Dr Mark Wilson - Exeter University

My role is to help the ice-team members develop strategies to deal with potential frustrations and ‘pressure points’ which might otherwise prevent them from achieving their goals. In working with elite sporting performers I have found that success is often determined by an athlete’s ability to manage their thoughts and emotions under extraordinary pressure. While Pen Haddow, Ann Daniels and Martin Hartley are all extremely capable individuals, my job is to help them develop strategies for working effectively together and for coping with the many pressures that are part of such a large undertaking. These pressures include those operating during the training phase (e.g., time management, physical preparation); the ‘on-ice’ phase (e.g., expectancy pressures, environmental stressors, teamwork issues and life-threatening situations!) and the ‘post ice’ phase (e.g., dealing with the media, getting re-adjusted to normal life).

To help the team members be more aware of their optimal performance mindset in various situations, I will be using Apter International's psychometric profiling based on Reversal Theory. While the group is on the ice, my role is to provide 'expert' commentary on the particular stresses they may be experiencing.

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