Luke Vidler

Philosophy

I believe that our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all linked and all interact in order to drive us, therefore if we think more positive thoughts, we will feel more upbeat and we will do something more likely to increase these feelings. Throughout my practice I look at the athlete as a whole and their life beyond sport as there is more to them as an individual than their sport, all of which are important to the person as a whole.

Education

Studying at the University of Chichester I have completed both my Undergraduate (2:1) & Postgraduate Master’s (Merit) Sport & Exercise Psychology degrees. I am currently deliberating studying for a PhD in the same field.

Prior to University I completed A levels in PE, Sociology and Psychology, giving my insights into human behaviours alone, in groups and across sport.

Sport Psychology Experience

Unlike Edgar my experience lies mostly in research, assisting in a variety of projects with my lecturers throughout my Postgraduate year. With Dr Matthew Smith I assisted in approaching and testing first year psychology students using a Finomter, before working with the data set in SPSS, creating data that was easy to work with and draw meaningful information from. Beyond this I have worked with Professor Iain Greenless, Matthew Jewiss & John Kelly to study both pilots and youth footballers within an elite academy setting, using both Heart Rate Monitors and the Finometer. 

In my own research I have utilised a mobile eye-tracker to understand the visual behaviours of goalkeepers in an open play setting, furthering the research from the typical set-play research. Within my MSc I utilised the Finometer to assess the impact of colours upon the psychological and biological states of athlete’s pre-competition. From this experience I have a strong understanding of the research process and aim to progress this knowledge further in the future.

Sport & Physical Activity

I specialised in a sport early and played football from the age of 8 until 22. As a goalkeeper I have played for Denton and South Heighton, then moved on to Newhaven Town in the County League, before representing Peacehaven and Telscombe at Ryman Youth level. I have played abroad in the Gothia Cup and the Costa Blanca cup, experiencing different cultures and footballing styles and as I got older, I trialled at various clubs including Brighton and Hove Albion and Wycombe Wanderers. I took a couple of years out when I went to University before representing the First XI in my final semester. I have recently taken up golf and have quickly picked up a taste for the game, playing at least once a week in an attempt to lower my handicap as fast as possible.