Scottish Volleyball is thrilled to announce a new partnership with University of the West of Scotland (UWS) that will bring sports psychology expertise to national team athletes, both indoor and beach.
This collaboration, coordinated by UWS, will involve sports psychology students who will provide tailored mental performance support, helping athletes enhance their development and gain a competitive edge on the international stage.
This initiative builds on previous successful support provided to Scottish Volleyball’s U20 men’s and women’s teams.
Ally Jack, High Performance Coach and Coaching Manager at Scottish Volleyball, commented, “We are delighted to formalise our partnership with UWS. Previous support offered to our U20 men and women was hugely successful, and we look forward to offering more bespoke support to national team athletes.”
Dr Hayley McEwan, Senior Lecturer and Placement Coordinator at UWS, echoed this excitement: “We are looking forward to our partnership providing opportunities for trainee sport psychologists, and our undergraduate students to gain further experience in the field and support the development and performance of international athletes.
“This partnership not only enriches students’ learning but also provides them with hands-on experience that is invaluable in their careers.”
Scottish Volleyball’s CEO, Margaret Ann Fleming, emphasised the alignment of values between the two organisations: “The formalising of this partnership places two forward-thinking organisations together, promoting excellence – one of Scottish Volleyball’s core values.
“Developing the performance level of our athletes, both beach and indoor, is a key aspect of our strategic plan, *We Are Volleyball*. We would like to thank Hayley and UWS for their enthusiasm in bringing this partnership to fruition.”
The first phase of the partnership will involve a selection process, with successful candidates being identified to work with the athletes. They will begin by discussing objectives with High Performance Coach, Ally Jack, exploring potential opportunities, and familiarising themselves with the athletes and training environment.
Scottish Volleyball and UWS are excited for this partnership’s potential to enhance athlete performance and contribute to the ongoing development of sports psychology in Scotland.