Biography
Mark has lectured at Newman University since September 2013. Following the completion of his MSc from Loughborough University, Mark moved to Birmingham University where he completed his PhD, post-doctoral research and then lectured. Mark’s PhD was titled ‘The role and development of life skills in young sports participants.’ During his PhD Mark received the Michael K. O’Rourke PhD Publication Award for his 2010 publication featured in the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. This research interest continues with a number of organisations in the midlands that aim to use sport to promote the development of their young people.
Profile
Research Interests
Mark’s research interests span across elite performance and youth development through sport. Specifically, how applied mental skills training, or other support programmes, can be implemented to support the individual’s motivation, learning, well-being, and performance.
Current Teaching
Interests include motor learning and skills acquisition, sport and exercise psychology and activity and well-being.
Membership of Professional Organisations
- Full member of British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
- Full member of Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
Other Activities
Publications, Conferences, and Other Research Activity
Publications
Cooley, S. J., Holland, M. J. G., Cumming, J., Novakovic, E. G., Burns, V. E. (2013). Introducing
the use of a semi-structured video diary room to investigate students’ learning experiences during
an outdoor adventure education groupwork skills course. Higher Education. doi:10.1007/s10734-
013-9645-5
Sharp, L., Holland, M. J. G., Woodcock, C., Cumming, J. & Duda, J. L. (2013). A qualitative
evaluation of a mental skills training program with youth athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 27, 219-
232.
Holland, M. J. G., Woodcock, C., Cumming, J. & Duda, J. L. (2010). Mental qualities and
employed mental techniques of young elite team sport athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport
Psychology, 4, 19-38.
Woodcock, C., Duda, J. L., Cumming, J., Sharp, L., & Holland, M. J. G. (2012). Assessing Mental
Skill and Technique Use in Applied Interventions: Recognizing and Minimizing Threats to the
Psychometric Properties of the TOPS. The Sport Psychologist, 26(1), 1-15.
Woodcock, C., Holland, M. J. G., Duda, J. L. & Cumming, J. (2011). Psychological qualities of elite
adolescent rugby players: parents, coaches, and sport administration staff perceptions and
supporting roles. The Sport Psychologist, 25(4), 411-443.
Holland. M. J. G., Sharp, L., Woodcock, C., Cumming, J., & Duda, J.L. (2010) Validity and
reliability of the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ) with youth athletes. Journal
of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 32, S175-176.
Reports
Burns, V. E., Cumming, J., Cooley, S. J., & Holland, M. J. G. (2012). Developing skills for successful
international groupwork. Report published by the Higher Education Academy: Connections
Scheme.
Cumming, J., Burns, V. E., Cooley, S. J., & Holland, M. J. G. (2012). Messing about on the river:
Evaluating the transfer of skills developed in the outdoors into academia and employment. Report
published by the Higher Education Academy: Teaching Development Grant Scheme.
Conference Participation
Holland, M. J. G., Duda, J.L., Cumming, J., Sharp. L. (2013, Oct). Consulting with National
volunteer coaches of youth athletes. Association of Applied Sport Psychology. New Orleans, LA,
USA.
Cooley, S. J. Cumming, J., Holland, M. J. G., & Burns, V. E. (2013). The internationalisation
benefits of outdoor education: A mixed methods study. The sixth international outdoor education
research conference, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Cooley, S. J. Cumming, J., Holland, M. J. G., & Burns, V. E. (2013). Using outdoor education to
develop teamwork skills in students: Evidence for a return on expectation. The World Outdoor
Summit, New Zealand.
Cooley, S. J., Cumming, J., Holland, M. J. G., & Burns, V. E. (2013). A novel methodological
approach to course evaluation: Introducing the use of a semi-structured video diary room to
capture students’ experiences whilst immersed in outdoor education. The sixth international
outdoor education research conference, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Holland, M. J. G., Cumming, J., Duda, J.L. (2012, July). Developing emotional and attentional
control in young student-athletes through sports participation. International Congress on Science,
Education & Medicine in Sport. Glasgow, UK.
Holland, M.J.G. (2012, Aug). Considerations and strategies when implementing mental skills
training with young elite rugby players. Scottish Rugby Union Annual Coaching Conference. Stirling
University, UK.
Holland, M.J.G. (2010, Aug). Introduction to mental skills training for youth elite rugby coaches.
Stirling, UK.
Holland, M. J. G. (2010, Oct). Evaluating an MST programme: Goals, barriers, and
recommendations. In J. L. Duda (Chair), An action research approach to mental skills training: The
importance of participants’ experiences, multi-modal evaluation and programme evolution.
Association of Applied Sport Psychology Annual Conference. Providence, RI, USA.
Holland, M.J.G., Sharp, L., Woodcock, C., Cumming, J. & Duda, J.L. (2010, June). A multimethod
validation of the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ) with youth athletes.
North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity. Tucson, AZ, USA.
Holland, M. J. G., Woodcock, C., Cumming, J., & Duda, J. L. (2008, Sep). The psychological
qualities and techniques of elite young rugby players. Association of Applied Sport Psychology, St
Louis, MS, USA.
Woodcock, C., Holland, M. J. G., Duda, J. L., & Cumming, J. (2008, Sep). Player and coach
perspectives of the psychological qualities relevant in district level rugby. British Association for
Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Brunel University, West London.
Woodcock, C., Holland, M. J. G., Duda, J. L., & Cumming, J. (2008, Apr). Player and coach
perspectives of the psychological qualities relevant in elite level rugby. British Association for Sport
and Exercise Sciences Annual Student Conference, University of Bedfordshire, Bedford.
Holland, M. J. G., & Vergeer, I. (2005). The relationship between athletes’ achievement goals
and their use of imagery. British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Annual
Student Conference. University of Aberystwyth, Wales.