Targeting and developing psychosocial skills in youth academy football players

This project seeks to understand the processes involved in creating systems for supporting the psychosocial development of youth football players within a professional academy environment.

The importance of youth football players possessing psychosocial skills is widely supported (Gledhill, Harwood, & Forsdyke, 2017). However, there are rare examples of academies promoting the teaching of these skills with the same level of attention and consideration afforded to the development of technical, tactical, or physical skills, with psychosocial training often indirectly practiced (Larsen, Alfermann, & Christensen, 2012).

Inspired by Harwood and Anderson’s (2015) 5 Cs framework for coach planning and MacNamara, Button, and Collins’ (2010) model of psychological characteristics, this project represents a novel attempt at embedding tangible psychosocial player development activities within the everyday practices of academy staff, and in collaboration with parents.

The project’s objectives are:

1.      Refine an existing coach and parent driven psychosocial player programme recently launched at St Mirren FC based on the findings of an ongoing empirical review.

2.      Generate and test coach and parent training and support initiatives for improving the quality of the existing programme.

3.      Extend psychosocial player development activities to a new department and staff within the academy.

The PhD candidate will acquire knowledge and skills in psychosocial development within sport and educational programme design.

There is scope within the project to negotiate within which department to extend the programme, based on the interests of the student and the needs of the academy. Options include sport science and physiotherapy provision, or talent scouting.

The student will be expected to utilise both qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as engage in applied activities for the academy that relate to the department and role(s) being targeted. The student will move fluidly between St Mirren’s academy and UWS Lanarkshire campus, alongside home study. However Paisley campus is also an option to minimise travel between locations. 

In the first instance, informal enquiries should be made by email to Dr Mark Carroll (Lead Supervisor (mark.carroll@uws.ac.uk)). Applicants should submit their application through the UWS online system, including a CV and covering letter in their application along with their degree certificates and transcripts.