ABSTRACT
Amplified by the levels of investment and interest in elite sport around the world, leading the ‘performance department’ or ‘arm’ of a sports organisation is an increasingly complex and dynamic role. In this sense, the performance director (hereafter PD) has become a key figure in elite sport systems; a figure who, in broad terms, is responsible for leading, co-ordinating, and managing the systems, structures, and processes that are intended to drive performers, managers, coaches, support staff, and other specialists to develop, prepare, and perform at the highest level. In this chapter, my aim is to offer a perspective on the PD’s role in an Olympic and Paralympic sport context, as supported by reflections on my experience as PD for the UK’s Paralympic athletics (2006–08) and Olympic gymnastics (2008–13) programmes. More specifically, I present my views in two parts: in the first I will outline some useful approaches and skills that are required of the PD; in the second, I will offer a perspective on some current trends and future needs for the PD. Before presenting my ideas, however, it is important to clarify that these views and messages are clearly shaped by my experiences in UK-based roles. However, as elite sport systems around the world share a number of similarities, in terms of their general focus and nature, my hope is that they can offer a useful comparison or stimulus for those in other countries and cultures. To frame this, I will now provide a brief overview of the PD’s role in a UK Olympic and Paralympic sport context, before then moving to consider some key approaches and skills that can benefit a PD.
