Change is part of every athlete’s journey. Whether it’s moving up an age group, shifting clubs, making a representative team, or not, transitions can bring excitement, uncertainty, pride, and grief all at once. In sport, we often talk about performance transitions, like the technical, physical, and tactical adjustments, but rarely about the emotional and identity shifts that come with change. When the jersey, team, or title changes, the question quietly emerges:  “Who am I no

Change can be exciting, but it can also be uncomfortable. Whether you’re moving up an age group, changing teams, or facing a big life transition like leaving school or starting university, stepping into the unknown can bring up uncertainty, stress, and even fear. As a sport psychologist, I often see athletes who say, “I know I should be excited, but I just feel anxious.”  That’s completely normal. Change requires us to rewire our routines, adjust our sense of control, and fin

When an athlete gets injured, it doesn’t just affect their body, it impacts their whole sense of self. Training routines stop, goals get put on hold, and the structure that once gave their life meaning suddenly changes. For those closest to them — partners, friends, and teammates — it can be hard to know what to say or do. You might want to fix it, cheer them up, or keep things “normal,” but recovery is rarely a straight line. Sometimes, the best support is steady, quiet, and

More Than a Physical Setback  In sport, injuries are almost inevitable. Whether it’s a rolled ankle, torn ligament, or stress fracture, most athletes know what it feels like to be sidelined. But while the focus often turns immediately to scans, surgeries, and rehab schedules, what’s often overlooked is the psychological recovery  that needs to happen too. Injury doesn’t just affect the body, it challenges identity, motivation, confidence, and connection. Understanding the psy

In Australia today, children and young people routinely live in two overlapping worlds: the physical and the digital. Whether they are gaming on Roblox, chatting with AI companions, exploring “creator modes,” or simply socialising via apps, the internet amplifies both opportunity and  risk. As a child / sport psychologist, and partner to educators, coaches, and parents, I believe we must bolster safeguards—not just rules—so our young people can thrive more safely. Below I rev

In sport, we talk a lot about performance, resilience, and mindset. But for many neurodivergent athletes, there’s an invisible extra layer: masking . Masking means trying to “pass” as neurotypical by hiding traits or behaviours that feel different. It might look like forcing eye contact, copying teammates’ social cues, or suppressing natural stimming. While masking can sometimes help athletes “fit in,” it often comes at a heavy cost — burnout, exhaustion, and disconnection fr

For coaches, parents, and allied health professionals, understanding the developing brain is crucial for setting realistic expectations, supporting wellbeing, and creating environments where young athletes can thrive. This blog explores the differences between children and teens across cognitive, emotional, and physical domains, and highlights how neurodiversity and cultural context shape these experiences. By tailoring our approach, we can ensure sport remains both a perform

Sport can bring out the best in kids and teens - confidence, friendships, growth, and the thrill of competition. But it can also bring big nerves and pressure. As a parent or coach, it can be tricky to know: are these just normal performance nerves, or is this something more serious, like anxiety that’s getting in the way of wellbeing? This blog unpacks the difference, offers practical ways to support young athletes, and explores how we can reduce stigma around anxiety in spo

For many parents, hearing your child say “I don’t want to do this anymore”  after years of training, early mornings, and big sacrifices can feel like a shock. Is it just a bad week? Is it burnout? Or is it truly time to step away? Supporting young athletes through these big decisions is tricky especially during adolescence, when identity, social life, school stress, and sport commitments collide. The good news is that navigating this moment well can actually help your child b

Why It Matters Sport is often described as the “great equaliser,” but the truth is that standard coaching environments are designed with neurotypical athletes in mind. For neurodivergent athletes  (those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or other cognitive differences) the structures, expectations, and sensory demands of sport can become hidden barriers. Coaches and organisations increasingly recognise that inclusion isn’t just about access to the field, it's about crea

Game day can feel like chaos at the best of times—uniforms to remember, timings to follow, instructions to process, teammates buzzing with energy, and the pressure of performance looming. For neurodivergent athletes, this chaos often collides with something less visible but hugely influential: executive functioning . Executive functioning refers to the mental skills that help us plan, organise, remember, shift focus, manage emotions, and control impulses. When these skills do

When you hear the word neurodiversity , what comes to mind? For many, it’s still framed around “disorders” or “deficits” with diagnoses of ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, learning difficulties. But neurodiversity isn’t about being broken or needing to be fixed. It’s about recognising that human brains naturally vary, and that difference is not only normal but can also be a huge strength. In sport, where focus, energy, creativity, and resilience are essential, neurodivergent athletes

In sport, identity is often distilled into performance: fast or slow, starter or bench, winning or losing. Yet behind every athlete is a...

Australia is home to one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. Over 30% of Australians were born overseas, and more...

Seeking support from a psychologist is a brave and meaningful step toward better mental health and wellbeing. But therapy is not a...

In the world of sport, performance is often tied to physical metrics: speed, strength, endurance. But behind every sprint and serve is a...

In elite and youth sport, it’s normal for performance to fluctuate—energy levels dip, motivation ebbs and flows, and sometimes an athlete...

From grassroots footy fields to Olympic stadiums, the phrase “push through the pain”  is echoed like a mantra. Grit. Sacrifice. No...

In elite sport, your identity can become tightly woven into your performance, routine, and role. Who you are gets defined by what you...

When you think of elite athletes, you probably picture grit, determination, early mornings, long hours of training, and an unshakeable...