Perceptions concerning successful development of Finnish players involved in the National Football League (NFL)

2017

Development of American Football in Finland is largely influenced by its licensed participants and Finland's American Football Union (Suomen Amerikkalaisen Jalkapallon Liitto, SAJL). To increase competitive excellence and the level of competition at national and international levels requires certain psychological skills in supportive environments, which later have to be turned into opportunities. Multiple large-scale studies (Bloom, 1985; Csikszentmihalyi, Rathunde, Whalen, & Wong, 1993) on talent development in a vast number of areas (art, music, sport, science), show that helping individuals enhance competence is not just hand picking talented people and introducing financial contribution…