CHINNOR RFC Thame are delighted to be able to enhance our backroom team with the appointment of Jake Lovelock as Performance Psychologist.
He will begin working with our Senior Squad with immediate effect, building on Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe’s implementation of the Theory of Marginal Gains at Kingsey Road.
Jake works in Sport Services for Cognacity, a world leading provider of private mental health services based in Harley Street, London, which boasts a client base including the Springboks as well as professional rugby players, footballers and cricketers across the world.
He will initially interact with our Senior Squad at group and individual level for the purpose of performance enhancement and development, with wider plans to broaden the reach to the rest of the Club and local community.
Jake said: “I’m excited to start working with Chinnor RFC Thame. There’s a fantastic opportunity to build a really positive culture at the Club, and it seems like the team here already have some great ideas on how to get that started. It’s a chance for us to focus on the players, and build a framework for individual resilience both on and off the field. I’ll be looking to support the players across the spectrum of mental health, from developing individual performance and team structure to supporting those who may be struggling with mental health.”
He added: “Looking at the silver lining of recent events, we’ve got a long runway into the season this year, which gives me a great chance to get to know everyone on a one-to-one basis and start to build the squad’s psychological resources early. Steps like these, moving towards becoming a player-centred club, will give Chinnor a great advantage over other teams at this level, and it’s brilliant that I’ve been asked to be a part of that.”
Chinnor RFC Thame Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe said: “I have worked with Jake for more than two years at Cognacity in my capacity as a Performance Coach. He works at the front and back end developing and delivering cutting edge programmes to blue chip companies and supports our world leading psychologists who have worked with teams such
as Chelsea FC, Harlequins, Munster and Sharks. Jake will be a huge resource to Chinnor this season as we continue to come to terms with the impact of COVID-19. He will also give us exposure to the resilience and performance concepts used by the world's leading sports teams.”
