In this week’s post, we turn our focus to competence.
In the first article of this series, we introduced the 5 Cs of Positive Youth Sport and Athletic Development: Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Creativity. Inspired by the work of Professor Jean Côté and informed by our collective knowledge and experiences at MGGS, these five pillars guide how we design and deliver meaningful and lasting experiences in sport and athletic development.
This week, we explore Competence, a cornerstone of personal development and the foundation for confident movement and lifelong engagement in sport. Competence goes beyond performing skills; it includes a young person’s sense of efficacy and belief in their ability to learn and grow.
This isn’t about talent identification, early specialisation or elite performance. Competence is built over time through purposeful practice and diverse experiences that develop a wide base of skills and capabilities. The key is finding that optimal zone of challenge where students are stretched just enough to grow, while supported enough to feel capable and confident along the way.
At MGGS, our training environments are deliberately designed to include “desirable difficulties” – challenges that push students outside their comfort zones and foster real learning. As Trevor Ragan of The Learner Lab puts it: “Struggle is the price of admission if we want to grow.”
Whether it’s in the pool, on the court, in the fitness hub, or on the river, development is rarely linear. It can feel messy, frustrating and even uncomfortable, but it’s through these moments that progress takes root. Growth comes through effort, and competence is built step by step. When our coaches complement this process with targeted feedback, celebration of progress, and a shared vision for success…that’s when the magic happens.
When competence is nurtured in this holistic and developmentally appropriate way, students are more likely to stay engaged, persist through challenges, and enjoy the lifelong benefits of an active lifestyle.
Because when students feel capable in their bodies, they feel confident in themselves and the world around them and that’s worth investing in.
Sally Bailey
Executive Director, Artemis Programs; Strength and Conditioning Coach