The Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP‑UCP), the School of Psychology of the University of Minho (EPsi-U.M.), and the Viana do Castelo Football Association (AFVC) have formalised a five-year cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening the link between academic research and the context of grassroots and high-performance sport.
The agreement was signed under the coordination of Catarina Morais, Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and the Postgraduate Programme in Sport and Performance Psychology at FEP‑UCP, and establishes collaboration in the field of Psychology, with a focus on supporting young athletes, organisational structures (coaches and officials), and referee teams of the AFVC.
Research in real-world settings
Within the framework of this protocol, FEP‑UCP, together with EPsi-U.M., will have access to data collection involving young athletes, organisational structures and referees of the Viana do Castelo Football Association. These data will be used for the development of scientific studies. The two institutions will also jointly oversee the project from the perspective of psychological assessment and intervention, ensuring scientific and pedagogical support for the activities carried out.
Integration of junior psychologists
The protocol also stipulates that, each year, the Viana do Castelo Football Association will host a junior psychologist within the scope of this partnership. This integration will enable the practical application of knowledge in a sports context, while simultaneously contributing to student training and to the psychological support provided to the sports stakeholders involved.
With this agreement, FEP‑UCP strengthens its connection with the community and its development of projects that combine research, training and intervention in real-world contexts.
