to continue with the Performance Planning system with focus sports. The second was the delivery of a world class support structure to elite athletes by an Institute of Sport. While the Athens Enhancement Programme represented a significant step forward, the planning process concentrated only on elite squads and athletes and supported only those athletes who were in the qualification frame for Athens. This had left a considerable gap in terms of supporting junior and development athletes. The focus narrowed to a number of targeted sports that were capable of producing a calibre of athletes on a consistent and repeatable basis. This meant not only focusing and investing in the current generation of world class athletes, but also developing junior talent through a structured competition pathway from schools through to world level. The Performance Plans are funded on an annual basis and continue to be developed in a detailed way with the focus sports. As the performance planning process will take a longer term focus, each NGB is required to consider a whole sport approach to planning and consider junior (2016), developmental (2012) and senior (2008) programmes. While there is a need to support the Beijing Olympic Cycle, the Council will continue on its path of long term programme delivery, thus ensuring maximum return from the opportunities provided by London 2012 and providing a legacy in high performance sport. |