Sport schools as talent development environments: The best of two worlds?
Secondary athlete education models are the backbone of national high-performance systems. By providing talented student athletes with a holistic blend of academic, athletic, and lifestyle support, these models strive to ensure success both on and off the field. While these systems have a deep-rooted history within the EU, they have historically lacked international platforms for high-level exchange.
The European Network of Sport Schools Conference initiated by ENOSS in 2019 took a pioneering step toward closing this gap. Our congresses in Berlin and Luxemburg offered a global stage for talent models to connect and inspire the wider sport and education communities. It is encouraging to see this momentum continue as more international conferences address this vital field.
ENOSS EXPERT TO SPEAK AT TIDES 2026
The TIDES 2026 Conference hosted by Leeds Beckett University is such an event; discovering cutting-edge research, innovative strategies, and global perspectives dedicated to this year’s main theme “Reimagining Talent: People, places, and possibilities in sport”. Over two days, leading international practitioners and researchers explore best practices in talent identification and development.
ENOSS is delighted that our associated expert, Koen De Brandt, has been selected to present in Leeds. Joining a distinguished panel of researchers—Fieke Rongen, Ffion Thompson, and Milla Saarinen—who are all specialists in performance lifestyle support, Koen will speak on “Sport-schools as talent development environments: The best of both worlds?” The session promises to offer deep insights into how dual career environments can be optimized for the next generation of high-performance athletes.
Find details about the upcoming event (10-12 June 2026) and official registration at the TIDES event page.
Photo © TIDES 2026
