Oracle of Delphi
Arnold
Paladin
Shan Jayaweera
KC Hill
Cibbuano
Craig Hill“Sports Shrinks” need to do more
November 16th 2006 21:58
The sad and untimely departure of Marcus Trescothick from England’s Ashes tour this week is a timely reminder that although we all too often place our sports stars on a pedestal they are mere mortals like ourselves.
Stress related illnesses are much harder to treat and certainly much harder to understand for victims and teammates than a strained knee or a dislocated shoulder. For years sporting teams have had ample support for physical ailments with the names of physiotherapists like Errol Alcott rolling off the tongue of many a cricketing aficionado.
Recently teams have started to engage the mental aspect of the game as an important part of building a formidable support staff. At a glance it appears the role of these members of the support staff is to provide help with winning mentality, mental preparation for a game, planning to take advantage of opposition weaknesses and overcoming performance related self-doubt during prolonged periods of form loss.
Geoff Boycott only this week highlighted the effect that constant touring and media commitments can have on players. The England team had 4 days at home after returning from the Champions Trophy before returning to the departure lounge to travel to Australia. This type of stress on players is nothing new. Since the addition of the one day game the amount of cricket played has been steadily increasing and with it the amount of time spent away from home.
Yet it is only in recent times where the personal aspects of such a hectic touring schedule have come into the public spotlight. Starting with Michael Slater’s sometimes public battle with mental and physical illness, extending to include Steve Harmison’s constant homesickness when touring and now the ill-fated Marcus Trescothick’s departure from the Ashes tour because of depression.
Perhaps the sports psychologists associated with touring parties need to have their job descriptions included to take in the mental well being of players off the pitch and well as on it.
Noone is asking for players mothers to be on tour with them. However, a multifunctional psychologist who can help with the initial signs of mental illness and help prepare the victims and their teammates (Duncan Fletcher spoke of the umcomfortable nature of the situation in the dressing room with Trescothick) would be a welcome addition to support staff roles and responsibilities.
Stress related illnesses are much harder to treat and certainly much harder to understand for victims and teammates than a strained knee or a dislocated shoulder. For years sporting teams have had ample support for physical ailments with the names of physiotherapists like Errol Alcott rolling off the tongue of many a cricketing aficionado.
Recently teams have started to engage the mental aspect of the game as an important part of building a formidable support staff. At a glance it appears the role of these members of the support staff is to provide help with winning mentality, mental preparation for a game, planning to take advantage of opposition weaknesses and overcoming performance related self-doubt during prolonged periods of form loss.
Geoff Boycott only this week highlighted the effect that constant touring and media commitments can have on players. The England team had 4 days at home after returning from the Champions Trophy before returning to the departure lounge to travel to Australia. This type of stress on players is nothing new. Since the addition of the one day game the amount of cricket played has been steadily increasing and with it the amount of time spent away from home.
Yet it is only in recent times where the personal aspects of such a hectic touring schedule have come into the public spotlight. Starting with Michael Slater’s sometimes public battle with mental and physical illness, extending to include Steve Harmison’s constant homesickness when touring and now the ill-fated Marcus Trescothick’s departure from the Ashes tour because of depression.
Perhaps the sports psychologists associated with touring parties need to have their job descriptions included to take in the mental well being of players off the pitch and well as on it.
Noone is asking for players mothers to be on tour with them. However, a multifunctional psychologist who can help with the initial signs of mental illness and help prepare the victims and their teammates (Duncan Fletcher spoke of the umcomfortable nature of the situation in the dressing room with Trescothick) would be a welcome addition to support staff roles and responsibilities.
| 77 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Content on this site is written and mediated by Craig Hill
Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
