A Deputy Chef de Mission for the performance support team in Paris falls under my jurisdiction. In this role, I supervise a collective group of 21 staff members from the Sport Ireland Institute and nine personnel from NGB service providers. One of my main duties is to ensure that our team successfully delivers their specialist services.
Are you curious about how my role directly impacts the athletes’ overall performance and well-being?
Our dedicated backing team encompasses doctors, physios, nutritionists, physiologists, psychologists, performance analysts, and S&C coaches. Together, they cooperate with our athletes and their coaches to establish a thorough support system that empowers them to train efficiently, recover optimally, and bring their A-game to the Olympic stage. Primarily, my job is to not obstruct their course. Their extensive knowledge and experience are remarkable; my contribution involves offering support when required and eliminating any potential impediments to their service delivery.
Have you ever wondered how I transitioned from an international lacrosse player to a sports psychologist and what led me down this path?
My sports journey started off playing lacrosse for Scotland at the international level before I traversed into coaching. Subsequently, my interest in sports science and psychology led me to pursue my studies at the Manchester Metropolitan University. I had the opportunity to assume the dual roles of an academic and sports psychologist with GB Hockey. I was fortunate enough to transfer this experiential knowledge to my role with the Sport Ireland Institute as it was being established. It’s gratifying to acknowledge that I’ve played a minor role in developing the institute from its infancy to a globally-recognised team that offers top-tier services.
Can I share my all-time favourite sports memory with you?
My fondest recall is from 2008, when Kenneth Egan clinched a spot in the Beijing games. Despite repeated failure at five qualifying tournaments, often losing to opponents he should have had an upper hand over, he made the cut in his final attempt. Kenneth and his psychologist identified that his focus was wavering in the ring, often preoccupied with past events or potential outcomes. They realised that he needed a focus point. That’s when they discovered that he got his cues from observing the opponent’s hip and shoulder movements, his “window”, which enabled him to use technical expertise to feint and strike, bringing the “technician” in him into play. They found his focus.
In a gloomy, musty, poorly lit region just outside of Athens, home to every pugilist seeking their final opportunity, many yet again not making the cut for the Games, Kenneth brought his razor-sharp concentration into play and accomplished his dream. He often says that he merely collected his silver medal in Beijing, though he indeed earned it – overcoming battles within his own psyche there in Athens.
What is something you most anticipate?
I have always been passionate for the day of the game. Observing athlete and their supporting crew experiencing the emotional highs and lows of the Olympic Games is perpetually exhilarating. The crests and troughs are integral to the experience.
Phil Moore, the Assistant Mission Chef for Team Ireland, also serves as Director of Performance Support at the Sports Ireland Institute. The Sports Ireland Institute is recognised as the official partner for delivering performance support to the Olympic Federation of Ireland.