The purpose of this study was to identify who participates in elite athlete programmes (EAPs), student athlete selection of EAPs and perceptions of physical skill improvement, enjoyment, post-school options, and programme status. Research exploring EAPs has mushroomed since the 1990s. Much of this literature focused on coach development or coach education and the identification of gifted and talented athletes. Less frequently studies investigated the perceptions of elite athletes' learning, enjoyment, physical skill improvement and post-school options in the talent development environment. A small survey from a New Zealand pilot study on student participation was used for two purposefully selected case sites. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to test for differences within and between the two case sites. Results indicated that the talent development environment exerts a small effect on student athletes' perceptions of physical skill improvement and that these influences need to be considered by EAPs interested in student athlete success.