Maddox Osaka Friday D ec 15, 2023

Final Capstone Proposal and Reflection

My name is Maddox Osaka I’m a grade 12 student at Re Mountain Secondary

School. The topic of my Capstone projects is sports psychology and the focus area for
it is coming up with a product. My inquiry question. “Is sports psychology beneficial
to young goalies? How does this compare to an older goalie who’s at the age of 17?
The presentation method that I will be using for my Capstone project is a well
detailed slide presentation. The presentation time and date for my Capstone is on
January 16, 2024. Within a 15–20-minute time window.

In my Capstone project I talk about key information the provides my target

audience. Which are parents whose kids are young and inspiring goalies between the
age of 8-12. With a well thought out and backed up presentation. Regarding the
importance of using the benefits of sports psychology at a younger age, rather than
older. I go over what sports psychology is and why it’s important. Why it’s better for
young goalies to start using sports psychology early, as it gives them a mental
advantage later in their careers. Then I proceed to talk about the four C’s. Which are
control, commitment, confidence, and challenge. Next, I go into depth about some
important points that young goalies need to grasp at an early age. That comprise of
stress management, mental and physical preparation, and the value of pre-game
scouting. Lastly, I explained the significance of using mental exercises such as the
four approaches to a game, controllable/uncontrollable/influenceable,
threat/challenge/opportunity, and goal setting for your hockey season. Providing
strong and well detail examples of me personally doing them with my own sports
psychologist. As well as how to properly perform the mental exercises by yourself or
with you own sports psychologist/guardian.

As a goalie myself, I have demonstrated an admirable level of self-awareness

and accountability by supporting the early introduction of sports psychology. My
own understanding of the value of applying suitable information highlights a
deliberate and knowledgeable approach to a goalie's athletic growth. Stressing the
benefits of incorporating sports psychology early in a young goalie's career instead of
later. Displaying not just a thorough knowledge of the topic but also a dedication to
personal development and performance enhancement. This viewpoint exhibits a
proactive and accountable mentality, showcasing my commitment to realising a
young goalies full potential and help them develop mental toughness from the very
beginning of their hockey careers. In simple terms, I emphasised the significance of
sports psychology throughout a goalie's development. Which is an attest to my
mature and self-aware approach to helping young goalie's reach the highest level
they can in the sport of hockey.

My support of early sports psychology incorporation for young goalie's

displays a strong sense of social responsibility in addition to personal awareness.
Addressing the importance of utilising relevant data to strengthen my position and
how it adds to the larger conversation about goalie development. Potentially
impacting others in the hockey community. My focus on the advantages of sports
psychology for young goalies conveys a subliminal message that goes beyond
personal development, encouraging a mental health and complete well-being
culture within the goalie community. So, by adopting a position that puts the
younger generation first, I've added to a body of knowledge that has the potential to
favourably influence hockey training and goalie specific support systems in the
future. Thus, my conversation advances not only my own growth but also the larger
social duty of creating a safer and better-informed playing field for future goalies to
come.

My careful examination and analysis of relevant facts demonstrates my

critical thinking skills as I'm able to advocate for young goalies to adopt sports
psychology early on. Instead of depending on popular belief or current events.
Providing a thorough research on the benefits of introducing sports psychology to
younger students. My emphasis on the developmental impact on mental resilience
and performance demonstrates my ability to make sense of seemingly unrelated
data and come to logical conclusions regarding the best time to implement
psychological intervention. Also, my critical viewpoint considers the potential for
long-term positive effects on a goalie's career trajectory and evaluates them with a
strong sense of diligence. This complex approach demonstrates my ability to assess
the material and make defensible conclusions, which adds to a much deeper
comprehension of the part sports psychology plays in the overall development of
young goalie's.

My explanation for the significance of introducing sports psychology to

goalies at an early age demonstrates my strong communication abilities. The
message I've created will stick with my audience if I can clearly communicate the
important elements, like the long-term and developmental benefits. A wide range of
people, including coaches, players, and parents, can better grasp the argument for
early sports psychology adoption thanks to my ability to condense complex
knowledge into understandable ideas. In addition, my excellent wording and
captivating storytelling approach draws in listeners, creating a bond and inspiring
them to contemplate the significant influence of mental preparation in a goalie's
early development. In broad terms, my ability to communicate is crucial to making a
strongly backed up solid and convincing case for the thoughtful application of sports
psychology to young goalies.

In addition to demonstrating personal awareness, my explanation for the

discussion and value of integrating sports psychology early in goalie training. Also
demonstrates a grasp of my own cultural identity within the sports community. I can
challenge conventional wisdom on goalie development by supporting a new
approach to mental conditioning and integrating my own identity with a progressive
attitude. My own understanding of the cultural background of sports, especially
hockey, demonstrates a knowledge of the standards and values of this community.
Furthermore, my focus on early intervention shows that I understand the special
opportunities and problems that exist within the goalie culture. My overall
contribution to the discussion by making a point that is consistent with my own
identity while taking the larger cultural context into consideration. I add something
new to the continuing story of how sports psychology is developing, demonstrating
an in-depth understanding of how cultural factors and individual identity interact
when it comes to being a goalie.

I already knew quite a bit, since I have been working with a sports
psychologist for a while now. However, even I don’t know everything about the
topic. So, I was able to learn even more about all the different purposes of sports
psychology and what it does mentally for athletes in sports. But something I didn’t
know about that I learned was the four C’s. Which stand for control, commitment,
confidence, and challenge. Especially what critical role each “C” does to keep
athletes in check on all different mental levels. Something that I for sure learned
about, regarding my own personal mental skill set. Are how much more exercises I
can utilize to keep improving my mental game. But most importantly how much I
already know about sports psychology and what exercises that I’ve used to help
myself improve mentally in the game of hockey. Lastly something I learned about
myself, is that I may know a lot. Nevertheless, I can always learn more from my
failures and my successes. As its to be celebrated, regardless of whether its positive
or negative. As I can learn more from both.

My project is relevant to me because I play hockey and the position, I play is

goalie. The goalie position is arguably the most mentally demanding to play. As your
chance of winning a game partially rides on whether you can prevent the puck from
going into the net or not. Keeping the goals against you to a minimum. The mental
side of the game was getting to me just over three years ago. So, I sought out the
help from a sports psychologist whose name is Andrei. Andrei was able to get me
mentally on track again and get me back to playing my best hockey. Whom I owe a
lot to for getting me where I am today. This is relevant to school for one because it’s
the topic for my capstone project. But the other reason is because sports psychology
is a subject that I could take if I chose to go post-secondary school. As like previously
stated I already know so much and continue to learn more every day. It’s relevant to
the goalie community in the sport of hockey because the mental aspect of being a
goalie is extremely tough to deal with. So, I could use all this information I gathered
on my capstone and share it with the younger generation of goalies. To help them
improve their own mental game as a goalie.

The impact that my Capstone had on me. Was it tested me on my own

knowledge of sports psychology and how well I’m able to break down the key
information that I wanted to bring up in the Capstone project. Including what I
wanted to base the project solely around and my target audience for it. Considering
it was a challenge for me at the start to figure out all those things.

I’m most proud of how much information on the topic I was able to gather.
Especially all the key stuff that can be very helpful for young goalies in general.
Sports psychology is a subject that all goalies should get involved with. Because it’s
important for goalies to know a lot about it. But another thing I’m proud of is how
I’m able to compare my mental struggles as a goalie with other goalies. Considering
I’ve learned so much over the course of the last three years. I can help prepare them
for mental struggles that may get in there way in the future.

At first a difficulty I encountered was what I wanted to talk about in my

Capstone project because there’s so much information to go over. It even got to a
point where I was completely stuck and didn’t know what to talk about. But, luckily
with the help of my own sports psychologist mentor. I was able to get quite a bit of
ideas and information that I could use and build off to create my project. Such as the
jam board stuff that we did during our zoom meetings. Another person who was
able to help me break down what I wanted to talk about. Was my amazing careers
teacher Mrs. Redfern who helped me figure out more about what I should put into
my Capstone presentation, through my Capstone brainstorm.

I wouldn’t change much. However, If I were to change something about my

project. I would probably go more into depth about paying attention to the little
things in both your mental and physical preparation. Everyone has their own way of
getting themselves completely locked in and even have little superstitions that they
must do in an order before a game. These kinds of things are important because
sometimes you might feel off going into a game because you didn’t do your pre-
game warm-up in the right order you wanted to. So, by really paying attention to the
little things in your own pre-game warm-up, it lets you know you're ready to go.
 Some advice I would offer to future Capstone students. Is one find a topic
you’re interested in, not something you want to do because it’s easy. Second,
brainstorm everything you think is suitable to making your Capstone project stand
out from the others. Third don’t leave it to the last second and make sure to put a lot
of effort into it. Lastly get all the help you can because it’s important to gather
perspectives from more than just yourself. As perhaps that person may have an idea
that will help make your Capstone that much better.