While there are many pathways for participants to take to achieve their potential, four things are important:

• Participants are supported along their journey to find appropriate sport & physical activity in which they have the opportunity to achieve their potential.
• There are multiple pathways for participants to achieve success including changing focus then returning later to a sport.
• Sports ensure that Long-Term Development pathways align from the early stages through to the Podium Pathway.
• Regardless of the pathway, or at what stage they leave the competitive stream, all participants end up in the Active for Life stage, either: (a) by being Competitive for Life, or (b) by taking part, to be Fit for Life, or (c) have a good experience so they want to give back as sport and physical activity leaders.

Balanced development in sport & physical activity means paying attention to more than just skills & physical abilities. Development across a range of domains including physical, technical, tactical, psychological, & life skills must be addressed for individuals’ personal advancement throughout all stages of the LTD framework.