Coaches' adoption and implementation of the South African long-term athlete development model in cricket.

Background: Although Cricket South Africa has implemented the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, there is limited information available about the adoption and implementation of its principles among cricket coaches. Objectives: This study aimed to gain a better understanding of how South African cricket coaches adopt and implement the LTAD model. Methods: This study used a quantitative design approach. The sample comprised 86 cricket coaches from nine provinces in South Africa. Coaches responded to questions on a 5-point Likert scale. Data are reported as the mean ± standard deviation. Results: Overall, coaches reported that the LTAD model helped them to improve their players' performance (4.33±0.90), contributed to their players' development (4.31±0.86), and could be adapted to their coaching needs (4.19±0.87). Also, the LTAD could be effective for the benefit of their players (4.16±0.93) and had agreeable theoretical principles (4.02±0.92). Coaches indicated that the barriers to adopting the LTAD model were the need to educate new coaches and parents (4.33±0.84) and the need to better understand the model's general principles, associated science, and coaching (4.29±0.78). Other barriers included the model's incompatibility with an emphasis on results and competition (3.79±1.08), as well as the players' parents' desire to win at all costs (3.58±1.26). Conclusion: These results have implications that can be used to provide recommendations which may help Cricket South Africa promote the LTAD model in the South African context.