The Sisu Mind

Location: Dublin, Ireland
Academy: North Atlantic Basketball Academy (NABA)
Duration: 2 Weeks | July 2025
Role: Sport Psychologist

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Why I joined NABA this summer

This July, I had the privilege of working as a sport psychologist at the North Atlantic Basketball Academy (NABA) in Dublin. For two weeks, I supported young athletes as they trained both their bodies and minds through a structured summer program focused on development, discipline, and high-level performance.

While most basketball camps focus heavily on physical drills and tactical skills, this one made space for something also important: mental performance training.

My mission was to equip players some as young as 12 with the psychological tools they need to stay focused, handle pressure, and grow through challenges both on and off the court.

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What I did: Mental skills for young athletes

Every morning, I delivered short and practical sport psychology sessions (30 minutes) designed specifically for the age group and environment.

We covered foundational topics such as:

• Focusing on what’s in your control
• Mental composure during pressure
• Effective communication with teammates and coaches
• Breathing, grounding, and emotional regulation
• Mindset and self-talk in performance settings

The goal wasn’t perfection it was planting seeds. I wanted them to leave with a basic awareness that their minds are just as trainable as their muscles.

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Working with a diverse group

The players came from different backgrounds, countries, age groups, and skill levels. Some spoke fluent English, others didn’t. Some were extremely confident, while others were still shy and cautious.

But they all had something in common:
They loved the game and they wanted to get better.

This required me to stay flexible in my delivery. I adapted activities, reframed concepts, and constantly checked in to make sure the message landed with everyone, not just the loudest voices in the room.

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What made this camp special

The environment at NABA was one of high standards, clear structure, and mutual respect. From coaches to coordinators, everyone worked toward the same goal: holistic development.

It was clear that the leadership team, including Dermot and Daniel, believed in the value of sport psychology and I’m incredibly grateful for their openness, support, and trust.

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What’s next?

This experience reminded me that psychological skills don’t just improve performance they help build better humans. Young athletes who can focus, bounce back, and support one another are more likely to succeed in sport and in life.

In the next part of this series, I’ll share the biggest lessons I took with me about communication, group work, and how to stay grounded in fast-paced environments.

Read part 2: 9 lessons I took with me from NABA

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Want to bring mental training into your academy or youth camp?

I work with athletes, coaches, and clubs to integrate psychology into high-performance settings, no fluff, just practical tools that work.

Let’s connect or email me at thesisumindset@gmail.com