Factors influencing the invitation for national squad selection in youth basketball: The role of relative age, maturity, and birthplace
This study examined within-group factors associated with youth basketball players invited to national squad selection camps within Basketball England`s talent identification and development system. Data from 253 players (140 males, 113 females) were analysed for relative age, biological maturity, anthropometric characteristics, playing position, and region of birth. A significant Relative Age Effect was evident in both sexes, with an overrepresentation of players born in the first two quarters of the selection year (males: chi^2 (3) = 27.07, p < .001; females: chi^2 (3) = 9.47, p = .024). However, there were no significant differences in maturity timing or anthropometric characteristics by birth quarter, suggesting prior filtering of later-maturing players before national camp selection. Regional differences in height and mass were significant in males (height: F(8,125) = 2.34, p = .022; mass: F(8,125) = 2.31, p = .024). Guards were the most frequently selected playing position in both sexes (males: chi^2 (3) = 23.37, p < .001; females: chi^2 (3) = 33.31, p < .001). These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of selection influences within TID systems and suggest that regional context and population concentration may influence access to national pathways.
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| Subjects: | |
|---|---|
| Notations: | sport games junior sports |
| Tagging: | Profiling |
| Published in: | Journal of Sports Sciences |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2026
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| Volume: | 44 |
| Issue: | 8 |
| Pages: | 1089-1101 |
| Document types: | article |
| Level: | advanced |