Method for identifying and instructing top level athletes

Abstract

A method and system is provided for screening and identifying athletes that have the highest potential within their chosen sport and providing a training and development environment for these athletes at the elite and super elite level of their respective sport. The system employs a nine part integrated system that is structured in a manner that assists in identifying those player that are the most able to benefit from intensive training to move them from a top-level athlete to an elite athlete. The steps generally include prescreening, athlete selection, pre-training/preparation, intensive training, progress monitoring, player family support and communication, cultural exposure, professional career placement and post career support and counseling. In this context, a comprehensive approach is provided for identifying talented athletes and providing a training and development environment for these athletes.

1 . A structured program for identification and training top-level athletes in their respective sport comprising:
 prescreening a plurality of athlete candidates for participation in the program;   rigorously screening the plurality of athlete candidates to determine and select those suited for participation in the program;   preparing the selected athletes in a pre-training program to insure their technical skills and readiness for the program;   intensive training of the selected athletes;   monitoring progress for each of the selected athletes relative to individual progress goals set for each of the selected candidates;   maintaining communication between athletes and athlete parents regarding candidate progress and development;   fostering cultural immersion and education of athletes regarding new cultures;   facilitating of athletes into a professional athletic career; and   supporting and counseling of athletes during their professional athletic career and for related post athletic career options.   
   
   
       2 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein said prescreening process is conducted by club level athletic teams that recommend their top-level athletes for participation in the program. 
   
   
       3 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein said rigorous screening includes physical and psychological testing of the plurality of athlete candidates to insure their qualification for participation in the program. 
   
   
       4 . The structured program of  claim 3 , wherein said rigorous screening further includes interviews with the athlete candidates, their parents, their teachers and their coaches to insure their qualification for participation in the program. 
   
   
       5 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein said intensive training is conducted at destination athletic clubs. 
   
   
       6 . The structured program of  claim 5 , wherein said intensive training at the destination athletic clubs is sponsored by a professional athletic team. 
   
   
       7 . The structured program of  claim 6 , wherein athletes that successfully complete the program are given an opportunity to play with a professional club that sponsored the program. 
   
   
       8 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein the development of the selected athletes is monitored to track the athlete's progress in the development of their athletic skills, their mental abilities and their personal character. 
   
   
       9 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein athletes communicate with their parents via free telephone service. 
   
   
       10 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein parents can observe the development of the athletes via webcam monitors. 
   
   
       11 . The structured program of  claim 1 , wherein fostering cultural immersion of the athletes is enhanced using cultural and recreational trips throughout Europe.