Richard Charles Thelwell

This chapter outlines outline the purpose, aims and requirements of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR). The history and location of the qualification within the association are first noted. Details of the qualifications and entry requirements for this pathway, the enrolment process, the qualification journey, a summary of the key competencies which trainees are presented and assessment methods for such competencies are provided. A working illustration of the scheme reflections from a trainee who has taken this pathway including reviewer feedback and activities that then followed are offered. The SEPAR graduate supervisor offers a corresponding insight into their experience of undertaking the qualification and affords tips and guidance for future trainees seeking to join this independent pathway to Health and Care Professions Council Registration.

In this study, we provide a novel account of the selection and development of a staff team for the Swedish national men’s football team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A total of 37 interviews took place at six time points over a 21-month period to track the values-based steps taken by the national Head Coach to build his support team. The sample was employed in a variety of roles including Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, Goalkeeping Coach, Mentor to the Head Coach, Performance Analyst, Sports Psychologist, three Scouts, and a Team Manager. The data are presented in a temporal manner and organized according to three core values which were espoused by and later adopted as a value system by the support team: candor, humility, community. The data provide novel insight into the recruitment, formation, and development of the support team underpinned by a value system promoted by the Head Coach using candor, humility, and community. The presentation of longitudinal reflections from the Head Coach and members of the staff team during their build-up to, and excellent performance at the World Cup finals offer a significant contribution to knowledge regarding how a values-led approach was experienced in elite sport. The findings offer salient implications for research and practice. Lay summary: This is a case study of the selection, formation, and development of a support team for the Swedish national football team over 21 months before the men’s 2018 FIFA World Cup. We explored the values-led leadership approach of the Head Coach across this period, presenting data from interviews over time-related to the impact of this values-led approach on the “team behind the team” in the build-up to and during the World Cup.

Sport psychology professionals (SPPs) have recently noted the importance of engaging in self-care as means to an effective, ethical, and long-lasting career. Nevertheless, there currently exists no clear description of what self-care means to SPPs, the strategies they use, or how they experience these. As such, we sought consensual agreement from a panel of experts regarding a definition of self-care and perceived associated outcomes, as well as key self-care strategies, and any obstacles to enacting these experienced by SPPs. A multinational panel of twenty-three SPPs (M = 13_{years experience}, SD = 6.5) were invited to participate in a 3-round Delphi study. In round one, participants were invited to outline their personal definition of self-care. Following a content analysis of these answers, we developed a working definition of self-care and in subsequent rounds invited the panelists to rate the clarity, representativeness, importance, and easiness of adherence to this as an SPP. Furthermore, we sought consensus on the possible outcomes of self-care, such as enjoyment of life, positive professional quality of life, developing effective and ethical practice. Finally, participants were offered the opportunity to rate the frequency of challenges faced and strategies used to overcome them, as well as about the usefulness of the strategies and the level of challenge posed by each barrier. The implications for individuals and professional bodies are discussed in relation to professional development and training, wellbeing, and ethical and effective practice. Lay Summary: Sport psychology professionals’ (SPPs) self-care is key to an effective, ethical, and long-lasting career. In this study, a multinational group of SPPs consensually developed a working definition of self-care, identified its possible outcomes, and agreed upon the potential challenges hindering it, as well as the strategies to foster its.

High-performance coaches (HPCs) operate in complex and unpredictable environments wherein sustainable performance and well-being are regularly challenged. The purpose of this study was to develop, through an iterative process of data collection, evaluation and action, a brief SMS-based mindful self-reflection intervention to support sustainable high-performance coaching. We present this work through the form of a process evaluation. After an initial pilot intervention, three subsequent phases of development took place with 18 HPCs from athletics and figure skating. In each phase, HPCs completed a daily or weekly brief mindful self-reflection SMS-intervention for 8 weeks prior to taking part in a focus group interview and 6-month or 12-month follow-up. The results of the process evaluation demonstrate exceptionally high fidelity, reach and perceived value of the intervention for the HPCs. The HPCs also perceived the intervention to influence key mechanisms for a sustainable profession such as greater engagement in their well-being (e.g., self-awareness, helpful perspective on vulnerability and self-compassion). Moreover, lasting behavior changes associated with sustainability were reported at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. This process evaluation reflects a rigorously developed and novel procedure for the delivery of a brief mindful self-reflection intervention and appears easy to use by HPCs in their demanding roles. Lay Summary: We present a process evaluation of a mindful self-reflection intervention developed to foster sustainable high-performance coaching. Over four development phases we refine the SMS-based intervention and report exceptionally high fidelity, reach and perceived value among the participants. At 6- and 12-month follow-ups participants reported lasting behavior changes associated with sustainability.

Given the scarcity of psychological research examining female participation in boxing, the present study sought to provide a bottom-up perspective of female amateur boxers’ experiences of, first, the challenges of competing as a female amateur boxer, and second, the strategies employed to overcome these challenges. Additionally, this study aimed to provide specific policy recommendations to facilitate developmental opportunities for female boxers. In order to achieve these aims, phenomenological interviews were conducted with eight elite British female amateur boxers examining the early, middle and later years of their boxing careers. Following an inductive content analysis, the findings revealed that the boxers experienced similar challenges and employed various strategies to deal with these barriers. Furthermore, explicit policy recommendations have been provided, such as the provision of a women’s boxing programme at the elite level and an increase in media promotion of women’s boxing, which may help governing bodies to support their female amateur boxers. Future research examining the perceptions of those who support the boxers (i.e., coaches, parents and sport science/medicine support practitioners) would provide a more holistic evaluation of female boxers’ lived experiences and thus better help in articulating how best to support female athletes throughout their boxing careers.