Performance psychology: a new chapter for GB Tag
Great Britain Tag is taking a significant step forward in its high-performance approach with the appointment of Richard Dean as Head of Psyche, supported by experienced coach developer Colin Wilson.
In a message to athletes and coaches, Dean set the tone clearly. This is about more than just performance. It is about building an environment where people thrive first, and results follow.
“You represent Great Britain. Wear that badge with pride.”
A shift towards integrated support
As the programme builds towards its next competitive cycle, psychology is being embedded as a core pillar, not an add-on.
The aim is simple:
Support athletes as people
Improve performance under pressure
Translate both into results on the field
Dean’s approach focuses on aligning athletes and coaches under a shared psychological framework.
Meet the team behind the programme
Richard Dean, Head of Psyche
Richard Dean is an elite sport psychology practitioner dedicated to helping high-performance athletes unlock their full potential. With experience across top-tier sport, he brings a performance-focused but people-first approach to the GB Tag environment.
Colin Wilson, Performance Development Support
Colin Wilson brings a complementary skillset across sport and business. A lifelong coach developer, he specialises in leadership and high-performing teams.
He has worked with major organisations including Nokia, HSBC, Barclays and UK Sport, and is the founder of The Business Athlete®, a framework focused on balancing performance with wellbeing and life outside work.
A two-time Commonwealth silver medallist in table tennis, he continues to coach players to international standards.
The three core principles
At the heart of this new direction are three clear principles.
1. Person first, athlete second
Wellbeing comes before performance
External pressures and life factors are recognised
Athletes are supported to arrive mentally clear and present
Better people make better performers.
2. Redefining mental toughness
Mental toughness means control
Staying composed under pressure
Maintaining focus regardless of the scoreboard
This reframes resilience as something practical and trainable.
3. Eliminating interference
Performance equals capability minus interference
Identifying distractions and blockers is key
Both individual and team-level barriers will be addressed
It is a simple model, but one that demands awareness and action.
What happens next
The rollout begins immediately, with Dean attending upcoming camps, starting in Leeds, to connect with the programme.
His early focus:
Listening to athletes and staff
Understanding current challenges
Building tailored psychological support
This marks the start of a longer-term commitment to ensure every athlete has the mental tools to match their physical ability.
The bigger picture
This move signals intent.
GB Tag is not just preparing physically. It is investing in the mental side of performance in a structured, meaningful way.
With a dual approach that blends sport psychology and leadership expertise, the programme is building an environment designed to support both people and performance.
If done well, this could be the difference in the moments that matter most.
Let’s get to work.
