Developed by the Australian Institute of Sport, FTEM is a fully integrated evidence based framework representing the major phases of Foundation, Talent, Elite and Mastery of the whole sport pathway continuum.
It categorises key features of each stage of an athlete’s journey and provides a practical method to assist sport and athlete stakeholders to maximise and manage athlete development.
Why have we used FTEM as a framework for our Pathway?
For those involved in talent programmes, sporting excellence is the ambition. For the majority involved in talent programmes, it is the defining place where the ambition is never realised. 96% of participants across sport do not ‘graduate’ from talent programmes. Often these athletes are lost to the sport when lifestyle and performance mean that they are unable to maintain a constant upward trajectory.
In fencing we cannot afford this ‘kick-out’ model of athlete development particularly as it takes so many years (8-12 years minimum) to develop as an elite fencer. Therefore we have chosen to use a framework that provides a more flexible and inclusive alternative for developing pathways through fencing, allowing for linear and non linear progression, athletes to develop at different rates, unconstrained by age
What are the benefits of FTEM?
Use of this framework results in an enhanced understanding of fencer pathways will help us to improve the experiences of more participants, at more levels of the pathway, more often. This will help us retain more fencers, building the pipeline and ultimately deliver better performances.
Return to the Pathway Zone to find out more about the Athlete Development Pathway.
Activate your free, 90 day membership to British Fencing today. Membership insures you to fence at any British Fencing club.
Does your organisation want to bring fencing to your community? Explore our core coach course, no experience required.
Start your journey to becoming a community fencing coach. Introduce fencing to pupils for as little as £25. Find out more today.
Sign up to receive regular highlights from the exciting world of fencing - celebrating the best of our unique and inspiring community