Achieving from deprivation in sports: a scoping review on talent identification and development in sport in low socioeconomic context

A scoping review was undertaken to map the existing literature on talent identification and development (TID) in deprived contexts. Specifically, it examined barriers, facilitators, practice/policy recommendations, and the extent to which studies focused on Talent identification (TI), Talent development (TD), or the broader TID process. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a search of six databases on 14th April 2025 yielded 1,607 articles, with 21 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. A deductive thematic synthesis revealed that barriers varied across contexts; however, financial constraints were the primary barrier, limiting access to coaching, facilities and competition. Deprivation had mixed psychosocial outcomes: adversity fostered resilience and built characteristics beneficial for elite performance in some, while others struggled adapting to new environments. Supportive relationships with coaches and staff emerged as a key facilitator. Most studies focused on TD and TID, with only one examining TI. These findings highlight the importance of investing in people within sporting systems. Future research could investigate how deprivation influences TI and explore barriers and enabling factors in understudied regions to build a comprehensive, contextually grounded understanding of TID in deprived contexts.