David McHugh: Counties should employ full-time sports psychologists

A leading sports psychologist says that for inter-county GAA teams to get maximum benefit from the discipline, county boards could soon consider employing their own full-time practitioners.

Dr David McHugh states that the biggest return an inter-county GAA team can get from investment in sports psychology support is having a programme embedded at development squad level with a following-through to senior squads.

Dr McHugh, Director of the MSc in Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology programme at Setanta College, says he has noticed a big demand for sports psychologists at development squad level in recent years.

He thinks this is the best juncture to introduce younger players to the discipline.

"I think where there is a growing demand is the need for sports psychology support for the development squads in each county," he says.

"Not every player in the squad will go on to play senior inter-county.

"However, these squads provide an opportunity for players to develop psychological skills.

"I have seen and delivered sports psychology programmes with development squads, and this is the best time to introduce players to sports psychology.

"If they can develop the skills at this age group it will help them in life and in sport with their club or county. The key is for it to be a progressive programme throughout their time in the development squad, with a clear plan that is integrated with the coaches."

McHugh also feels that county boards could soon consider employing their own psychologists.

"The set-ups that make real gains with sports psychology are the ones where the sport psychologist is at every training session and match," he says.

"They are fully integrated and can support players in training and management in terms of integrating