Ian Maynard 8.12.1956 – 14.3.2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Ian Maynard, a pioneering figure in sport and exercise psychology whose contributions shaped the field and impacted generations of students, researchers, and practitioners. Ian passed away when at home on 14th March 2025 after battling cancer for the past 15 months. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence in research, applied practice, and mentorship.
Ian began his career as a physical education teacher, dedicating seven years to teaching before pursuing a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology at the University of Victoria (Canada). He later earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Southampton, marking the beginning of an illustrious academic journey.
Ian was a Professor of Sport Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University from 1999 to 2017, where he also served as Director of the Research Centre for Sport and Exercise Science. In 2017, he became the Founding Professor of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Science at the University of Essex, where he continued to influence the next generation of sport psychologists. Over his career, Ian published over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and served as Editor of The Sport Psychologist and the Journal of Sport Psychology in Action.
A highly respected applied practitioner, Ian worked with elite athletes and teams across multiple sports. He served as a sport psychologist at two Olympic Games (Barcelona and Athens), two Commonwealth Games (Victoria and Manchester), and numerous World Championships. He was a consultant for organizations such as the British Olympic Association, British Swimming, the Great Britain Diving Squad, England Bowls, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (English Elite Soccer Referees), and the English Golf Union, among many others.
Ian was an accredited sport psychologist with BASES (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences) since 1988 and played a key role in developing the professional standards of sport psychology in the UK. He served as Executive Secretary of BASES, Chair of the Psychology Section, and a member of the Accreditation and Fellowship Committee. In recognition of his contributions, he was elected a Fellow of BASES in 2004 and received the BASES Applied Practitioner of the Year award in 2005. His influence extended internationally, earning him Fellowship status in the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) in 2007 and the Distinguished Professional Practice Award in 2015.
Above all, Ian was a devoted husband and father. He was a loving husband to Rachel and father to Chloe and Jack. His family was at the heart of his life, and his warmth, humor, and guidance will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.