







Observe analyse refine_
When you work in a performance environment you need to be the best - to lead the pack. Meet Grey Matters. The company with genuine research AND sporting prowess. We don’t just use the research, we create it then build it around you.


Perfect performances are, by definition, very rare. Our approach to working with you respects your drive and determination, but also joins you in this pursuit. As performers progress, poor sessions become OK, OK sessions turn good, and excellent outcomes become more usual.
In parallel, our work with support staff, especially coaches, equips them to enable the pursuit of excellence. From a systems perspective, we also work with you to develop practical but optimum solutions to address the challenges you face.
Read moreTriangular approach
As scientists, we’ll evaluate and understand all the elements of your challenge. As active researchers, we’ll design ‘made to measure’ solutions. As applied practitioners, we’ll keep things clear and simple but, as Einstein said, no simpler. Expect rigorous evaluation, evidence-based solutions and minimal jargon.
Read moreNews

Too Many Cooks, Not Enough Gourmets: Examining Provision and Use of Feedback for the Developing Athlete
This study began after a conversation with a player I was coaching. Between academy, school, international and senior te...
21st March 2022
What is Biopsychosocial?
There is currently lots of discussion about the concept of Biopsychosocial in the sporting world at the moment -...
4th March 2022
Feedback in Coaching - Seeing it Differently
Traditionally in sport, we see the provision of feedback as a one-way activity. Coach sp...
25th February 2022
Creating and Keeping a Culture: Lighting Up the ‘Dark Side’ of Sports Directorship in Football
As with any new-ish profession, it seems fair to say that football is still findings its feet when it comes to S...
28th May 2019
Do YOU work in a “Chesil Beach” Organisation?
On the south (Jurassic) coast of England there is an eighteen-mile long pile of small stones called Chesil Beach...
16th August 2018
The Daily Mile – Cracking the obesity crisis or papering over the cracks?
Of the many health issues and concerns facing our society, the obesity crisis is the most significant. When obesity rate...
15th August 2018
Mental Health in Elite Performers - different challenges AND different skills
Concern with mental health is a hot topic across all aspects of human behaviour....
5th June 2018
The Triangular Approach
A key philosophy used by all of us at Grey Matters UK is that of the triangular approach in the way that we work with ou...
3rd May 2018
Learning in your sleep
We bought a piano at Christmas for our daughter, with the express purpose of she and I learning ...
26th February 2018
Pacing your fear
I have the pleasure of working with New Zealand Ski and Snowboard. The three events of ...
31st January 2018
Failing to succeed
In the old days, people used to talk about sport as character building. You might recall the famous quote about ...
29th January 2018
“In my experience…”
For many people, experience is a wonderful thing! Almost from birth, we are brought up to respect age si...
26th January 2018
It depends…
One of the biggest contributions of the internet has been an exp...
26th January 2018
They call it performance psychology for a reason...
When we talk about Performance Psychology, your first thought is sport. Next thought is often business, ...
26th January 2018
What to look for in a performance psychologist
Performance psychology is a growing business. It has taken a while but people seem to be catching on to ...
26th January 2018
A leap forward in performance
To find out how Grey Matters can take you or your athletes to the next level click below to get in touch.
Contact us
A message from Dave Collins
Performance psychologistIn an increasingly confused world of ‘sciency’ researchers and commercial gurus, Grey Matters focus on providing a clear, evidence-based service that puts YOU in charge.
View Dave on LinkedIn