About this episode

Ciaran Deely and Ross Bennett discuss Talent Identification in the Youth Development Phase, focusing on assessing and developing young players in academy environments.

🎙️ The Locker Room Podcast – Coaching Series 🎧 Episode Title: Talent ID in the Youth Development Phase (YDP) Host: Ciaran Deely (DSS Coaching)Guest: Ross Bennett (Head of Integrated Performance at QPR FC) In this episode, Ciaran is joined by Ross Bennett for a practical discussion around Talent Identification in the Youth Development Phase (YDP) and what really goes into identifying, assessing, and developing young players within academy environments. Drawing on experiences from both the boys’ and girls’ pathways, the conversation explores how coaches assess not just performance now — but long-term potential. 📌 Topics include:• 🔍 Recruitment, scouting, and academy trial processes• 🧠 Using the FA 4-corner model to assess players• 📈 Current performance vs future potential• 📏 Relative age effect, maturation, and late developers• 💎 The “rough diamond”, maverick, and project player• ⚽ Differences between boys’ and girls’ academy pathways 🎧 Listen here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00XRjE5PtPYX66yTVaPiL2?si=d7dfd3b266cb45d1&nd=1&dlsi=5d0ae5e2c7ca40d5Apple: http://buff.ly/3mgU6IUYouTube: http://buff.ly/36sGDJ2 ----------------- 🎓 The Locker Room Podcast is…

People in this episode

Host: Ciaran Deely

Guest: Ross Bennett

Topics covered

• Talent Identification
• Youth Development Phase
• Coaching
• Player Assessment
• Academy Pathways
• Recruitment
• Scouting

Keywords

• Talent ID
• Youth Development
• Coaching
• Player Assessment
• Academy
• Scouting
• FA 4-corner model

Sponsors

DSS Coaching

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: QPR FC

More episodes of The Locker Room Podcast - from DSS Coaching

• 'Video Analysis for Coaches – From Match Prep to Player Development' - with Ciaran Deely & Ross Bennett · March 25, 2026 · 41 min
• 'How to be a great Assistant Coach!' - with Ciaran Deely & Ross Bennett · March 12, 2026 · 43 min
• What should a new Manager & Head Coach focus on? - with Ross Bennett MSc · February 26, 2026 · 11 min
• Coaching at Foundation & Youth Development Phases · December 10, 2025 · 42 min
• Coaching Roundtable with John Divilly, Aidan O'Rourke, Shane Keegan, & Steven Poacher · December 2, 2025 · 31 min
• Managers, Head Coaches, Specialists & Selectors - What's the Story? · November 18, 2025 · 45 min

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