Improving England’s mental toughness in sport

England’s football squad lacked mental toughness during this year’s world cup. So says Dr Jim Golby, who will be putting this opinion forward in a free lecture at the University of Teesside on Tuesday 17 October. Entitled ‘Getting the top six inches right’ the lecture will start at 5.00pm in the Clarendon Building, room CL1.87, first floor, School of Social Sciences & Law. It is open to the general public

Dr Golby’s talk will last for 40 minutes, followed by questions from the audience. Refreshments will be available earlier in the foyer of the School of Social Sciences & Law from 4.30pm.

The psychological factors involved in sports performance will be explored, focusing on selected sports, such as swimming, rugby league and rugby union. Dr Golby is Head of Research in Sport and Exercise in the School of Social Sciences & Law. He will refer to his, and his colleague Dr Mike Sheard’s published articles from the last six years, including research published in the USA, Europe and the UK.

Dr Golby said: “One of the reasons for this research was England’s repeated failure to perform across a range of sports at top level. When England missed those important penalties it was clear the players’ mental toughness and mental preparation was not adequate. The problem wasn’t the kicking of the football; it was what was (or was not) going on in their heads. The lecture will be of interest to all sportsmen and women and anyone with just an interest in sport. “The factors I’ll be looking at include mental toughness, attitude and self esteem from a positive psychological perspective. I’ll also be discussing whether mental toughness differs between different sporting nations, different sports or at different levels of performance. The lecture will also examine the potential role of genetics. All of these issues are part of a long-term, on-going research project.”

The lecture starts the School of Social Sciences & Law’s Twilight Research Series, which finish in May 2007.

For more information contact Dr Golby on 01642 342324 or e-mail j.golby@tees.ac.uk

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