The influence of age-policy changes on the relative age effect across the Australian Rules football talent pathway. Issue 10 (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haycraft, Jade A.Z.; Kovalchik, Stephanie; Pyne, David B.; Larkin, Paul; Robertson, Sam
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 21:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1106
• Page End: 1111
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Talent identification -- Development -- Recruitment -- Selection bias -- Team sport -- Birth date distribution; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.03.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To identify the influence of age-policy changes on the relative age effect (RAE) across the Australian Football League (AFL) talent pathway. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of junior AFL players attending the National Draft (National), State, and State Under 16s (U16) combines between 1999–2016. Methods: Birth-date data was obtained for players attending the AFL State U16 (n = 663, age: 15.9 ± 0.4 years), State (n = 803, age: 19.1 ± 1.7 years), National (n = 1111, age: 18.3 ± 0.8 years) combines. Corresponding aged-matched Australian general population birth rate data was also collected. Results: A chi-squared analysis comparing birth month distributions found all combine groups differed significantly from the general population (Under 16s: χ 2 = 62.61, State: χ 2 = 38.83, National: χ 2 = 129.13, p < 0.001). Specifically, Under 16s had greater birth frequencies for months January to March (≥2%, p < 0.05), with more State players born in January (4.9%, p < 0.05). Age-policy changes at the National level reduced birth distribution bias for some months, however the RAE remained for March, June and July (3.9%, 6.1%, 4.3%, p < 0.05). State U16s and National players had 2–9% lower birth frequencies for November–December births compared general population. Conclusions: Selection bias exists towards older players is present at the AFL's State U16, and is maintained at State and National level combines. Age-policy changes are only partially successful at addressing the RAE at the National level, with alternative strategies also recommended in order to address the RAE across the AFL talent pathways.