Professor Cliff Mallett
Professor

Cliff Mallett

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+61 7 336 56765

Background

Professor Mallett has enjoyed a distinguished career in elite coaching and academia. Prof. Mallett was an Olympic and World Championship medal-winning coach and won a National university teaching award (2011). In 2017, he was awarded the prestigious August-Wilhelm Scheer Professorial Fellowship at Technische Universität München (TUM) in Germany. He developed a world-renowned online program in sports coaching and consults nationally and internationally to many elite sporting organisations. Prof. Mallett is a leading international scholar in two broad and interrelated research areas - sport psychology and coaching; specifically:

Understanding the person-in-context

  • Multi-layered understanding of the person-in-context (personality profiling of coaches and athletes)
  • Motivation of elite coaches and athletes (Self-Determination Theory - SDT);
  • Autonomy-supportive learning environments in sport (Self-Determination Theory - SDT);
  • Mental toughness in elite sport (coaches and athletes).
  • Players' leadership: A Social Identity Approach (SIA)

High Performance coach learning and development:

  • How high performance coaches learn in the workplace;
  • Coaches as sculptors, architects, performers and leaders.

In 2016, Professor Mallett led and completed an international research project examining what can we learn from some of the world's most successful coaches. Prof. Mallett was Chair and Co-Chair of the Research Committee for the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) from 2010-2019.

Background

Professor Cliff Mallett joined the School of Human Movement Studies in 2000 after a career in physical education and also in elite coaching as a National High Performance Coach in track and field with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS). He teaches undergraduate and graduate students and actively researches in the area of elite sport. Prof. Mallett regularly consults with elite coaches and athletes as well as coach developers in several national sporting organisations and international organisations.

Availability

Professor Cliff Mallett is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Health Sciences Psychology Sports science and exercise

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Sport and performance psychology

  • Sport coaching

Research impacts

Professor Mallett's program of resaerch has informed both policy and practice in sports coaching, in both the youth development and elite sport sectors - nationally and internationally. He has published extensively in sport psychology and coaching to foster an evidence-based appraoch to coach learning, development, and subsequent practice to foster positive outcomes for all actors in the sport setting, especially the athletes.

Search Professor Cliff Mallett’s works on UQ eSpace

221 works between 1997 and 2025
All (221) Journal Article (125) Book Chapter (34) Conference Publication (51) Book (4) Other Outputs (7)

201 - 220 of 221 works

2005

Conference Publication

The knowledge of youth performance soccer coaches in identifying talented young soccer players

Vrljic, K. and Mallett, C. J. (2005). The knowledge of youth performance soccer coaches in identifying talented young soccer players. 2005 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sports, Melbourne, 13-16 October, 2005. Dickson, ACT: Sports Medicine Australia.

The knowledge of youth performance soccer coaches in identifying talented young soccer players

2005

Conference Publication

Coach development and education

Mallett, C. and Cote, J. (2005). Coach development and education. 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 15-19 August, 2005. Sydney, NSW, Australia: International Society of Sport Psychology.

Coach development and education

2005

Journal Article

Self-determination theory: A case study of evidence-based coaching

Mallett, C. J. (2005). Self-determination theory: A case study of evidence-based coaching. The Sport Psychologist, 19 (4), 417-429. doi: 10.1123/tsp.19.4.417

Self-determination theory: A case study of evidence-based coaching

2005

Conference Publication

Development and preliminary validation of the Japanese versions of the Flow State Scale-2 and Dispositional Flow Scale-2

Kawabata, Masato, Jackson, Susan A. and Mallett, Cliff J. (2005). Development and preliminary validation of the Japanese versions of the Flow State Scale-2 and Dispositional Flow Scale-2. ISSP 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology: Promoting Health and Performance for Life, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 15-19 August 2005. Sydney, NSW, Australia: International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP).

Development and preliminary validation of the Japanese versions of the Flow State Scale-2 and Dispositional Flow Scale-2

2005

Journal Article

How do you coach

Mallett, Clifford J. (2005). How do you coach. Sports Coach, 28 (2), 16-17.

How do you coach

2005

Journal Article

An analysis of the relay events in Athens 2004

Mallett, Clifford J. (2005). An analysis of the relay events in Athens 2004. Modern athlete and coach, 43 (1), 8-11.

An analysis of the relay events in Athens 2004

2005

Conference Publication

How well does coach education research inform practice and practice inform research? Postgraduate programs in sports coaching

Mallett, C. J. and Rynne, S. (2005). How well does coach education research inform practice and practice inform research? Postgraduate programs in sports coaching. 2005 International Council for Coach Education (ICCE) Global Coach Conference, Limerick, Ireland, 1-4 September, 2005. Ottawa, Canada: ICCE.

How well does coach education research inform practice and practice inform research? Postgraduate programs in sports coaching

2005

Conference Publication

Learning in the workplace: high performance sport coaching

Rynne, Steven, Mallett, Cliff and Tinning, Richard (2005). Learning in the workplace: high performance sport coaching. 4th International Conference on Researching Work and Learning, UTS, Sydney, 11-14 December 2005. Broadway, N.S.W. Australia: OVAL Research.

Learning in the workplace: high performance sport coaching

2005

Conference Publication

Evaluating the work of employed high performance coaches

Mallett, C. J. and Cote, J. (2005). Evaluating the work of employed high performance coaches. ISSP 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology: Promoting Health and Performance for Life, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 15-19 August, 2005. Sydney: International Society of Sport Psychology.

Evaluating the work of employed high performance coaches

2005

Journal Article

Understanding motivation to enhance the quality of coaching

Mallett, C. J. (2005). Understanding motivation to enhance the quality of coaching. Sports Coach, 28 (3), 16-18.

Understanding motivation to enhance the quality of coaching

2004

Journal Article

Elite athletes: Why does the 'fire' burn so brightly?

Mallett, Clifford and Hanrahan, Stephanie (2004). Elite athletes: Why does the 'fire' burn so brightly?. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5 (2), 183-200. doi: 10.1016/S1469-0292(02)00043-2

Elite athletes: Why does the 'fire' burn so brightly?

2004

Conference Publication

Sport science: What it tells us, what it doesn't and what it should

Mallett, C. J. (2004). Sport science: What it tells us, what it doesn't and what it should. Exercise and Sports Science 2004 - From Research to Practice, Brisbane, 14-16 April 2004. Brisbane: AAESS.

Sport science: What it tells us, what it doesn't and what it should

2004

Journal Article

The what, why and how of the push pass

Mallett, C. J. (2004). The what, why and how of the push pass. Modern Athlete and Coach, 42 (2), 25-30.

The what, why and how of the push pass

2004

Conference Publication

Kinetics of the post block foot contacts in sprint running

Watts, M. C., Mallett, C. J. and Engstrom, C.M. (2004). Kinetics of the post block foot contacts in sprint running. Hot Topics from the Red Centre, Alice Springs, 6-9 October 2004. Dickson, ACT: Sports Medicine Australia.

Kinetics of the post block foot contacts in sprint running

2004

Book Chapter

Reflective practices in teaching and coaching: Using reflective journals to enhance performance

Mallett, C. J. (2004). Reflective practices in teaching and coaching: Using reflective journals to enhance performance. Critical Inquiry and Problem-Solving in Physical Education. (pp. 147-158) edited by J. Wright, D. Macdonald and L. Burrows. London: Routledge.

Reflective practices in teaching and coaching: Using reflective journals to enhance performance

2003

Journal Article

A conceptual understanding of motivation

Mallett, C. J. (2003). A conceptual understanding of motivation. Modern Athlete and Coach, 41 (1), 13-17.

A conceptual understanding of motivation

2003

Other Outputs

Elite athletes : what makes the "fire" burn so brightly?

Mallett, Clifford John (2003). Elite athletes : what makes the "fire" burn so brightly?. PhD Thesis, School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/106495

Elite athletes : what makes the "fire" burn so brightly?

2003

Conference Publication

Elite athletes: Why does the 'fire' burn so brightly?

Mallett, C. J. (2003). Elite athletes: Why does the 'fire' burn so brightly?. Making a Difference: From Research to the Real World, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 27 September - 1 October, 2003. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia.

Elite athletes: Why does the 'fire' burn so brightly?

2000

Journal Article

Shooting for gold! Mentally preparing for competition

Mallett, C. J. (2000). Shooting for gold! Mentally preparing for competition. SportsMed News, 4-7.

Shooting for gold! Mentally preparing for competition

2000

Conference Publication

Therapeutic exercise for the lumbar spine stability muscles in an elite sprinter

Hooper, I. D., Fleming, H. M. and Mallett, C. J. (2000). Therapeutic exercise for the lumbar spine stability muscles in an elite sprinter. International Congress on Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 7-12 September, 2000. Belconnen, ACT: Sports Medicine Australia.

Therapeutic exercise for the lumbar spine stability muscles in an elite sprinter

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Representative Coaches: Quality, impact and learning in the high performance landscape
    Queensland Academy of Sport
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Research in high performance coaching and sporting organisations
    Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Club Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Representative Coaches: Quality, impact and learning in the high performance landscape
    Australian Sports Commission
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Mental performance in competition training program for coaches
    Australian Sports Commission
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Elevate Coach Program
    Australian Sports Commission
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    High performance coach development: Harnessing cross cultural advantages
    Australia-Japan Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Development and pilot testing of the Active Triple P program for parents of Junior Rugby League players
    Rugby League Research Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Mitigating the impacts of Relative Age Effect in junior rugby league: Evaluating an intervention
    Rugby League Research Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Creating a thriving community for young people through junior rugby league
    Rugby League Research Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Knowing the person: Enhancing success in securing high potential leaders
    Australian Rugby Union Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Evaluation of Physical Activity Initiative in Schools
    Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Australian Sports Commission Junior Sports Framework Review
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Development and validation of the Tennis Australia Psychological Profile
    Tennis Australia
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Mental toughness in the Australian military: Conceptualisation, measurement and development.
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Indigenous Sport Coaching and Development: Coach influence on youth participation and ongoing involvement in physical activity
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Youth coach training in mental toughness and its impact on positive youth development.
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Enhancing recovery in sport
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Learning and mentoring in high performance sports coaching
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    Elite coaching: What fuels the fire?
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Cliff Mallett is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigations into the coach-athlete relationship of Australian Football

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor James Kirby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High performance athletes and coaches experiences: A retrospective look at the value of autonomy-supportive coaching

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Michalis Stylianou

  • Master Philosophy

    Training talent to thrive: Piloting the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment protocol in a Western drama school

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring the role of cognitive control in sports coaching expertise

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Dux

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identity leadership in action: An ethnographic approach to identify leadership behaviours in a professional football team

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam, Associate Professor Nik Steffens

  • Doctor Philosophy

    What does a pathways (sport) coach need to know and do?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Identity leadership in action: An ethnographic approach to identify leadership behaviours in a professional football team

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam, Associate Professor Nik Steffens

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The pedagogical work of high performance sport coaches.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Coaches of the future: Optimising relationships, learning, and performance in sport

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Coach education: current effectiveness of Olympic coaching practices.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mental health of athletes in subjectively judged sports such as dance, gymnastics, and figure skating

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Vanessa Wergin

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Coaches' learning - through and from the athlete

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Cliff Mallett directly for media enquiries about:

  • Athletes - professional
  • Coach learning and development
  • High performance coaching
  • Mind - sport
  • Motivation - in sport
  • Performance - sport
  • Psychology - sport
  • Sport - motivation
  • Sport - professional
  • Sport psychology
  • Sports coaching

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