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)

141 - 160 of 221 works

2011

Conference Publication

Coach learning in different countries and cultures: The experiences of foreign coaches

Tao, Y. C., Rynne, S. B. and Mallett, C. (2011). Coach learning in different countries and cultures: The experiences of foreign coaches. ICCE Global Coach Conference, Paris, France, 25-27 August 2011.

Coach learning in different countries and cultures: The experiences of foreign coaches

2011

Journal Article

Discriminating factors between successful and unsuccessful teams: A case study in elite youth Olympic basketball games

Koh, Koon Teck, Wang, John and Mallett, Clifford (2011). Discriminating factors between successful and unsuccessful teams: A case study in elite youth Olympic basketball games. Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, 7 (3) 21, 21.1-21.14. doi: 10.2202/1559-0410.1346

Discriminating factors between successful and unsuccessful teams: A case study in elite youth Olympic basketball games

2011

Conference Publication

Exploring the lived experiences of Polynesian athletes in rugby league

Panapa, L., Rynne, S. B. and Mallett, C. J. (2011). Exploring the lived experiences of Polynesian athletes in rugby league. Sporting Traditions XVIII, The Past in the Present: Sport History and Popular Culture, Kingscliff, NSW Australia, 3-5 July 2011.

Exploring the lived experiences of Polynesian athletes in rugby league

2011

Conference Publication

A sport leadership program for coaches and sport management: An intervention for enhancing leadership quality to support positive youth development

Chan, J., Hartel, C. and Mallett, C. (2011). A sport leadership program for coaches and sport management: An intervention for enhancing leadership quality to support positive youth development. UQ Business School Research Colloquium, Brisbane, Australia, 23 September 2011. Brisbane, Australia: UQ Business School, The University of Queensland.

A sport leadership program for coaches and sport management: An intervention for enhancing leadership quality to support positive youth development

2011

Book Chapter

Measuring mental toughness in sport: Current status and future directions

Gucciardi, Daniel F., Mallett, Clifford J., Hanrahan, Stephanie J. and Gordon, Sandy (2011). Measuring mental toughness in sport: Current status and future directions. Mental toughness in sport: Developments in research and theory. (pp. 108-132) edited by Daniel Gucciardi and Sandy Gordon. Abingdon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

Measuring mental toughness in sport: Current status and future directions

2011

Conference Publication

High performance coach development: valued learning sources over coaches' careers

Mallett, C. J., Rynne, S. B. and Billett, S. (2011). High performance coach development: valued learning sources over coaches' careers. ICCE Global Coach Conference, Paris, France, 25-27 August 2011.

High performance coach development: valued learning sources over coaches' careers

2011

Book Chapter

Understanding and developing the will to win in sport: Perceptions of parents, coaches, and players

Mallett, Clifford J. and Coulter, Tristan J. (2011). Understanding and developing the will to win in sport: Perceptions of parents, coaches, and players. Mental toughness in sport: Developments in research and theory. (pp. 187-211) edited by Daniel Gucciardi and Sandy Gordon. Abingdon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

Understanding and developing the will to win in sport: Perceptions of parents, coaches, and players

2011

Conference Publication

Autonomy-supportive sports coaching: research and application

Occhino, J., Mallett, C. J. and Rynne, S. B. (2011). Autonomy-supportive sports coaching: research and application. ICCE Global Coach Conference, Paris, France, 25-27 August 2011.

Autonomy-supportive sports coaching: research and application

2010

Journal Article

Holism in sports coaching: Beyond humanistic psychology: A commentary

Mallett, Clifford J. and Rynne, Steven B. (2010). Holism in sports coaching: Beyond humanistic psychology: A commentary. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 5 (4), 453-457. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.5.4.439

Holism in sports coaching: Beyond humanistic psychology: A commentary

2010

Journal Article

Workplace learning of high performance sports coaches

Rynne, Steven B., Mallett, Cliford J. and Tinning, Richard (2010). Workplace learning of high performance sports coaches. Sport Education and Society, 15 (3), 315-330. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2010.493312

Workplace learning of high performance sports coaches

2010

Journal Article

Understanding the change process: valuing what it is that coaches do

Rynne, Steven and Mallett, Clifford (2010). Understanding the change process: valuing what it is that coaches do. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 5 (2), 177-180. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.5.2.177

Understanding the change process: valuing what it is that coaches do

2010

Journal Article

Understanding mental toughness in Australian soccer: Perceptions of players, parents, and coaches

Coulter, Tristan J., Mallett, Clifford J. and Gucciardi, Daniel F. (2010). Understanding mental toughness in Australian soccer: Perceptions of players, parents, and coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28 (7), 699-716. doi: 10.1080/02640411003734085

Understanding mental toughness in Australian soccer: Perceptions of players, parents, and coaches

2010

Book Chapter

Mental toughness

Gucciardi, Daniel F. and Mallett, Clifford J. (2010). Mental toughness. Routledge Handbook of Applied Sport Psychology: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Practitioners. (pp. 547-556) edited by Stephanie Hanrahan and Mark Andersen. Abingdon, Oxon, England ; New York: Routledge.

Mental toughness

2010

Conference Publication

Examination of Singapore PE Teacher-Coaches’ perceived motivational profile and motivational climate: A case study using self-determination theory [Abstract]

Aris, Mohamed, Mallett, Clifford J. and Kawabata, Masato (2010). Examination of Singapore PE Teacher-Coaches’ perceived motivational profile and motivational climate: A case study using self-determination theory [Abstract]. Youth in Physical Education and Sport, Singapore, 25-28 May, 2010. Nanyang, Singapore: National Institute of Education.

Examination of Singapore PE Teacher-Coaches’ perceived motivational profile and motivational climate: A case study using self-determination theory [Abstract]

2010

Conference Publication

Quality coaching and coach education

Mallett, Cliff (2010). Quality coaching and coach education. International Conference for the 30th Anniversary of the Japanese Society of Sport Education, Tokyo, Japan, October 2010. Tokyo, Japan: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology.

Quality coaching and coach education

2010

Book Chapter

Becoming a high-performance coach: Pathways and communites

Mallett, Clifford J. (2010). Becoming a high-performance coach: Pathways and communites. Sports coaching: Professionalism and practice. (pp. 119-134) edited by John Lyle and Chris Cushion. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Becoming a high-performance coach: Pathways and communites

2010

Conference Publication

Examination of the Sport Motivation Scale-6 with Singaporean secondary students

Kawabata, Masato, Aris, Mohamed and Mallett, Clifford J. (2010). Examination of the Sport Motivation Scale-6 with Singaporean secondary students. 4th International Self Determination Theory Conference, Ghent, Belgium, 13-16 May 2010. Belgium: Universiteit Gent.

Examination of the Sport Motivation Scale-6 with Singaporean secondary students

2010

Book Chapter

Conflict management

Mallett, Clifford J. (2010). Conflict management. Routledge Handbook of Applied Sport Psychology: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Practitioners. (pp. 335-344) edited by Stephanie Hanrahan and Mark Andersen. Abingdon, Oxon, England ; New York: Routledge.

Conflict management

2009

Journal Article

Understanding the coach's role in the development of mental toughness: Perspectives of elite Australian football coaches

Gucciardi, Daniel F., Gordon, Sandy, Dimmock, James A. and Mallett, Clifford J. (2009). Understanding the coach's role in the development of mental toughness: Perspectives of elite Australian football coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27 (13), 1483-1496. doi: 10.1080/02640410903150475

Understanding the coach's role in the development of mental toughness: Perspectives of elite Australian football coaches

2009

Journal Article

Optimization of performance in top-level athletes: An action-focused coping approach: A commentary

Mallett, Clifford and Kellmann, Michael (2009). Optimization of performance in top-level athletes: An action-focused coping approach: A commentary. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 4 (1), 71-74. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.4.1.47

Optimization of performance in top-level athletes: An action-focused coping approach: A commentary

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

    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

    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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The pedagogical work of high performance sport coaches.

    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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