Talent hotspots and the role of community density in youth soccer: The unique case of Athletic Club de Bilbao situated in the Basque Country, Spain

Hernández-Simal, Lander and Larruskain, Jon and Kelly, Adam L. and Aurrekoetxea-Casaus, Maite (2025) Talent hotspots and the role of community density in youth soccer: The unique case of Athletic Club de Bilbao situated in the Basque Country, Spain. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. ISSN 1747-9541

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Abstract

Birthplace and the location of residence can impact young players’ opportunities to engage in youth soccer developmental activities, varying considerably based on contextual influences. This study aimed to identify the ‘talent hotspots’ contributing the most players to the selection phases of Athletic Club de Bilbao—a unique professional soccer club in the Basque Country, Spain. To achieve this, we analyzed whether contextual variables—such as population density, proximity to the academy, family income, and the number of clubs within players’ municipalities—significantly influenced player selection. Using logistic regression on data from 1411 male players (aged 9 to 35), we identified Bizkaia, the largest province in the Basque Country, as a statistically significant talent hotspot (p < 0.05). The Odds Ratio revealed that regions with an average population density between 150 and 650 male inhabitants aged 0–19 per km² were especially relevant during the selection process, showing statistically significant results in multiple incorporation stages. The findings suggest that scouting efforts should prioritize these densely populated areas, while also ensuring equitable access to organized youth soccer across all regions. Finally, the study highlights the role of the concept of ‘sporting development’ defined as the conditions and environments in which players develop their skills—as a critical variable in the talent selection process.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1177/17479541251344589
Dates:	Date Event 19 June 2025 Accepted 19 June 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Association football, birthplace, location of sporting development, population density
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-02 - sport and exercise sciences > CAH03-02-01 - sport and exercise sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Life Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2025 08:13
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2025 08:13
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16544

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