Secondary school pupils in elite sports training programmes are at risk of burnout and walking away from college with little else than good memories, a sports academic says.
Radio New Zealand this morning reported concerns expressed by the Secondary Principals Associations and the PPTA's Principals' Council about the focus placed on sports at some schools.
They worry about schools scouting intermediates and overseas for talent.
University of Otago professor of sport and exercise psychology Ken Hodge said he held concerns about the concentration on sports at some schools because there was no evidence to show specialisation led to elite performance, a level only a small number of athletes reached anyway.
Those who didn't and focused on sport at school could leave with nothing apart from "precious memories".
