We sat down with newly appointed, Sky Blues Academy Trainee Sports Psychologist Adam Batstone to discuss his new role at the Club.
Adam has been with Coventry City for ten years, in a coaching capacity, until recently venturing into a new role, working on the psychology of the game and young players.
Batstone is based at the Alan Higgs Centre, working with the Sky Blues Academy youngsters and has started his work to help create a positive impact on those up and coming players.
Talking us through his role and about himself, Batstone gave an introduction into sports psychology:
How the role became available:
“The psychology role at the club is something myself and Dan Bolas (Academy Manager) have been in discussions with over a reasonable length of time and it’s something we wanted to add to the programme.
“I’ve been studying and working towards this for the last seven years and now we’re at a position where we can accommodate it and I’m in position, with the experience I have, where I can help to add it to the programme.”
How Adam developed into a Sports Psychologist…
“I did an undergraduate, which wasn’t accredited, but it allowed me to go on to a masters in sports psychology anyway.
“I then had to do a conversion course which allowed me to access an accredited pathway through the British Association Sports and Exercise Science.
“Up until this point I’ve been at the academy for the last ten years in a coaching capacity from under-9s to under-14s.
“I’ve loved it here and I wouldn’t have been here for ten years if I didn’t love it.
“There are lots of challenges that stretch you as a coach but then there’s been so many moments, such as seeing individuals perform and develop and then times your team have won.“
Why psychology is important in the game…
“It’s important in football. It’s a side of the game which has been underused so there’s definitely a space for it.
“I know the first team have psychology support and it’s an area which is starting to pick up.
“It’s important because the players might not perform well and it could be the way they’re feeling on the day or a build up of feelings they’ve had that have lead to negative performances, which might effect them technically.
“Then on the flip side, if you get someone in a good space and they’re feeling good it can effect their performances as well.”
What’s next for Adam…
“I will get around all age groups and I’ve got an opportunity where I will be working with some of the younger lads whilst also working with our youth team.
“We’ve done some workshops with the under 18s and thrown out some scenarios and it’s been a case of creating a shared understanding in the group.
“They’ve been working in a constructive manner and it’s helped to create that shared language that actually we’re in here and nothings ever personnel were here to drive ourselves to do better.”