Canadian Positive Psychology Conference 2014 Successfully Infusing Positive Psychology into School Sporting Programs.

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1 Canadian Positive Psychology Conference 2014 Successfully Infusing Positive Psychology into School Sporting Programs Matthew Scholes,

2 What is Positive psychology? Positive Psychology is the scientific study of optimal human functioning that aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to flourish (Boniwell, 2006) ie Positive Psychology focuses on growing peoples strengths.

3 Why do we need Positive Psychology at school? Positive Psychology can help wire the brains of your students for resilience and optimism

4 Why should we worry about the resilience & wellbeing of our students? By building the resilience, optimism and confidence of your students you not only improve their performance you will also help them cope with life's pressures better. 26% of Australian year olds experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder & 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime (Canadian Mental Health Association). 26.2% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) ).

5 Why is sport an effective pathway for teaching resilience and optimism in our students? Because we have so many opportunities to frame the students thinking around failure.

6 How do we bring in Positive Psychology into our school sporting program? Using Positive Sports Coaching

7 What is Positive Sports Coaching? Positive Sports Coaching is a strengths based approach built around the science of positive psychology. Three main focus for Positive Sports Coaching program 1. Increased focus on Positives to overcome negativity bias 2. Great emphasis on Strengths and Strength development 3. Building Optimistic mindsets

8 Examples of organisations that are using Positive Sports Coaching International, Federal and State Bodies Professional Sporting Organisations and Clubs Corporates and Schools

9 Optimism and Sport SUCCESS = TALENT + DESIRE THIRD ELEMENT OPTIMISM

10 Optimism A number of studies have been conducted linking mindset to sporting performance. (Seligman et al Berkley Swimming study 1990, Peterson et al 1995) Athletes with an Optimistic mindset will generally explain their negative performances as External Unstable Specific Athletes with a Pessimistic mindset will generally explain their negative performances as Internal Stable Global

11 Positive Sports Coaching Wheel

12 Positive Athlete Interaction Diamond

13 How do we create a Positive School Sports Program?

14 What is the process for introducing the Positive Sports Coaching approach?? Two approaches have been used in schools. 1) INSIDE OUT MODEL 2) OUTSIDE IN MODEL

15 INSIDE OUT APPROACH PARENTS ALL STUDENTS ALL COACHES KEY TEAMS Players & Coaches

16 OUTSIDE IN APPROACH ALL Staff Parents Coaches Students

17 CASE STUDY St Peter s College, Adelaide, Australia YEAR GROUPS TRAINED st Football Team 4 coaches, 25 players 1 st Soccer Team 3 coaches, 15 players 2012 Coaches across 7 sports 27 coaches Student sports leaders Years students All students years students Parents 150+ parents

2011 Pilot Study athletes Presented at the Australian Psychological Society College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists National

18 2011 Pilot Study athletes Presented at the Australian Psychological Society College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists National Conference, Melbourne Waters, Scholes, White Athlete s positive emotions improved considerably, 37 to 41.7, on a 50 point scale (increase of 9.4%).

Pilot Study : Athletes quotes Presented at the

and Developmental Psychologists National Conference,

- Waters, Scholes, White Has helped me to turn my

training and playing hard ATHLETE The coaches were more

19 Pilot Study : Athletes quotes Presented at the Australian Psychological Society College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists National Conference, Melbourne Waters, Scholes, White Has helped me to turn my nerves into excitement I am more enthusiastic about training and playing hard ATHLETE The coaches were more positive with us after being trained Made me less nervous and scared before Intercols, now feel excited and keen

2012 Pilot Study coaches Presented at the 2013 3 rd World congress of Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

20 2012 Pilot Study coaches Presented at the rd World congress of Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Scholes, Waters, Pitt T-test analyses revealed significant increases in positive affect and coaching confidence.

Pilot Study : Coaches Presented at the 2013 3 rd World congress of

Scholes, Waters, Pitt Encouraged me to look more closely at my

and manage my team COACH Built my self esteem.

21 Pilot Study : Coaches Presented at the rd World congress of Positive Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Scholes, Waters, Pitt Encouraged me to look more closely at my coaching Gave me skills to feel more confident in the way I coach and manage my team COACH Built my self esteem. Feel more confident as a coach Focusing on the positives made me realise the opportunities for learning I was missing

22 2013 School Team Performance SPORT Football LOST LOST LOST WON Soccer LOST LOST LOST WON Badminton WON WON WON WON Rugby LOST WON WON WON Table tennis WON WON WON WON Tennis LOST LOST WON LOST Basketball LOST LOST WON WON Cricket WON LOST LOST WON Hockey LOST LOST LOST LOST

23 HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR STUDENTS? Look at what went well first Know their strengths Look for things they do well Encourage and show gratitude Give specific and real feedback Process praise Identify and celebrate achievements Ask them the 5 best things they did that day/week Consistently use the PSC Wheel for feedback Create a Positive Organisation

Creating a Positive Sports Organisation. Matthew Scholes, Positive Sports Coaching Associate Professor Lea Waters, University of Melbourne

Creating a Positive Sports Organisation Matthew Scholes, Positive Sports Coaching Associate Professor Lea Waters, University of Melbourne What is Positive Sports Coaching? Positive Sports Coaching is a