Mental Skills

Mental Skills Trainning Programme

Find out more about mental skills

In Scotland in recent years there has been significant progression in providing athletes with more advanced training in the physical, technical and tactical aspects of their sport. However, there is still a serious lack of training in mental development and mental skills training. Unfortunately, the development of “mental toughness” is often left to mature on its own.

The Foundation is working in partnership with the SRU to develop a Mental Skills Training (MST) Programme for young rugby players. By working with today’s talented youth squads the programme will have time to impact and build the mental strength of future national players.

The three year project will be piloted with Edinburgh area Pathway Programme (the SRU programme to identify and develop potential national rugby players at under 15 and under 16 levels). Internationally respected, sports psychologist Professor Joan Duda will become part of, and complement, the coaching staff. The programme will work with approximately one hundred 14-16 year olds. They will receive 25-20 hours of MST throughout the rugby season. The MST training will focus on goal setting, imagery, confidence, motivation, anxiety and relaxation, and negative thought stopping.

The aim is to prove the benefits of a mental skills training programme within the existing coaching structure and to create a winning Scottish side. The future aim would be to roll the programme out nationally to reach all young rugby players ensuring that a mental toughness and winning mentality is created in Scottish rugby.