Dr. Robin Taylor
Robin is an Assistant Professor in Elite Performance, and joined the university in the summer of 2021. His research is
focused on talent development and he is particularly interested in the
holistic role family can play in the development of sporting talent. Robin is a
Performance Centre Head Coach within the England Hockey Player Pathway and has
worked closely with a range of NGBs and sports organisation supporting player
and coach development, and parental engagement.
Robin works on the postgraduate Elite Performance Sport programmes supervising postgraduate students on MSc, DProf and PhD programmes. As part
of his role he is Programme Chair for the MSc in Elite Performance and module coordinator for three of the taught modules that sit within
both the MSc and DProf programmes. Robin is research active within the field
of talent development, and works closely with several sporting organisations.
Robin previously
taught across practical and theoretical coaching modules at undergraduate level; BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance and BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and
Development degree programmes developing a broader interest in coaching
practice, coach education, and psychological and social development of
athletes. Robin has a diverse educational background when it comes to sport, which has allowed him to develop an understanding
of sport across several areas; social, cultural, developmental, physical,
performance and psychological. His coaching background has seen him coach
hockey in a range of environments, working with a range of populations,
including; primary and secondary school, club (performance, participation and
development) and talent.
Qualifications
·
Ph.D. Talent Development in Sport, University of Central Lancashire,
2018
·
MA. Sport, Policy and Community Development, University of Central
Lancashire, 2012
·
PGCert. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Central
Lancashire, 2016
·
BA (Hons). Sports Studies, University of Central Lancashire, 2010
Research Interests
Robin's research has focused on the role of family in
supporting athletes develop within a talent development environment. It
considers the role of informal environments (e.g., the home), alongside
coaching environments, as a potential mechanism to develop talented athletes.
The research has expanded the knowledge on the potential role of siblings in
the development of an athletes physical, technical, tactical, psychological and
social skills. Highlighting the individualised nature of this role (dependent on
the sibling relationship), the research provides approaches through which
coaches can identify what, and how, siblings may be able to support the
development of an athlete. Robin's research also considers the role of parents
in supporting talent development, and also their role in supporting coaches to
work with, and through, siblings to maximise development opportunities.
Further research interest include:
- Talent Development
- Coach Education
- Coaching Practice
- Holistic Player Development
Teaching Interests
Postgraduate Teaching:
Programme Chair for the MSc in Elite Performance Sport
Teach across all modules of the Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance Sport
Undergraduate Teaching:
Support delivery on the 3rd year Talent Development module for PE and Sport & Exercise Science programmes.
Final year project supervisor.