In youth sport, it is natural for attention to fall on results. Trophies, rankings and selections feel like the markers of progress. They are visible, measurable and exciting. But the truth is that long-term success in sport and life is shaped less by what young athletes win and more by who they become along the way.
In competitive sport, it is easy for young athletes to define themselves by results. Wins and losses become the measure of worth. Selections feel like validation. A bad performance can feel personal. Over time, the scoreboard becomes a mirror.
For years, the “10,000-hour rule” has been quoted as the secret to mastery — a neat equation suggesting that elite performance is simply a matter of volume. But at ESCA, we know the truth is far more nuanced.
For too long, student-athletes have been forced into an impossible choice: pursue their sport or prioritise their education — but never both.
The debate around early specialisation in youth sport is louder than ever and as a parent, it can be overwhelming to know what’s best for your child.
The reality is that change is woven into the very nature of sport. But instead of resisting it, what if we saw it as a chance to grow?
