Associate Professor Duncan recently teamed up with research colleagues Dr Ian Cunningham from Université Clermont Auvergne in France and Associate Professor of Communication Dr Peter Simmons of Charles Sturt University (Australia) to write an article on communication for the sports official, in Referee Magazine. The Official Publication of the National Association of Sports Officials in north America recognised the contribution that this team of researchers have contributed to the area with a 6 page spread in December’s edition…

Early in September we trialled a pair of Eye-Tracking Glasses in a pre-season friendly between Sony Centre Fury and the Glasgow Rocks. FIBA basketball referee Chris Dodds wore the glasses for the duration of the game (some might say its about time he put some glasses on!) and the following night we talked through some of his decisions. Here’s an example of what we found in a charge-block call.

Want access to this sort of technology to help your performance – Apply to Edinburgh Napier University for new MSc Performance Enhancement in Sports Officiating or contact d.mascarenhas@napier.ac.uk.

Duncan presented tips from a sport psychologist on performance enhancement to an array sports officials including representatives from table tennis, synchronised swimming, basketball, wheelchair basketball, athletics, football, cricket, netball, lacrosse, British American football, inline skating, polo, and UK snowsports. Continue reading “Top Psych Tips for Sports Officials” →

Six international researchers pooled their expertise to produce the world’s first textbook that summarises the current research on sports officials and officiating. Drawing upon the research evidence base, which has only really started gaining momentum since 2000, Continue reading “Sports Officiating Publication” →

Last summer Duncan teamed up with Paul Box-Granger from the National Programme Umpiring Association (NPUA hockey umpires) to create a verbal communication training video. Highlighting the latest research from Dr Ian Cunningham Continue reading “Verbal Communication Training Video” →