Robin Taylor

Dr.

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Robin is an Assistant Professor in Elite Performance, and joined the university in the summer of 2021. His research is focused on talent development and he is particularly interested in the holistic role family can play in the development of sporting talent. Robin is a Performance Centre Head Coach within the England Hockey Player Pathway and has worked closely with a range of NGBs and sports organisation supporting player and coach development, and parental engagement. Robin works on the postgraduate Elite Performance Sport programmes supervising postgraduate students on MSc, DProf and PhD programmes. As part of his role he is Programme Chair for the MSc in Elite Performance and module coordinator for three of the taught modules that sit within both the MSc and DProf programmes. Robin is research active within the field of talent development, and works closely with several sporting organisations.

Robin previously taught across practical and theoretical coaching modules at undergraduate level; BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance and BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development degree programmes developing a broader interest in coaching practice, coach education, and psychological and social development of athletes. Robin has a diverse educational background when it comes to sport, which has allowed him to develop an understanding of sport across several areas; social, cultural, developmental, physical, performance and psychological. His coaching background has seen him coach hockey in a range of environments, working with a range of populations, including; primary and secondary school, club (performance, participation and development) and talent. 

Qualifications ·        
Ph.D. Talent Development in Sport, University of Central Lancashire, 2018
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MA. Sport, Policy and Community Development, University of Central Lancashire, 2012
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PGCert. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Central Lancashire, 2016
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BA (Hons). Sports Studies, University of Central Lancashire, 2010

Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2021 Taylor, R.D., Carson, H.J., & Collins, D. (2021) 'Seeing double? A practice-based investigation into twin’s experiences of sporting talent development'. International Sport Coaching Journal, 8 :79-90. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2019-0066
2021 Taylor RD;Collins D;Carson HJ; (2021) 'The Role of Siblings in Talent Development: Implications for Sport Psychologists and Coaches'. Frontiers In Sports And Active Living, 3 . [DOI]
2018 Taylor, R.D., Carson, H.J., & Collins, D. (2018) 'The impact of siblings during talent development: A longitudinal examination in sport'. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 30 :272-287. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2017.1384938
2017 Taylor, R.D., Collins, D., & Carson, H.J. (2017) 'Sibling interaction as a facilitator for talent development in sport'. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 12 (2):219-230. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1747954117694926
2015 Taylor, R.D & Collins, D. (2015) 'Reviewing the family unit as a stakeholder in talent development: Is it undervalued?'. Quest, 67 :330-343. [DOI]
2023 Taylor, Robin. D;Taylor, Jamie;Ashford, Michael;Collins, Rosie (2023) 'Contemporary pedagogy? The use of theory in practice: An evidence-informed perspective'. Frontiers In Sports And Active Living, 5 (1113564). [Link] https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1113564
2022 Eastabrook, Chris;Taylor, Robin D.;Richards, Pamela;Collins, Loel (2022) 'An Exploration of Coaching Practice: How Do High-Level Adventure Sports Coaches Develop Independence in Learners?'. International Sport Coaching Journal, . [DOI]
2022 Loftus, S;Taylor, R. D;Grecic, D;Harper, D. J (2022) 'Olympic and Paralympic Coaches Living With Stress—Is It Such a Problem? Potential Implications for Future Coach Education in Sport'. International Sport Coaching Journal, 10 (1):29-41. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2021-0078
2022 Taylor, Jamie;MacNamara, Aine;Taylor, Robin. D (2022) 'Strategy in talent systems: Top-down and bottom-up approaches'. Frontiers In Sports And Active Living, 4 (988631). [Link] https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.988631

Conference Contribution

Year Publication
2020 Taylor, R.D. (2020) A Field of Dreams: Women in Football The role of family in supporting talent development University of Central Lancashire .
2019 Taylor, R.D. (2019) My Child: The Athlete The role of siblings in talent development The Open University .
2013 Pankhurst, A., & Taylor, R.D. (2013) ICaP Talent Development Symposium Using parents & families to support rather than scupper talent development University of Central Lancashire .

Online Article

Year Publication
2020 Grecic, D., Sprake, A., & Taylor, R.D. (2020) PE can do much more than keep children fit – but its many benefits are often overlooked. ELEA [Link]
2022 Robin Taylor (2022) How family can be crucial to the development of athletes in sport. ELEA

Book Chapter

Year Publication
2021 David Grecic;Robin Taylor (2021) 'The CARE learning domains and supporting theories: (iv) Emotional' In: The CARE Curriculum in Physical Education and Sport: A Guide to Pupil and Athlete Development. Gloucester, UK : The Choir Press.
2021 David Grecic;Robin Taylor (2021) 'The CARE learning domains and supporting theories: (i) Cognitive' In: The CARE Curriculum in Physical Education and Sport: A Guide to Pupil and Athlete Development. Gloucester, UK : The Choir Press.
2021 David Grecic;Robin Taylor (2021) 'The CARE learning domains and supporting theories: (iii) Relational' In: The CARE Curriculum in Physical Education and Sport: A Guide to Pupil and Athlete Development. Gloucester, UK : The Choir Press.
2021 Robin Taylor (2021) 'A CARE-ing model of talent development' In: The CARE Curriculum in Physical Education and Sport: A Guide to Pupil and Athlete Development. Gloucester, UK : The Choir Press.
Certain data included herein are derived from the ? Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Research Interests

Robin's research has focused on the role of family in supporting athletes develop within a talent development environment. It considers the role of informal environments (e.g., the home), alongside coaching environments, as a potential mechanism to develop talented athletes. The research has expanded the knowledge on the potential role of siblings in the development of an athletes physical, technical, tactical, psychological and social skills. Highlighting the individualised nature of this role (dependent on the sibling relationship), the research provides approaches through which coaches can identify what, and how, siblings may be able to support the development of an athlete. Robin's research also considers the role of parents in supporting talent development, and also their role in supporting coaches to work with, and through, siblings to maximise development opportunities.

Further research interest include:
  • Talent Development
  • Coach Education
  • Coaching Practice
  • Holistic Player Development