Hartpury University, through the expertise of Prof. Tracey Devonport, Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, has played a pivotal role in the success of the innovative mentoring programme, “Mentoring: Beyond Talent.” This initiative, delivered in collaboration with Staffordshire University, was intended to support young footballers at Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy in their transition from academy scholarship players to senior professionals.
The programme was developed by experienced academics, who in addition to Prof. Devonport included Dr. Paul Mansell, Dr. Katie Sparks, and Dr. Karla Drew all from the University of Staffordshire, alongside Sport Psychologist Dr. James Maurice (HCPC registered), and recently retired senior professional players Sam Winnall, Jake Jervis, and Matt Jarvis, who in addition to co-developing the programme acted as mentors.
Over the course of the 2024/25 football season, participants engaged in six group sessions facilitated by academic staff and mentors, alongside five 1-2-1 mentoring sessions tailored to individual needs. Evidence-based content was combined with practical insights from mentors who shared firsthand experiences of challenges typically faced by aspiring players. It addressed critical topics such as managing transitions, coping with uncertainty, social support, wellbeing, and performing under pressure.
Feedback from players, mentors, and academy staff highlighted the programme’s significant impact, including improved psychological skills, enhanced communication, stronger team bonds, better stress management, and increased confidence in navigating the transition to senior football.
Prof. Tracey Devonport commented: “This programme exemplifies the power of collaboration between academia and professional sport. By combining research-driven insights with the lived experiences of retired footballers, we’ve created a unique support system for young players during a crucial stage of their careers.”
Key findings from interviews with participants revealed that the programme’s success was rooted in the trust and relatability established between mentors and mentees. Players valued the independence of the mentors, who were external to the club, and appreciated the opportunity to openly discuss the challenges they faced in a secure and non-judgemental environment.
One player shared: “The programme has made me feel more ready for senior football because my mentor shared his experiences and helped me to see that I had to grab each training sessions with both hands and really make it count,” whilst another noted; “I feel like it’s something you need, someone that’s there who understands you, especially the mentors all played football so they know their journeys, where they’ve come from.”
The collaboration between Hartpury University, Staffordshire University, and Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy has set a benchmark for mentoring programmes in professional sport. Based on the success of the programme this is set to be repeated with a new cohort of players across the 2025-26 season. The academic team is currently working on a paper presenting key findings from the programme, which will be shared upon publication.
Research at Hartpury University has been recognised as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Students and staff frequently engage with industry research projects across a wide variety of topics. The institution’s sports degrees also rank 4th among 86 universities (for student satisfaction) in The Guardian University Guide 2025.
