Mental Performance in Competition
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) mission is to lead and enable a united high performance (HP) system that supports Australian athletes/teams to achieve podium success.
Optimising the mental performance of Australian athletes in competition to achieve success at the Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games.
Athletes, coaches, and performance support staff are invited to participate in mental performance in competition (MPC) activities through their National Sporting Organisation (NSO).
Mental Training Activities
AIS in collaboration with the Australian Army are offering NSOs the opportunity to access immersive mental training activities to develop knowledge and skills to enhance:
- Mental Performance
- Teamwork and Communication
- Resilience
MPC Digital
Learn about optimising mental performance in competition online. Access digital content including videos, podcasts, live stream forums and Q&As, online education, and the science behind what it takes to be mentally ready to perform best in competition.
Log in to SportAUS Connect and access MPC Digital
What you can access on MPC Digital:
- hear from athletes and how they mentally prepare for best performance in competition in our video series Gold Medal Moments and podcast series Games Ready
- register for monthly live Q&A series with Athletes sharing their approach to mental preparation for the Games
- complete an online course Intro to MPC and learn the fundamental mental performance skills
- hear from the research teams who are helping us better understand the science to optimise an athlete’s mental performance in competition
How to access MPC Digital
- your National Sporting Organisation will share some registration details
- go to SportAUS Connect below to get started
MPC for NSOs
The AIS are working with NSOs to design their very own MPC program and curriculum for their Athletes and Coaches.
Integrating an MPC curriculum throughout the performance pathway will enhance the knowledge and understanding of athletes, coaches, and the NSO to apply sport specific mental performance skills in competition and to perform effectively with pressure in competition.
The AIS will provide consultation, content, training, and funding to deliver the NSOs curriculum through their performance pathway.
A team of experienced psychologists from the AIS will help sports to design an MPC curriculum that is sport-specific, and then provide ongoing support to key NSO staff (e.g., psychologists, coaches, pathway managers) in the delivery over multiple years.
NSOs can access:
- Consultation on the MPC curriculum and program delivery structure
- Digital content library to support the curriculum
- Coach training program
- Measurement of MPC
If you are the NSO Performance Director, Performance Pathway Manager, or Lead Performance Psychologist and want to be involved in the process with the AIS, please contact mpc@sportaus.gov.au
The MPC Program becomes a key part of the NSO pathway strategy that directly contributes to athletes’ consistently delivering best performance at benchmark events.
More information
For all enquiries about Games Ready Mental Performance in Competition initiatives NSOs can contact mpc@ausport.gov.au