About the project
The coach plays a key role in an athlete's development. To support modern coaching in Ukraine, the Marta Kostyuk Foundation awarded five scholarships to Ukrainian coaches for participation in the international online course "Sports Psychology," led by Australian sports psychologist Damien Stewart.
The project in numbers
Coaches received ia scholarship in sports psychology
Modules focused on athletes' psychological preparation
Participants took part in masterclasses led by the scholarship-recipient coaches
Why this matters
Psychological preparation is just as important a part of modern sport as physical preparation. It helps athletes cope with stress, overcome challenges, and maintain motivation and self-confidence, while also building healthy relationships with their coaches and parents. By supporting coach development, we help create a safer sporting environment for children.
Key topics of the course
Motivation and Goal Setting
Building athletes' intrinsic motivation, providing support through difficult periods, and preventing burnout. Practical approaches to setting short-term and long-term sporting goals.
Psychological Readiness
Building concentration, visualisation skills, and psychological readiness for competition. Techniques for self-regulation, pre-competition routines, and stress management
Injuries and Relationships in Sport
Psychological support for athletes during injuries and their return to training. Building healthy communication between athletes, coaches, and parents, resolving conflicts, and upholding ethical principles in practice
How the knowledge moves forward
The program is built on the international Training of Trainers (ToT) principle: after completing the sports psychology course, each coach runs an open masterclass, passing on the new knowledge to other coaches, athletes, and parents. This way, the knowledge reaches far beyond the program itself, and modern approaches to psychological preparation spread across Ukraine's tennis community.
How the project unfolded
May 2025
Opening of applications for the scholarship project.
June 2025
Announcement of the five scholarship recipients and the start of training.
July 2025
Training on the international sports psychology course.
May 2026
Open masterclasses to share the knowledge gained with other coaches and athletes.
Join our programs
For coaches
Follow our new educational project, scholarships, and professional development opportunities from the Marta Kostyuk Foundation
For partners
Support the Foundation's upcoming educational project and help Ukrainian coaches gain access to modern international knowledge
