Selection and re-selection throughout a national talent pathway: Exploring longitudinal relative age effects in Northern Ireland male soccer.

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Title: Selection and re-selection throughout a national talent pathway: Exploring longitudinal relative age effects in Northern Ireland male soccer.
Authors: McAuley, Alexander B. T., Baker, Joseph, Johnston, Kathryn, Doncaster, Greg, Kelly, Adam L.
Source: High Ability Studies. Dec2024, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p231-247. 17p.
Subjects: Soccer, Chi-squared test, Males, Odds ratio, Confidence intervals
Geographic Terms: Northern Ireland
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal prevalence of relative age effects (RAEs) across playing levels and positions in Northern Ireland international male soccer. Birthdates of U17 (n = 276), U19 (n = 320), U21 (n = 331), and senior (n = 108) international players between 2011 and 2023 were recorded. Chi-square tests and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to compare observed and expected birthdate distributions. A selection bias toward relatively older players was evident at U17 and U19 playing levels as well as defensive and midfield positions. In contrast, more relatively younger senior and forward players were selected. Longitudinal analyses revealed that of those players who were initially selected at U17, more relatively older players were re-selected at subsequent playing levels, but there were no birthdate asymmetries amongst new players added after U17. The results of this study demonstrate RAEs are prevalent across Northern Ireland international male soccer and are influenced by playing level as well as position. These findings have important implications for policy makers and practitioners as relatively older players are overrepresented at youth but not senior level, which questions the efficacy of this (un)conscious bias in the talent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of High Ability Studies is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22High+Ability+Studies%22">High Ability Studies</searchLink>. Dec2024, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p231-247. 17p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Soccer%22">Soccer</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chi-squared+test%22">Chi-squared test</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Males%22">Males</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Odds+ratio%22">Odds ratio</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Confidence+intervals%22">Confidence intervals</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Northern+Ireland%22">Northern Ireland</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal prevalence of relative age effects (RAEs) across playing levels and positions in Northern Ireland international male soccer. Birthdates of U17 (n = 276), U19 (n = 320), U21 (n = 331), and senior (n = 108) international players between 2011 and 2023 were recorded. Chi-square tests and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to compare observed and expected birthdate distributions. A selection bias toward relatively older players was evident at U17 and U19 playing levels as well as defensive and midfield positions. In contrast, more relatively younger senior and forward players were selected. Longitudinal analyses revealed that of those players who were initially selected at U17, more relatively older players were re-selected at subsequent playing levels, but there were no birthdate asymmetries amongst new players added after U17. The results of this study demonstrate RAEs are prevalent across Northern Ireland international male soccer and are influenced by playing level as well as position. These findings have important implications for policy makers and practitioners as relatively older players are overrepresented at youth but not senior level, which questions the efficacy of this (un)conscious bias in the talent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of High Ability Studies is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/13598139.2024.2404410
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 231
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      – SubjectFull: Soccer
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Chi-squared test
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Males
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Odds ratio
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Confidence intervals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Northern Ireland
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Selection and re-selection throughout a national talent pathway: Exploring longitudinal relative age effects in Northern Ireland male soccer.
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              M: 12
              Text: Dec2024
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              Y: 2024
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