Key Outcomes

Understand the principles of an ecological approach to coaching. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of ecological dynamics and how it informs skill acquisition, motivation, and learning in sport.

Explore how to build symmetrical coach-athlete-environment relationships. Attendees will learn strategies to create more balanced relationships that honour athlete autonomy, individual differences, and environmental interactions.

Develop practical tools to support nonlinear learning. Participants will leave with ideas for designing practice environments that embrace variability, adaptability, and build resilient athletes.

Enhance coaching practice to maximise athlete motivation and self-regulation. Attendees will be able to integrate ecological principles to create learning environments that support athlete-driven exploration, motivation, and growth.

Meet Our Expert Speakers

Rob Gray

Associate Professor at Arizona State University/Host & Producer of the Perception & Action Podcast/Sport Science Consultant at Chicago Cubs

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Rob completed his BA in Psychology at Queen’s University and his MS and PhD in Experimental Psychology at York University. After receiving his PhD in 1998, he worked as a Research Scientist for Nissan Motor Corporation in Cambridge, MA, USA. In 2001, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the newly formed Applied Psychology Program at Arizona State University. In 2006, he was appointed Associate Professor and Program Head. Since 2005, he has also worked part-time as a Research Psychologist for the United States Air Force. From January-June 2010, he was appointed as a Visiting Professor in Sport Sciences at the University of the Mediterranean in France. From 2010-2014, he was a Reader (Associate Professor) in Perception & Action in the School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham, UK. His research focuses on perceptual-motor control with a particular emphasis on the demanding actions involved in driving, aviation, and sports. His goal is to conduct basic research that can be applied towards the improvement of training, simulation, accident prevention, and human-machine interface development within these contexts. In 2007, he was awarded the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology from the American Psychological Association and the Earl Alluisi Award for Early Career Achievement in the Field of Applied Experimental & Engineering Psychology. He has worked as a consultant for several professional sports teams and is currently a Skill Acquisition Specialist with the Chicago Cubs. He hosts & produces the popular Perception & Action Podcast and is the author of the books “How We Learn to Move” and “Learning to Be an Ecological Coach”.