Estágio Curricular: Experiência no Desenvolvimento de um Departamento de Psicologia no Futebol de Formação Feminino

Abstract

The primary aim of this internship report is to describe and reflect on the internship carried out with the women's football teams at Futebol Clube do Porto during the 2024/2025 season. The internship goals were to gain practical experience, apply theoretical knowledge, and contribute to the development of women's football within the club. The report begins by contextualising the placement setting and outlining the roles undertaken, including the intervention areas. A brief literature review introduces each area of work, followed by a detailed description and reflection on the activities proposed and executed. These activities consisted by conducting player anamnesis, providing individual psychological support to athletes, delivering workshops, developing strategies such as goal setting and mental imagery, and liaising with coaches, departments, and other staff. Next, it presents a quasi-experimental study involving the implementation of an intervention programme focused on enhancing and reshaping athletes' stress mindsets, tailored to the psychological needs identified. Three under-19 athletes, aged 17 19, participated in this intervention. The results showed individual improvements in irrational beliefs, stress mindset, selected dimensions of self-compassion, perceptions of threat versus challenge, and overall psychological well-being. The report concludes with a comprehensive reflection on the entire internship process. Overall, the placement proved highly enriching: it provided an inside view of a major sports organisation, enabled collaboration across multiple departments, and offered opportunities to apply and deepen academic knowledge in a real-world context.