Staff Profiles

Rosie currently contributes to the BSc (Hons) Sport, Coaching and Physical Education and BSc Sport and Exercise Science programmes. Rosie has particular expertise in Sport and Performance psychology, Coaching and Motor Control. 

 

Modules taught

• The Sport and Exercise Practitioner
• Introduction to the Psychology of Sport and Exercise 
• Sports Psychology
• Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Human Movement and Skill in Sport
• Independent Study 
• Dissertation 

Currently studying for a PhD, exploring the psychomotoric concomintants of high-performance sport, Rosie's research focussed on the identification and promotion of biopsychosocial features of successful performance. Alongside this, she has previous publications and active research in Talent Development and coaching. 

Journal articles

• Collins R, Moffat D, Carson HJ, Collins D, 'Where you look during golf putting makes no difference to skilled golfers (but what you look at might!): An examination of Occipital EEG ɑ-power during target and ball focused aiming'
  International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology online first (2023)
  ISSN: 1612-197X eISSN: 1557-251X
  Abstract

  This study probed a psycho-motor switch between “attention” and “intention” using electroencephalography (EEG) of the occipital cortex during target versus ball focused aiming when golf putting. Specifically, we investigated (1) the pattern and power of ɑfrequency between putting methods at 8 ft. and 15 ft. distances and (2) the EEG activity for missed versus holed putts. Twelve highly skilled golfers executed 32 putts at each distance using both methods (i.e., 8 putts per condition) under naturalistic and competitive conditions. Putting performance (number of putts holed and distance from the hole) and EEG activity at −6 s, −4 s and −2 s before movement initiation were recorded. No performance difference was found for holed or missed putts between the putting methods at either distance (p > 0.05). Overall, EEG data revealed a significant time effect, with higher power at −2 s for all conditions apart from at the most challenging 15 ft. distance when using ball focused aiming, where the power decreased. For missed putts at either distance, there was twice the artefact and eye blink during ball compared to target focused aiming. Data suggest a more robust switch from attention to intention when preparing for execution with target focused aiming. Target focused aiming suggestively helps golfers to remove a potential distraction, such as from seeing the arms, hand and ball, rather than offering any distinct/different advantage to ball focused aiming. In other words, a distraction caused by what the golfer looks at rather than where gaze is directed.

  Website 
• Collins R, Collins D, Carson HJ, 'Show me, tell me: An investigation into learning processes within skateboarding as an informal coaching environment'
  Frontiers in Psychology 13 (2022)
  ISSN: 1664-1078 eISSN: 1664-1078
  Abstract

  Coach education is a learner-centred process, which often fails to consider the preferences of the consumer. Historically, research into performers’ experiences of coaching have been influenced by the social constructivism of learning: in short, an expressed preference for what the performer has experienced as determined by their coach, rather than their own personal preferences. Therefore, this research used skateboarding as a natural laboratory in order to explore the current practices and preferences of performers in a coach-free environment. Ninety-one skateboarders from parks in the UK and New Zealand offered information relating to their current learning practices, how they learnt about learning, and how the top-level performers in their environment were differentiated. Findings suggest that a number of coaching tools are used by performers, which are closely aligned with a more traditional, cognitive view of coaching (e.g., demonstration, drills, error usage). Results also suggest that performers deployed a number of cognitive skills (imagery, analogy, understanding) to enhance storage of a movement as an internal representation. Finally, in the absence of formal coaching, performers use their knowledge of learning to appoint informal leaders. Implications for practice are discussed.

  Website 
• Smith M, Young G, Batten J, Parry KD, Collins R, Anderson E, White AJ, 'Athletes with Neurodegenerative Disease: A Phenomenological Exploration of Family Members’ Experiences.'
  Qualitative Report 26 (11) (2021) pp.3492-3518
  ISSN: 1052-0147 eISSN: 2160-3715
  Abstract

  This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 15 family members (mainly partners and children) of deceased athletes who experienced deterioration in their neurological health towards the end of their life. The purpose of this study was to examine the stressors these family members experienced with the ailed players, their emotional responses to their family member’s condition, as well as the coping strategies they used. Vertical and horizontal thematic analyses were conducted on the data, which revealed five distinct temporal stages, a range of emotional responses, as well as accompanying stressors and coping strategies at each temporal stage. The findings are presented as an ethnodrama, capturing the lived experiences of participants. This ethnodrama aims to resonate with those caring for family members who are experiencing deteriorating neurological health, while also raising awareness of the various emotional responses of the individuals in these situations, as well as inviting dialogue and reflection about these issues. 
  

  Website 
• Collins R, Collins D, Carson HJ, 'Muscular collision chess: A qualitative exploration of the role and development of cognition, understanding, and knowledge in elite level decision making'
  International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology online first (2021)
  ISSN: 1612-197X eISSN: 1557-251X
  Abstract

  Decision making (DM) is a crucial part of team invasion games. The role of context and how this drives both the initial DM and primes in-action planning and execution, termed contextual priors, has been investigated. Findings suggest a significant role for cognition, which appears to run contrary to some of the suggestions made by an ecological dynamics approach. Wishing to clarify this situation for coaches and psychologists, this research explores the experience of nine top-tier key decision makers in rugby union, using an interview approach. Results showed a wide range of context-based information considered by players during the DM process. Furthermore, this information acted to prime subsequent attention and in-action thinking. Finally, this research sought to understand if, and therefore how, DM could be taught, developed and primed by players and coaches. Our data are supportive of a more cognitively focused approach to developing DM although our data do not dismiss a role for direct perception in optimising performance. Implications for practice are discussed.
  

  Website 
• Collins, R., Collins, D., MacNamara, A., and Jones, M.I., 'Change of plans: an evaluation of the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of successful talent transfer.'
  Journal of Sports Sciences 32 (17) (2014) pp.1621-1630
  ISSN: 0264-0414
  Website 
• Collins, D., Abraham, A. & Collins, R., 'On vampires and wolves: Exposing and exploring reasons for the differential impact of coach education.'
  International Journal of Sport Psychology (2012)
  ISSN: 0047-0767
  

Book chapters

• Pankhurst. A., & Collins, R., 'Developing coaching and players around the globe.' in Routledge Handbook of Elite Sport Performance, Routledge (2019)
  ISBN: 9781138290303 eISBN: 9781315266343
  Abstract

  The identification and development of the elite athletes of the future is an imperative for all sport organisations and national governing bodies. The requirement for any sport is to provide a high quality and sustainable route through which young athletes can develop the skills and abilities needed to continually move up towards elite status. The structural differences within different national governing bodies can impact and even determine policies for coach education and development, player development and, to some extent, competitive structures. Commitment to a specific athlete development system/structure for a minimum of ten years is essential if athlete and coach development alike is to follow a coherent pathway. Whilst predictive systems exist, nobody knows which child in a group has the potential to be the next elite athlete, so the coach working with children is just as important as one working with elite performers.
  

  Website 

Areas of expertise

Rosie's expertise lie within the performance industry. Within sport, her experience started with motorsport, and has grown to include a wealth of individual and team pursuits such as golf, netball, football, rugby league and kayaking. In addition to sport, she has experience of support high level performers within music, dance, acting and business. 

Membership of professional bodies

Accredited Psychologist of the Division in Sport and Exercise Psychology with the British Psychological Society

Consultancy

Current Lead Sport Psychologist for Girl's and Women's Squads at England Golf

Various individual clients within Motorsport, Athletics and Netball

Sport and Performance Psychology Consultant with Grey Matters UK, with previous consultancy with RFL, British Cycling and Women's Super League