Glasgow Caledonian sport psychology students to support athletes at 2026 Commonwealth Games
Postgraduate psychology students at Glasgow Caledonian University are to provide hands-on psychological support to Commonwealth athletes competing at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The initiative is part of the University’s Psychology for the Common(wealth) Good project, backed by Glasgow 2026’s Campus to Commonwealth programme and an agreement co-signed by both organisations. It will support teams from six Commonwealth Games Associations by offering a minimum of 100 hours free psychological support per team.
The project is designed to give athletes and support staff game-changing levels of mental health and performance support, particularly those without access to this in-team.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is the UK’s largest sporting event this year bringing together 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports and six Para sports at four of Scotland’s most iconic venues.
Between 20-25 trainee Sport & Exercise Psychologists will deliver the programme as part of their professional doctorate. The support includes online sessions in the run up to the Games, in-person services on the University’s campus during competition and up to three months of post Games online support.
Among this group of trainees is Izzy Tolometti, an accomplished gymnast who represented Team Scotland at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and has played a key role in shaping the support programme as part of her studies. Now on the other side of the Games experience, she knows how invaluable this type of support is and is looking forward to supporting other athletes competing this summer.
Izzy Tolometti said: “Competing at the Commonwealth Games was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget and it’s really exciting to be involved in this fantastic initiative between GCU and Glasgow 2026. I’m passionate about supporting athlete performance and well-being, and thanks to GCU and a home Games, I’m able to put that into action.
“It’s already exciting that the Games will be here in Glasgow, but being involved through this project makes it even more exciting. It provides an amazing opportunity for me and the other trainees to support high-performance athletes and staff as they prepare and participate for the Commonwealth Games. This will be invaluable to our development as practitioners but also a special way to round off my time at the University before hopefully becoming ‘Doctor’ Izzy later this year.”
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive at Glasgow 2026, said: “Glasgow is renowned for its vibrant and talented student communities, and this project is a great example of that energy in action with invaluable opportunities for both the students and Glasgow 2026 athletes.
“The Campus to Commonwealth programme brings students into the heart of the Games by working in collaboration with organisations to create an altogether brilliant Games experience for athletes, spectators and the entire city.”
GCU Principal and Vice-Chancellor Mairi Watson said: “I’m delighted GCU is working with Glasgow 2026 and really proud our trainee psychologists will be providing support to some of the Commonwealth Games teams to enhance their performance when they wouldn’t normally have access to it. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students.”
GCU’s Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology Dr Bryan McCann has been central to developing and delivering the Psychology for the Common(wealth) Good project. He said: “Our trainee Sport & Exercise Psychologists develop extensive therapeutic skills during their studies and placements, which allows them to provide support for mental health and wellbeing as well as performance. Our partnership with Glasgow 2026 offers our trainees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide psychological support to teams from around the world by putting GCU’s mission for the Common Good into practice as part of a home Commonwealth Games.”
