Student’s ‘full circle moment’ thanks to new Commonwealth Games project

A brand new GCU-led project is helping support some of the world’s best athletes while also giving students a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity.

Psychology for the Common(wealth) Good officially launched on 22 June, with athletes from Seychelles, British Virgin Islands, Samoa, Falkland Islands and Guernsey receiving psychological support from students on the DPsych Sport and Exercise Psychology programme.

Each Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) will receive a minimum of 100 hours of free psychological support, with the offer being in place before, during and after the 11 days of sporting action. GCU’s Entrepreneurial Hub is being used as the project’s base during the course of the Games. The project is also supported by Glasgow 2026 Campus to Commonwealth programme.

One of those students involved in assisting the athletes is Diya Valeja, who admits the opportunity to play a role in the Commonwealth Games was a twist of fate.

“I grew up in Mumbai, India. We are a country that loves sport, particularly cricket. That’s how my journey started; I come from a family that is very passionate about sport. My dad played cricket growing up and my grandad played badminton as well. My dad also used to watch Formula 1, cricket, tennis – basically anything that was on the television.

“Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, but I was only nine years old so don’t remember too much. The thing I remember vividly was when I was 13 years old and Glasgow 2014 took place – it’s the first major sporting event I remember watching. That was the first time I’d heard of Glasgow and my dad told me about the city – I thought it sounded amazing.”

After completing her Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Diya quickly realised that she wanted to specialise in sport – and there was only one destination that stood out to her.

“It had to be Glasgow! I arrived here in September 2022 and it was actually my first time away from home. It took a bit of time to settle in, but everyone has been so nice and it definitely taught me that people do make Glasgow.”

After learning the theory side of Sports and Exercise Psychology, Diya was delighted when she first heard about a chance to add to her practical experience through her lecturer, Dr Bryan McCann, who was working on a new idea around how students could support athletes.

“The Psychology for the Common(wealth) Good project really started to gather pace at the start of 2026. I was supremely excited when I found out it was happening. It just felt like a full circle moment because I’d obviously only heard of Glasgow initially through the Commonwealth Games. To move here as a student and have the opportunity to contribute means so much.

“My dad is the most excited person. He saw my pictures on Instagram promoting the launch event and he called straight away to tell me how much he loved it. Both him and my mum are cheering me on from India – they’re my biggest fans.”

The project is designed to give athletes and support staff specialist mental health and performance support.

Diya said: “The biggest thing for me is the fact that we’re actually there to provide support to Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) who don’t have access to psychological support in their team.

“It feels really special that I’m able to contribute to that and offer free sessions to these incredible athletes. I think the value of psychology within sport isn’t recognised enough – the combination of physical and mental ability is what makes a successful sporting performance.”

Diya is supporting an athlete from Guernsey and has been enjoying getting an insight into their life as an elite athlete, which will help inform the support provided in the coming weeks and months.

She explained: “I didn’t know much about Guernsey before I stared but learning about the athlete and their culture is actually one of my favourite aspects of this role. I love hearing about how different people get involved in sport and finding out about the person behind the athlete.

“Our role is to prepare them as best as we can in terms of things being in place and if there is anything with their performance that we can assist with in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. During the games the focus is how we can maybe use some grounding techniques and help manage their overall nerves. After the event is all about helping them calm down and manage that transition from athlete preparing for performance to athlete returning to normal life.”

As well as the obvious benefit to the athletes, Diya explained how the experience is supporting her own development at this stage in her career.

“It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially as a trainee. Getting support from staff members and colleagues makes such a difference to your overall experience. It really prepares you for a life in sports psychology and working in high performance environments.

“I’m so glad I’m here at GCU for an experience like this. I’m getting the chance to add lots of skills to my toolkit - it really does open me to the world I’m very well equipped to handle anything and everything.”

You can find out more about the Psychology for the Common(wealth) Good project here

Interested in a career in Sports Psychology? Click here to find out what GCU has to offer

By Ross Clark

Currently studying at GCU and achieved something related to your course or in your personal life? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk