“I have participated in some competitions with a veterinary license”

by time news

BarcelonaThe work of sports psychologists has not always had the social recognition it deserves and its professionals have had to manage to be able to carry out their work normally. “I remember taking part in some equestrian competitions with a veterinary license,” explains Àlex Gordillo, one of the leading sports psychologists in Catalan sport. The situation is beginning to evolve and the Catalan Basketball Federation has been a pioneer in implementing a license as a sports psychologist. This document was launched two seasons ago, but the pandemic made its repercussions invisible.

“It’s a very important leap because our field was invisible until now. This license is an added value that improves the quality of training and competition. It’s a service that enriches the sport,” says Gordillo. “When it comes to work, it’s a leap in quality. I’ve noticed a big change and the players see you as another coach. They know that if there are any incidents during the game, you can intervene from the bench. it has made my job much easier for me “, adds Noemí Bonet. This sports psychologist from Força Lleida and CBF Lleida is one of the first professionals to benefit from this license, which was promoted by Mar Rovira for start-up.

Bonet participated a few weeks ago in the State Congress of Sports Psychology held in Santander, where his colleagues were surprised when they learned of the initiative of the Catalan Federation. “We were pioneers in implementing this license in the 2020-21 season. So far it has had a moderate introduction, but now that we are getting back to normal and people will know more about this possibility, the growth forecasts are exciting. It’s a license. which must serve to make visible the work of an increasingly important group in the world of sport “, argues Ferran Aril, president of the FCBQ.

The leader held a working meeting on Wednesday with Sandra Nogués, president of the sports psychology section of the Official College of Psychology of Catalonia (COPC), and Jaume Martí, vice president of the Catalan Association of Psychology of ‘Sport (ACPE), to monitor the implementation of this new license. “Participating in this initiative is an honor. This license is a very positive example and serves to recognize and dignify our work,” says Nogués. Processing it is free. “There is no will to collect but to give a service to the clubs,” recalls Aril.

Against intrusion

“This is the first time that a sports federation has recognized us as coaches with the right to be on the bench. Our work is as important as that of other people in the coaching staff. I hope that this initiative will help other federations to ‘Cheer up and take the plunge,’ says Martí. The group has detected one of the great difficulties in obtaining the same social recognition as other specialists. “One of the problems that our sector has to live with is that of intrusion: people who are not psychologists who are doing a 15-day course and who are working. It is a complicated situation. The fact that a federation recognizes that our work is a standardized profession in the world of sports helps us a lot “, says Martí.



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