ABSTRACT
This chapter explains why sport can play an important role in developing mental toughness in young people. L. Crust and R. Keegan published an interesting study using sixty-nine male and thirty-six female sports competitors from a range of club to national level in a wide variety of sports, which associated mental toughness with physical risk taking. Long Term Athlete Development is an approach used by many sports organisations and governing bodies to foster a talent pathway from the playground to the podium. The ability to control emotion in particular within a sporting context can be a defining characteristic between success and failure. When working with sports performers, psychologists will often discuss controllable and uncontrollable issues. Sports commentators, pundits, supporters, and performers all recognise the importance of confidence and its effect on a sports performance.
