Army recognition for Solent student

Every year, the Inter Services tournament invites personnel from the British Army, Navy and Royal Air Force to come together and compete in different sports. This year, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology undergrad, Olivia, had the unique opportunity to support the British Army women’s football team during their preparation for the tournament.

With a passion for sport psychology, and as a professional footballer, Olivia has spent three months providing psychological support to the team, helping them get into a winning mindset ahead of their matches. During that time, Olivia supported 30 different athletes and had the opportunity to learn from eight coaches. On this experience, she says:

“I am incredibly grateful to have had this excellent opportunity to support the team, providing psychological support alongside Sport Psychology lecturer, Tom Doncom. As a footballer myself, I have loved being in this positive environment, and it’s been an incredible privilege to contribute to such a dedicated team and grow both personally and professionally.”

As a practice-led university, Solent is committed to giving students opportunities to put what they learn on campus into practice in professional environments. Course Leader Psychology, Mei Mason-Li, says:

“Partnering with organisations such as the army women’s football team highlights what we do best at Solent, connecting our students to unique opportunities where they can apply psychology in meaningful and impactful ways to strengthen their academic knowledge and to build their confidence in multidisciplinary settings.

“Placements like this showcase how our students contribute to real-world challenges, while gaining the kind of experience that really sets them apart when they graduate. At Solent, we don’t just teach psychology, we live it.”

Olivia’s support paid off, helping the team take home a 2-0 victory at home against the Royal Navy. This was a huge win for the British Army women’s football team, as it marked their first in six years.

The team’s initial success, undoubtedly made possible thanks to Olivia’s attentive support during her placement, saw the team secure the Knights Cup and led them to the final game where they played against the RAF. While the RAF took home the final win, it was a close battle at 4-3, and the team celebrated their best performance since 2019.

Head Coach of British Army Women’s Football, Sergeant Craig Parker, says:

“The short but noticeable impact Olivia has had on the team from a psychological perspective has been incredible; she is a mature and professional individual with an eye for detail.”

Following her success with the team, Olivia has been invited back for the 2026/27 tournament. She says:

“Working with the team has been a unique chance to apply my knowledge of sport psychology in a real-world setting and has inspired me to continue pursuing my passion for supporting other athletes.”