Home Page

MatchPlaySport is an International Sports Performance Consultancy dedicated to maximising and Inspiring Athlete and Coaching Performance.

Founded and directed by former Great Britain Olympic Head Coach and Team Manager, Andy Wood – We are committed to driving optimal development and performance at all levels across a wide variety of Sports. Having specialist knowledge in Badminton and Racket Sports we provide a range of services including individual and squad performance coaching, Coach Education and mentoring, Performance Planning and Strategy combined with essential elements of Sports Science Support including Mental Fitness, Momentum and Performance Edge Programmes

  • Qualified and actively coaching for over 40 years.
  • Former Great Britain Olympic Head Coach and Team Manager
  • Coach to numerous Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medalists.
  • World Badminton Federation Development Technician and Consultant.
  • Co Founder of Derbyshire Institute of Sport.
  • Former Loughborough University Director of Badminton
  • Former UK Sport “Coach of the Year”
  • Former BBC Sport “ Coach of the Year”

Our Book

MOMENTUM,MATCHFLOW AND THE ART OF COMPETING IN BADMINTON

Our book 'Momentum, MatchFlow and The Art of Competing' is the missing link that many players, coaches and parents can sense when playing or watching matches. Momentum is the reason why the score does not always reflect the state of play, it is why matches ebb and flow and the reason why the better player does not always win. In the book we will take you to the heart of match issues, helping you solve the real problems you face in matches: how to close out leads, how to turn matches around and what to do when things are in the balance. With tactical intelligence and sport psychology at the core, our book is packed with individual insights and methods to help you develop your game. Underpinned by the latest academic research and practical coaching experience, you will gain insights from experts who coach at the top of international sport, as well as working, competing and coaching at all levels. We aim to help players, coaches and parents think about matches in a different way and understand how to develop from match to match.We aim to help players navigate the ebbs and flows of a match and gain a competitive edge. We aim to help coaches focus their coaching on matchplay skills so their players win more often. We aim to help parents to understand the challenges and benefits of matchplay competition in order for them to maximise the effectiveness of their advice and guidance.

Alistair

Andy Wood has over 40 years' professional coaching experience, former professional UK badminton player and Great Britain Olympic Head Coach and Team Manager - Badminton World Federation (BWF) Expert Consultant. Andy was personal coach to the athletes that won the first ever Olympic Medals for Great Britain, Simon Archer and Joanne Goode and Nathan Roberston and Gail Emms. He coached Numerous World, Commonwealth and European Gold Medallists and remarkably in the 2006 World Championships Mixed Doubles finals between Donna Kellogg/Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms. He coached and nurtured all of the players through from childhood.

Alistair

Alistair Higham is an international expert on match play and momentum in sport. His work on momentum includes advising professional tennis players, athletes and teams from a variety of sports. Author of two best selling books on momentum in tennis and football, his work is also showcased in sports exhibitions, the Wimbledon Museum and he presents on momentum at conferences across the world. Formerly, the LTA’s Head of Coach Education, Alistair is currently GB Team Manager for GB Student Team and heads up the GB University Programme for the LTA. He is also a qualified Mentor working on the Premier League's ECAS and EHOC programme and the LTA's mentoring programme.

Matchplaysport Logo
07720 291 779