee Players and Elite Hockey Insiders
Relative Age, Recreation Sport Participation and Youth Development
SIRC Talks/Exposés : Joe Baker
Exploring Developmental Factors for Overcoming Relative Age Effects in Ice Hockey
SIRC Talks/Exposés : Joe Baker
6A: Do you see what I see? Understanding talent selection in sport
Do you see what I see? Understanding talent selection in sport
Introduction and Context Over the past two decades there has been increasing interest in evidence-based approaches to talent selection and identification. This is often coupled with an emphasis on the early identification of ‘talented’ athletes, based on the assumption that these athletes need to be nurtured (e.g., by providing opportunities for advanced coaching, competition) to…