Hi, I’m Andy, founder of Control Centre Performance 

“First of all, the reason you are reading this today is that I believe everyone should have the opportunity to develop their mental skills, whatever their level of sport”.

Playing sport has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Football was my chosen sport, and from a young age I represented Doncaster Boys at youth level, competing in national tournaments and experiencing the opportunity to play in an international tournament in France. Those experiences gave me an early insight into the demands of competitive football and the pressures that can come with performing.

As I got older, mental barriers began to affect my performance more and the fear of failure, judgement and struggling to move on from mistakes eventually contributed to me stepping away from good amateur/semi-professional football at the age of 22. Years later I took up cycling and whilst attempting the Coast to Coast cycle challenge, I suffered a serious cycling accident, breaking my tibia and fibula. Returning to sport wasn’t just a physical challenge it was a mental one too. Those experiences taught me just how important confidence, resilience and the right mindset are in sport.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science and a PGCE in Education. I also possess over 10 years experience as a qualified coach in football and cycling. Alongside running Control Centre Performance, I currently work in the NHS as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner. Together, these experiences have shaped my practical, people-first approach to helping athletes develop both performance and wellbeing.

I’m also a proud parent of two children who love and participate in sport, so I understand the journey that athletes and their families go through. Away from work, you’ll usually find me watching football, out on my bike, volunteering at my local cycling club, or occasionally attempting to hit the dartboard (with mixed results!). At the tender age of 36, I now find myself competing in over-35s football, proof that the love of the game and competing never really leaves you.