In early 2015, I was awarded an Endeavour Executive Fellowship from the Government of Australia, and I am currently conducting professional development in applied sport psychology for three months in Australia, collaborating with, and learning from some of the best sport psych’s in the world. Then, I’ll take home ‘best practices’ in the integration of research, theory, and applied areas of sport psychology. It is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.
I arrived in Melbourne, Australia on June 3. After settling in to my new home, meeting with my Fellowship supervisor, and figuring out the lay of the land, I traveled to Canberra, the national capital, in mid-June and to the Australian Institute of Sport to discuss sport psychology and high-performance with the Sport Science support teams. In late June/early July, I’m meeting with key individuals in the field of sport psychology, both in private practice and with those working specifically with professional teams, athletes, and player associations. The focus is on developing relationships and potential future collaboration.
In July, I’ll spend two weeks in New Zealand working with the Wellington Rugby Union and Tribe Team Training International where I will deliver performance psychology seminars and workshops. In August, I will learn from sport psychology professors at Victoria University in Melbourne to better understand how they integrate applied concepts and experiences in sport psychology courses.
In early September, I will return to Canada with all of my learnings, experiences, and memories, and begin to apply and implement these into my private practice (performance psychology and counselling), my teaching at Western, and into my life.
Dr. Natascha Wesch is a Mental Performance Consultant in private practice who works with athletes, coaches, and teams of all levels and sport backgrounds. To learn more and to contact her, visit her website: www.elitemindperformance.com
Story submitted by: Dr. Natascha Wesch, PhD
