New paper: “The sport is not the difficult bit – getting there is”

We are pleased to share a new paper from the SPRINT Project exploring the experiences of a neurodivergent athlete navigating sport.

Published in Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology, this paper presents a self-case study of Kirsty's experiences as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autistic athlete.

Why this paper matters

Interest in neurodivergence in sport has grown rapidly, alongside recognition that current sporting environments are not always designed with neurodivergent athletes in mind.

However, much of what we know still comes from elite sport or from research conducted about athletes rather than with them. This paper addresses that gap by bringing forward a first-hand account by Kirsty based on her experiences as a sub-elite and club-level athlete.

This distinction is important. Community and pathway sport environments often differ substantially from elite systems, yet they are where many athletes train, compete, and develop.

A lived experience perspective

The paper is written as a self-case study, combining lived experience with academic analysis. Kirsty reflects on her own sporting and diagnostic journey, from being undiagnosed to publicly sharing her experiences.

Her experiences span both team and individual sports, particularly cricket and golf, offering insight into how different sporting environments shape her participation.

Importantly, this is not positioned as a universal account. Instead, it provides a detailed, situated perspective that highlights the diversity of neurodivergent experiences.

Key insights

The paper discusses three interrelated themes that shed light on how Kirsty experiences and navigates sport:

1. Integrating into sport cultures

For Kirsty, the challenge is often not the sport itself, but the social and cultural demands surrounding it:

• The predictability and intensity of social interactions varies across sports

• “Unwritten rules” and ambiguity in sporting culture can create uncertainty

• Masking (adapting behaviour to fit expectations) carries a significant emotional and energy cost

These insights highlight how inclusion is shaped not only by formal structures, but by everyday practices and expectations.

2. Approaches to training and coaching

The paper challenges assumptions about how athletes think, focus, and learn by highlighting how:

• Neurodivergent athletes may process information differently

• Strengths, such as rapid decision-making, can be misinterpreted as lack of focus

• Coaching that is flexible, individualised, and responsive to preferences can enhance both performance and enjoyment

This reinforces the importance of moving away from one-size-fits-all coaching approaches.

3. Expectations and demands in sport

One of the most striking findings is that the most demanding aspects of sport for Kirsty are often those that sit outside performance:

• Organisation, time management, and preparation can be major sources of stress

• Additional responsibilities or expectations can increase anxiety and reduce performance

• Practical and low-key support from others can make a substantial difference

As the paper’s title suggests, “getting there” can be more difficult than the sport itself.

What can we take from this?

The paper offers a number of practical implications for coaches, practitioners, and organisations:

• Take an individualised approach – needs and preferences vary widely

• Be open and curious – avoid assumptions about behaviour or motivation

• Support autonomy and flexibility – allow athletes to shape how they train and compete

• Recognise hidden demands – social, organisational, and sensory factors matter

• Focus on strengths – difference should not be equated with deficit

These are not complex interventions, but they require a shift in how sporting environments are understood and structured.

Looking ahead

This paper also highlights priorities for future research, particularly the need to:

• Centre neurodivergent voices in research

• Include diverse participants across levels and contexts

• Design research methods that are accessible and inclusive

Final thoughts

This case study offers a nuanced account of what it means to be a neurodivergent athlete in sport. It challenges assumptions, draws on lived experience, and provides a clear call for more inclusive practices.

For researchers, practitioners, and organisations alike, it provides a valuable reminder: supporting athletes effectively requires attention not only to performance, but to the broader environments in which sport takes place.

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To reference Kirsty's paper: Brown, K. R., Johnston, A., Ambegaokar, S., Quinton, M. L., Murphy, S., Cumming, J., Chandon, J. S., & Cumming, J. (2026). “The sport Is not the difficult bit, but getting there is”: The experiences of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic female athlete navigating sport. Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology. https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1123/csspp.2025-0012