Social and Organisational Psychology in Sporting Organisations

I was born in Melbourne, Australia, but grew up predominately in Brisbane in the sunny north of Australia. I first studied Biology at the Queensland Institute of Technology (now know as the Queensland University of Technology) however I quickly changed direction and worked for the Queensland Government education department for 10 or so years providing technical support for the production of teaching resources and conferences. During my spare time I ran wilderness trips and camps for youth on a voluntary basis. I eventually became a member of the board of directors of several large volunteer-based organisations and charities.

In the early 1990s I returned to university and studied Leisure Management majoring in Sport and Outdoor Recreation. I won a full scholarship to continue my studies and went on to complete a Ph.D. examining the relationship between peoples’ understanding of the meaning of leisure and their religious experiences. In 2002 I moved to the University of Edinburgh were I lectured in Sport Management and Research Methods at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In 2005 I joined the University of Southampton as a lecturer in Sport Management.

My research interest lies in the management of volunteers in sporting clubs and associations and I am particularly interested in understanding motivation and how motivation relates to the recruitment and retention practices of volunteer organisations.

1. Policy and Strategy in Physical Activity and Sport MA

1. M Phil/PhD
2. Sport Studies BSc (Hons)
3. Managing and Developing Sport BA (Hons)