Abstract
High-performance HP sport environments play a crucial role in developing and sustaining athletic excellence across both elite and non-elite levels. In South Africa, however, HP
systems operate within a deeply unequal landscape shaped by apartheid-era legacies, school-quintile disparities, and uneven access to facilities, coaching, and support services. As a result, HP opportunities are often concentrated in a small cluster of wellresourced schools, universities, and unions, while clubs and public schools navigate significant structural and resource constraints. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive, context-sensitive HP toolkit that promotes adaptable and inclusive strategies across diverse sports institutions, with a particular focus on feasibility under
constraint, pathway flexibility, and holistic inclusivity.
Guided by Systems Theory and a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, the research integrated qualitative and quantitative strands. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 8) with senior practitioners and focus group discussions (FGDs, n = 12 groups) involving players, coaches, and medical staff across
different organisational levels. These qualitative insights informed a Delphi study (n = 16)
over two rounds to establish consensus on key HP themes. Quantitative data from the Delphi rounds were analysed using descriptive statistics, with medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) used to summarise levels of agreement and feasibility across themes because of their robustness in capturing consensus and minimising the influence of extreme values.
Qualitative findings showed that HP was consistently defined as a continuum of “relative excellence” rather than a standard reserved only for national teams. In schools and clubs, HP was framed as mindset and disciplined structure under constraint; habits,
accountability, and identity-building compensating for limited resources. Universities and the union emphasised multidisciplinary support, structured monitoring, governance, and dual-career scaffolding. Across levels, five core practices emerged as anchors of effective HP environments: consistency in training and support, leadership development for
coaches, mentorship and role modelling, a positive organisational culture, and meaningful monitoring and feedback, alongside growing concern for mental health and duty of care...