Time: 11:20 – 12:00
Session: Keynote

Coping Effectiveness Training for Athletes

Speaker Profiles

Professor Adam Nicholls is Professor of Psychology at the University of Hull, with over 22 years of experience in sport psychology research, teaching, and academic leadership. His work focuses on the psychological processes underpinning performance, with particular expertise in stress, coping, emotions, and psychosocial influences on behaviour, including doping in sport.

He has contributed extensively to high-impact research publications, including systematic reviews and empirical studies examining psychological factors related to athletic performance. His research has been supported through collaborations with major international organisations such as the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the European Commission, reflecting the applied relevance and impact of his work within sport and beyond.

Overview

This keynote explores how coaches and sport psychologists can enhance athletes’ ability to cope effectively with stress in performance environments. The session will introduce Coping Effectiveness Training (CET), with a focus on the goodness-of-fit theory that underpins this approach. Drawing on both research and applied work within English Premier League academy settings, the talk will provide practical insight into how CET can be implemented to support performance under pressure.