SSPEL Newsletter: Research and Scholarly Activities

Melissa Coyle writes...

I was contacted by Dr Sally Akehurst, whom I have met previously at a BASES psychology workshop, to deliver a lecture on my applied consultancy experiences at the University of Aberystwyth. This was presented to all the BSc Sport Science students and staff within the department of Sport and Exercise Science (approximately 150).

The lecture considered the processes that are involved when working as an applied sport psychologist within professional football clubs. Particular emphasis was given to working with the youth team apprentices.

The students were informed of the key considerations into gaining access into the respective championship and league two clubs. Also the first impressions from the coaches, managers, and players were discussed, as well as the barriers that I faced within the world of professional football, and the strategies I used to overcome them.

I also evidenced my work by providing excerpts from interviews with key players I had worked with, and also the mangers thoughts as I left the club and moved down to the sunny southwest.

It was interesting to visit another institution and also meet the staff, some I knew from my undergraduate degree many years ago. They looked after me well and I hope to repay the compliment in the near future with visiting lecturers to Marjon.

NB There is now a hard copy of the Aberystwyth Newsletter giving a review of Melissa's efforts. It is available from me (dharris@marjon.ac.uk) on request