Brave mind academy

developing the next generation of sports psychologists

The Brave Mind Academy is a professional development programme for first-year trainee sport and exercise psychologists who want to build their experience while making a difference to young people’s mental health.

Running from November 2026 to June 2027, the Academy combines training, supervised practice and real-world delivery of Brave Mind programmes. You’ll learn alongside experienced practitioners, gradually building the confidence and practical skills to deliver evidence-based mental health education to young people through sport.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about working with young people, keen to develop their practice and open to learning, feedback and getting stuck in.

Applications are open until 11th October 2026, with interviews taking place the week following.

What does it involve

The Academy is designed to build your experience and confidence gradually, with support at every stage.

  • Learn & Prepare
    Start with Brave Mind training, safeguarding, professional boundaries and core facilitation skills.

  • Observe
    Shadow experienced Brave Mind psychologists delivering sessions and see how our programmes work in real-world settings.

  • Practise & Co-deliver
    Begin taking responsibility for activities, discussions and parts of sessions alongside an experienced practitioner, with feedback along the way.

  • Lead with Support
    Progress towards leading sessions independently, with ongoing mentoring and professional guidance.

  • Reflect & Develop
    Reflect on your delivery and continue developing your practice with mentor and supervision support.

  • Graduate & Progress
    Complete the Academy with a Brave Mind certificate and verified placement hours, with the opportunity, where appropriate, to continue within the Brave Mind Practitioner Network.

what you’ll gain

The Academy is designed to bridge the gap between theory and applied practice. As part of the programme, you’ll gain:

  • Real-world experience delivering mental health education

  • A Brave Mind Academy Certificate of Completion, signed by Brave Mind leadership

  • A verified log of supervised placement hours for BPS / CASES / HCPC portfolio evidence

  • Mentoring and supervision from experienced practitioners

  • Greater confidence and competence in delivering mental health education to young people.

You’ll also be contributing directly to Brave Mind’s work, helping improve mental health literacy and confidence to seek help among young people and the adults supporting them. Our academy members are expected to help us reach approximately 300 young people and adults across schools, colleges and community clubs.

apply to join the academy

Sound like something you’d like to be part of?

Complete the form below to apply for the 2026/27 Brave Mind Academy. Applications close 11th October 2026.

Together, we’re building something brave and developing the next generation of practitioners, supporting young people and using sport to start the conversation.

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