1. PSI/NIBPS Careers Day IADT 27th February 2016
The What, How & Why of Sport, Exercise & Performance
Psychology
Olivia A Hurley, PhD
Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT), Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
Website:
@DrOliviaHurley
note Ulster player cus we are in Belfast…

2. Six Nations Winning Mindset
I pick my target at the top of the posts. I choose an imaginary target rather than a real one, as it can be distracting if I’m looking at a guy standing up and waving … at me.
Leinster Player Jonny Sextons routine..
1. Set up of the ball is the first step – making sure it’s lined up right. I’d only change one or two things about my routine during the off season usually. 2. Stand up and I take three steps back. Then take three steps to the side making sure I’m on the right angle
ANd then the concentration time phase-usually the player is still (they may move their arms for centring or glance up at the posts
3. I pick my target at the top of the posts. I choose an imaginary target rather than a real one, as it can be distracting if I’m looking at a guy standing up and waving … at me.
If you stand over a kick and say ‘don’t miss left, don’t miss left,’ you’re going to miss right, or you’re going to miss left. Whereas if I say stay tall, I know that by staying tall, that’s gonna make the kick go over. Then it’s just three steps in, I say a couple of key words to myself – which change all the time – and then strike down the line of the ball. It’s simple stuff.
If you focus on something positive, it’ll keep the negative thoughts out of your mind. If I’ve done something badly during the week, my positive thought might be to counteract what I’ve done wrong – keep my left shoulder in rather than whipping it around so I don’t miss left or keep my head still, don’t look too early and I’d change them a little bit.
Physical execution time
6. Just put your foot through it and stay positive. If I carry through my routine, I don’t mind what happens to the ball. If I don’t do my routine and I miss I get a bit angry with myself.
We know from Jackson (2003) and our own studies that routines have temporal characteristics and this is an aspect which has come under scrutiny by researchers.

3. & Performance Psychology?
What is Sport, Exercise
& Performance Psychology?
Sport and Exercise Psychology is concerned with “understanding the performance, mental processes and well-being of people involved in sport and exercise” (Moran, 2012).
Performance Psychology focuses on the psychology of human performance, in particular, professions that demand excellence in psychomotor performance (e.g., performing arts, surgery, military operations) (Martin, 2012).
This is great but see alternate

4. What do Sport Psychologists do?
Clinical Sport Psychologist
“All aspiring psychologists should recognize that those with whom you work, consult or teach are as much a source of knowledge about psychology as sport psychologists are and we should continue to learn from all of them”
(Professor Dan Gould)
See BPS going for gold website…

5. Accreditation Pathways 2015
Not specified
Undergraduate
Degree
Postgraduate Degree
Supervised
Experience
Recognised Psych. degree
Undergraduate degree in other discipline
Recognised Psych. degree
Conversion course
Relevant Programme
PSI Accred. programme
BPS Accred. programme
200 days F.T. or 2 years
2 years with CPsychol
2 years with Reg. PSI
Submit Case Study to PQAP

6. Courses on The Island of Ireland
MSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology (1 year-October intake) BPS accredited programme – Level 9 (Dr. Gavin Breslin)
MSc in Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology UL (1 year-January intake) Seeking PSI/BPS accreditation – Level 9 (Tues/Wed FT; 4mths x 3 terms;
MSc in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology WIT (2 years-October intake) Seeking some PSI recognition – Level 9 (Mondays & residential weeks;
Certificate in Sport Psychology (20 weeks: October – March; No exams - 2 CAs); QQI qualification – Level 8
(Wednesday evenings 2hours x 20 weeks;

7. Performance Psychology? Typical applied work activities
Why Sport, Exercise,
Performance Psychology?
Employability
Academia (Educational role: researching and teaching)
NGBs – via IIS etc. (Applied role: Consultancy – practical sessions)
Clinical – Counselling role (i.e., helping clients experiencing more serious issues)
Typical applied work activities
Assess clients needs and abilities
Monitoring performance and behaviour
Implementing strategies to overcome difficulties experienced
Working with/in multi-disciplinary teams
Delivering workshops
Conducting and applying research

8. Thanks for your attention!
Any Questions?