Dr Rich Neil

I have a number of research interests that involve collaboration with academics UK wide and overseeing numerous Ph.D. candidates. These interests include Resiliency, Stress, Well-being and Performance (e.g., projects with the DVLA and FAW), Life Skill Development (e.g., projects with Carmarthen Golf Club and the Golf Union of Wales), and Leadership (e.g., projects with the DVLA).

Hanton, S., Neil, R., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2008). Recent developments in competitive anxiety direction and competition stress research.  International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1, 45-57.

Neil, R., Hanton, S., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2009). The contribution of qualitative inquiry towards understanding competitive anxiety and competition stress. Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, 1, 191-205.

Neil, R., Hanton, S., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2013). Seeing things in a different light: Assessing the effects of a cognitive-behavioural intervention upon the further appraisals of golfers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 25, 106-130. DOI: 10.1080/10413200.2012.658901

REFEREED ACADEMIC JOURNAL PAPERS

Cropley, B., Baldock, L., Neil, R., Mellalieu, S., Wagstaff, C., & Wadey, R. (in press). Coping with the demands of professional practice: Sport psychology consultants' perspectives. The Sport Psychologist.

 Cox, H., Neil, R., Oliver, J., & Hanton, S. (in press). PasSport4life: A trainee sport psychologist's perspective on developing a resilience-based life skills program. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action.

 Neil, R., Mellalieu, S. D., & Wadey, R. (2016). It's good to talk: Injury. Sport & Exercise Psychology Review, 12, 69-76.​

Neil, R., Bowles, H., Hanton, S., & Fleming, S. (2016). The experience of competition stress and emotion within cricket. The Sport Psychologist, 30, 76-88.

Miles, A. J., Neil, R., & Barker, J. B. (2016). Preparing to take the field: A qualitative exploration of stress, emotion, and coping in cricket. The Sport Psychologist, 30, 101-112. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2014-0142

O'Donoghue, P. G., & Neil, R. (2015). Relative age effect on behavioural regulation, burnout potential and anxiety of sports students. European Journal of Human Movement, 35, 1-11.

Barker, J., Neil, R., & Fletcher, D. (2016). Special Issue on Using Sport and Performance Psychology in the Management of Change: Editorial. Journal of Change Management, 16, 1-7.

Neil, R., Wagstaff, C., Weller, E., & Lewis, R. (2016). Leader behaviour, emotional intelligence, and team performance at a UK Government Executive Agency during organizational change. Journal of Change Management, 16, 97-122.

Hanton, S., Evans, L. & Neil, R. (2003). Hardiness and the competitive trait anxiety response. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping: An International Journal, 16, 167-184.

Neil, R., Mellalieu, S. D., & Hanton, S. (2006). Psychological skills usage and the competitive trait anxiety response as a function of skill level in rugby union. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 5, 415-423.

Mellalieu, S. D., Neil, R., & Hanton, S. (2006). An investigation of the mediating effects of self-confidence between anxiety intensity and direction. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 77, 263-270.

Neil, R., Fletcher, D., Hanton, S., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2007). (Re)conceptualizing competition stress in sport performers.  Sport & Exercise Psychology Review, 3, 23-29.

Hanton, S., Cropley, B., Neil, R., Mellalieu, S.D., & Miles, A. (2007). Experience in sport and its relationship with competitive anxiety. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5, 28-53.

Hanton, S., Neil, R., Mellalieu, S., & Fletcher, D. (2008). Competitive experience and performance status: An investigation into multidimensional anxiety and coping. European Journal of Sport Sciences, 8, 143-152.

Mellalieu, S. D., Neil, R., Hanton, S., & Fletcher, D. (2009). Competition stress in sport performers: Stressors experienced in the competition environment. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29, 729-744.

Cooper, A., Tong, R., Neil, R., Owens, D., & Tomkinson, A. (2010). External auditory canal exostoses in white water kayakers. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44, 144-147.

Neil, R., Hanton, S., Mellalieu, S. D., & Fletcher, D. (2011). Competition stress and emotions in sport performers: The role of further appraisals. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 12, 460-470.

Neil, R., Wilson, K., Mellalieu, S. D., Hanton, S., & Taylor, J. (2012). Competitive anxiety intensity and interpretation: A two-study investigation into their relationship with performance. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10, 96-111.

Fletcher, D., Hanton, S., Mellalieu, S., & Neil, R. (2012). A conceptual framework of organizational stressors in sport performers. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 22, 545-557.

Wadey, R., Evans, L., Hanton, S., & Neil, R. (2012). An examination of hardiness throughout the sport injury process. British Journal of Health Psychology, 17, 103-128.

Wadey, R., Evans, L., Hanton, S., & Neil, R. (2012). An examination of hardiness throughout the sport injury process: A qualitative follow-up study. British Journal of Health Psychology, 17, 872-893.

Hanton, S., Neil, R., & Evans, L. (2013). Hardiness and anxiety interpretation: An investigation into coping usage and effectiveness. European Journal of Sports Sciences, 13, 96-104.

Stephens, C., Neil, R., & Smith, P. (2013). The Perceived Benefits and Barriers of Sport in Spinal Cord Injured Individuals; A Qualitative Study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 34, 2061-2070. DOI:10.3109/09638288.2012.669020.

Wadey, R., Evans, L., Hanton, S., & Neil, R. (2013). The effect of dispositional optimism pre-injury and post-injury. Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise, 45, 387-394.

Neil, R., Hanton, S., Bayston, P., & Wilson, K. (2013). The influence of competition stress and emotions on referee decision-making. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 9, 22-41.

Neil, R., Cropley, B. J., Wilson, K., & Faull, A. (2013). Exploring the value of reflective practice interventions within applied sport psychology: Case studies with an individual athlete and a team. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 9, 42-56.

Miles, A., & Neil, R. (2013). Self-talk use within elite cricket batsmen. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14, 874-881.
           

Neil, R., Hanton, S., Fleming, S., & Wilson, K. (2013). The Research Process in Sport, Exercise and Health: Case Studies of Active Researchers. London: Routledge.
        
INVITED BOOK CHAPTERS

Neil, R., & Cropley. (2017, in press). Delivering Sport Psychology across Youth Contexts. In C. Knight, C. Harwood, & D. Gould (Eds.). Sport Psychology for Young Athletes. London: Routledge.

Neil, R., McFarlane, H., & Smith, A. (2016, in press). Positive Wellbeing in Sport Organizations. In. C. Wagstaff (Ed.). The Organizational Psychology of Sport: Key Issues and Practical Applications. London: Routledge.

Neil, R., & Woodman, T. (2016, in press). Anxiety, Arousal, and Coping. In T. S. Horn & A. L. Smith. (Eds.). Advances in Sport & Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Neil, R., Wilson, K., & Tong, R. (2010). Assessment and electronic submission to enhance student learning in sport related research. In P. Kemp, R. Atfield & R. Tong. (Eds.), Enhancing Learning through Assessment in Business and Management, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport, and Tourism (pp. 101-111). Newbury, Berks: Threshold Press Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-903152-25-6

Wagstaff, C. R. D., Neil, R., Mellalieu, S.D., & Hanton, S. (2011). Key movements in competitive anxiety direction research. In D. Lavallee, M. Jones, & J.Thatcher (Eds.) (2nd Ed.). Coping and Emotion in Sport (pp.143-166).London: Routledge.

Hanton, S., Neil, R., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2011). Competitive anxiety and sporting performance. In. T. Morris & P. Terry (Eds.), The New Sport and Exercise Psychology Companion (pp. 89-104). West Virginia: Fitness Information Technology. ISBN: 978-1-935412-02-1.

Neil, R., & Mellalieu, S. D. (2013). Sport psychology: Sport performers’ experiences of stress and emotions. In R. Neil, S. Hanton, S. Fleming, & K. Wilson (Eds.). The Research Process in Sport, Exercise and Health: Case Studies of Active Researchers (pp. 235-253).  London: Routledge.

Kingston, K., Thomas, O., & Neil, R. (2013). Psychology for coaches. In Jones, R.L. & Kingston, K. (Eds.) (2nd ed.) An introduction to sports coaching: Connecting theory to practice. London: Routledge.

Neil, R., & Thomas, O. (2013). Relaxation. In R. C. Eklund, & G. Tenenbaum. (Eds.). Encyclopaedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Thomas, O., & Neil, R. (2013). Energizing. In R. C. Eklund, & G. Tenenbaum. (Eds.). Encyclopaedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Thomas, O., & Neil, R. (2013). Breathing Exercises. In R. C. Eklund, & G. Tenenbaum. (Eds.). Encyclopaedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Cropley, B., & Neil, R. (2014). The neophyte supervisor: What did I get myself into? In L. Tashman & G. Cremades (Eds.), Becoming a performance psychologist: International perspectives on service delivery and supervision (pp. 219-228). Routledge / Psychology Press.

Cropley, B., & Neil, R. (in press, 2016). Supervising from the swampy lowlands: A case study of collaborative approaches to supervision. In L. Tashman & G. Cremades (Eds.), Global practices and training in applied, sport, exercise, and performance psychology: A case study approach. Routledge / Psychology Press.​

INVITED PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES

Neil, R., & Cole-King, A. (2015). An interview with Dr. Alys Cole-King. The Sport & Exercise Scientist, 44, 22-23.

Cropley, B., Neil, R., Wilson, K., & Faull, A. (2011). Reflective practice: Does it really work? The Sport & Exercise Scientist, 29, 16-17.

Cropley, B., & Neil, R. (in press, 2015). Issues in applied sport psychology: A panel discussion. The Sport & Exercise Scientist.
        

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

I have presented over 60 papers and led several symposiums at numerous national and international conferences.

I currently deliver on modules in the area of sport psychology at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level and sport and exercise medicine at Postgraduate level.  I am also the module leader for Research Process Module on the M.Sc. Sport and Exercise Medicine programme.

Postgraduate Research Supervision: Doctor of Philosophy
Hamish Cox. Thesis Title: PasSport for Life. Life skill development through golf. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised byDr. Jon Oliver and Professor Sheldon Hanton. Expected completion 2015. Director of Studies. £70k KESS funding awarded for project.

Ceri Bowley. Thesis Title: The design, implementation and evaluation of a resilient coping and life skills development plan for adolescents within a Football Coach Education programme. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised by Dr. Brendan Cropley, Prof. Sheldon Hanton and Dr. Ian Mitchell. Expected completion 2015. Supervisor. £70k KESS funding awarded for project.

Dr. Helen McFarlane. Thesis Title: The DVLA Wellbeing Project. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised by Dr. Karianne Backx and Professor Andy Smith (Cardiff University). Expected completion 2015. Director of Studies. £40k RIA funding for project.

Charlotte Williams. Thesis title: ‘Live Smart’ developing and evaluating a life skill programme for the Golf Union of Wales Coaching Centres. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised by Dr. Brendan Cropley, Professor Tim Woodman (Bangor University) and Dr. Ian Mitchell (Swansea City FC). Expected completion 2017. Director of Studies. £3k funding from GUW.

Zach Gould. Development of a Functional Movement Screening System for Golf. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised by Dr. Jon Oliver and Dr. Rhodri Lloyd. Expected completion 2017. Supervisor.

Toby Nichols. Professional Doctorate. Thesis Title: Enhancing the education and ongoing development of golf coaches. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised by Dr. Brendan Cropley and Dr. Andy Miles. Expected completion 2017. Supervisor.

Jess Brainch. Thesis Title: Transition into Elite Cricket. Registered at Cardiff Metropolitan University and co-supervised by Dr. Alun Hardman, Dr. Lynne Evans and Dr. Owen Thomas. Expected completion 2018. Advisor. £15k Research Degree Bursary Award.​

B.Sc. (Hons). Sport and Exercise Sciences (1st Class), University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
M.Sc. (Hons). Sport and Exercise Sciences (Distinction), University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Ph.D. Sport Psychology, Swansea University
Fellow of Higher Education Academy
Cardiff Metropolitan University Teaching Fellow (2010)
Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist - Psychology (BASES)
Chartered Scientist (The Science Council; BASES)
Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society)
Registered Sport Psychologist - No. PYL28840 (Health and Care Professions Council)

I am linked with a number of external organisations through research, professional practice, enterprise activities and learning and teaching.

WRU U20s

• I am the Performance Psychologist for the WRU U20s squad, working with the coaches, support staff and players. The scope of the work ranges from working with the U20s to develop and maintain an effective and accountable culture of excellence to preparing the players mentally for competition.

DVLA

• I am leading numerous projects in collaboration with the DVLA and academics from Cardiff University, University of Portsmouth, Bangor University, Loughborough University and Gloucester University. Two projects are housed at the Contact Centre of the DVLA, evaluating the Wellbeing and Resiliency of the workforce. A final project is based at the Enforcement Centre examining the influence of leadership and emotional intelligence on cohesion and performance.

British Association of Sport & Exercise Science (BASES)

• I have provided sport psychology support to both elite and non-elite individuals, teams, coaches, and organisations in a variety of sports since 2004. I am also registered as a BASES Supervised Experience supervisor. In addition to this, I have written for the organisation’s Sport & Exercise Scientist publication, led the organisation of the BASES Student Conference in 2013, and am member of the BASES Annual Conference Organizing Committee.

Golf Union of Wales

• I am lead Sport Psychologist for the Golf Union of Wales (http://www.golfunionwales.org/dr-rich-neil), working specifically with National squad players and overseeing the work of 10 Cardiff Metropolitan University Post Graduate students who work with the Academy and Regional squads. I am also Director of Studies for a doctoral research project focused on the life skill development of young golfers and co-supervise a professional doctorate that aims to improve the development pathways of the GUW’s coaches.

Wellbeing Connect

• I am a member of Wellbeing Connect (http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/wellbeingconnect/), a research group that has developed an innovative and far-reaching approach to the study of subjective wellbeing and public policy.

External Examining

• External Examiner: B.Sc. (Hons). Sport and Exercise Psychology. Chichester University. 2014 – present.
• External Examiner: B.Sc. (Hons). Sport and Exercise Science. University of Bolton. 2015 – present
• External Examiner: M.Sc. (Hons). Strength and Conditioning. University of Bolton. 2015 – present.