Professor David Morley
Professor of Children’s Sport, Physical Activity & PE
Summary
David Morley is Head of the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity and a Professor of Youth Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University. He was previously the Associate Dean for Research at Liverpool John Moores University after beginning his academic career at Leeds Metropolitan (now Beckett) University. He has led Undergraduate and Postgraduate provision in the subjects of Physical Education, inclusion, youth sport and talent development. He has also led large-scale evaluative projects and published in the fields of talent development, physical literacy and inclusion for a range of NGBs of sport and national organisations. He has a passion for using sport and Physical Education to improve the lives of children and young people.
About
Dave has been employed in a wide range of roles in a number of career pathways, ranging from the Armed Forces, through to teaching Physical Education, being Head of Strategies in a company specialising in using playgrounds to improve physical activity and two separate periods in academia. He is a pedagogue at heart and his teaching and research interests reflect this. He has developed specialism in youth sport, children’s physical activity and movement and coach education. These specialisms have been applied into a variety of contexts as a research partner with national and international organisations such as the Youth Sport Trust, British Cycling, the Football Association, the Rugby Football League, Sport England, Sport Coach UK, Sport Northern Ireland, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Dave leads the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity in providing an exceptional student experience and has the enviable position of working with extremely committed and passionate colleagues and vibrant, intelligent students.
Specialist areas of interest
Children’s movement
Coach education
Talent development
Inclusion
Teaching
Courses
Physical Education and School Sport
Sport Coaching
Sport Development with Coaching
Research
Developing a teacher-informed movement assessment tool for children aged 4-7 years (Part of the Global Children’s Movement Concept, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust)
Evaluating the ‘wash out’ effect of grassroots coaches (in partnership with The Football Association and British Cycling)
Developing an anti-doping educational support tool for adolescents in sport (iPlayClean) (In partnership with Hull University and the International Olympic Committee)
Publications
Journal articles
Jones, R.J., Mckeever, J.T., & Morley, D. (2023). ‘Now I think you have been bewitching and bewildering me’: The utilisation of Aporia in Game-Based Approaches as a means of deconstructing and reconstructing power relations. European Physical Education Review, 29 (4), 512-529. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x231160481
Maher, A., van Rossum, T., & Morley, D. (2023). Assessing the learning of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream school physical education. British Educational Research Journal, 49 (1), 110-125. http://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3832
Gavigan, N., Belton, S., Whyte, E., O’Connor, S., Morley, D., & Issartel, J. (2022). Design of a new movement competence assessment for children aged 8–12: A Delphi poll study. European Physical Education Review, 28 (4), 985-1005. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x221102703
Prieto-Ayuso, A., León, M.P., Contreras-Jordán, O.R., & Morley, D. (2022). Spanish physical education teachers’ perceptions of talent development. European Physical Education Review, 28 (1), 3-19. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x211010838
Van Rossum, T., Foweather, L., Hayes, S., Richardson, D., & Morley, D. (2021). Expert recommendations for the design of a teacher-oriented movement assessment tool for children aged 4-7 years: a Delphi study. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 25 (4), 283-293. http://doi.org/10.1080/1091367x.2021.1876070
Morley, D., Miller, A., Rudd, J., Issartel, J., Goodway, J., O’Connor, D., ... van Rossum, T. (2021). Exploring Coaches’ Perceptions of the Feasibility of a Movement-Oriented Games-Based Assessment Within “Made to Play” Programs. International Sport Coaching Journal, 8 (3), 303-314. http://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2020-0038
Morley, D., Banks, T., Haslingden, C., Kirk, B., Parkinson, S., Van Rossum, T., ... Maher, A. (2021). Including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities in mainstream secondary physical education: A revisit study. European Physical Education Review, 27 (2), 401-418. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x20953872
Morley, D., Rudd, J., Issartel, J., Goodway, J., O'Connor, D., Foulkes, J., ... Miller, A. (2021). Rationale and study protocol for the Movement Oriented Games Based Assessment (MOGBA) cluster randomized controlled trial: A complex movement skill intervention for 8-12 year old children within 'Made to Play'. PloS one, 16 (6), e0253747. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253747
Nicholls, A., Morley, D., Thompson, M., Huang, C., Abt, G., Rothwell, M., ... Ntoumanis, N. (2020). The effects of the iPlayClean Education Programme on doping attitudes and susceptibility to use banned substances among high-level adolescent athletes from the UK: A cluster-randomised control trial. International Journal of Drug Policy, 82, 102820. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102820
Maher, A.J., & Morley, D. (2019). The Self stepping into the shoes of the Other: Understanding and developing self-perceptions of empathy among prospective physical education teachers through a special school placement. European Physical Education Review, 1356336X1989036. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X19890365
van Rossum, T., Foweather, L., Richardson, D., Hayes, S.J., & Morley, D. (2018). Primary Teachers’ Recommendations for the Development of a Teacher-Oriented Movement Assessment Tool for 4–7 Years Children. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 1-11. http://doi.org/10.1080/1091367x.2018.1552587
Morley, D., Van Rossum, T., Richardson, D., & Foweather, L. (2018). Expert recommendations for the design of a children’s movement competence assessment tool for use by primary school teachers. European Physical Education Review. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x17751358
Whitehead, A.E., Umeh, K., Quayle, L., & Morley, D. (2017). Mobile technology usage mediates gender differences in physical activity. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 48 (6). http://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP.2017.48.643
Maher, A., Morley, D., Fimusanmi, J., & Ogilvie, P. (2017). The impact of a special school placement on self-perceptions of confidence and competence among prospective PE teachers. European Physical Education Review. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x17746949
Morley, D., McKenna, J., Gilbert, S., French, J., Till, K., Quarmby, T., & Turner, G. (2017). Can’t pay, can’t play? Talent lead’s perspectives on the financial constraints experienced by athletes on the England Talent Pathway. High Ability Studies, 29 (1), 51-64. http://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2017.1341389
Morley, D., Maher, A., Walsh, B., Dinning, T., Lloyd, D., & Pratt, A. (2017). Making reasonable adjustments for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities: pre-service teachers' perceptions of an online support resource. British Journal of Special Education, 44 (2), 203-219. http://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12175
Hobbs, M., Daly-Smith, A., McKenna, J., Quarmby, T., & Morley, D. (2017). Reconsidering current objectives for physical activity within physical education. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports-2016. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097328
Till, K., Morley, D., O’Hara, J., Jones, B.L., Chapman, C., Beggs, C.B., ... Cobley, S. (2017). A retrospective longitudinal analysis of anthropometric and physical qualities that associate with adult career attainment in junior rugby league players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20 (11), 1029-1033. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.018
Whitehead, A.E., Jones, H.S., Williams, E.L., Dowling, C., Morley, D., Taylor, J.A., & Polman, R.C. (2017). Changes in cognition over a 16.1 km cycling time trial using Think Aloud protocol : preliminary evidence. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-9. http://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2017.1292302
Morley, D., Ogilvie, P., Till, K., Rothwell, M., O'Connor, D., & McKenna, J. (2016). Does modifying competition affect the frequency of technical skills in junior rugby league? International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 11 (6), 810-818. http://doi.org/10.1177/1747954116676107
Miller, A., Harvey, S., Morley, D., Nemes, R., Janes, M., & Eather, N. (2016). Exposing athletes to playing form activity: outcomes of a randomised control trial among community netball teams using a game-centred approach. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35 (18), 1846-1857. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1240371
Sampaio, J., Till, K., Jones, B.L., Cobley, S., Morley, D., O'Hara, J., ... Beggs, C.B. (2016). Identifying Talent in Youth Sport: A Novel Methodology Using Higher-Dimensional Analysis. PLOS ONE, 11 (5), e0155047. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155047
Nicholls, A.R., Morley, D., & Perry, J.L. (2016). Mentally tough athletes are more aware of unsupportive coaching behaviours: Perceptions of coach behaviour, motivational climate, and mental toughness in sport. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 11 (2), 172-181. http://doi.org/10.1177/1747954116636714
Nicholls, A.R., Morley, D., & Perry, J.L. (2016). The Model of Motivational Dynamics in Sport: Resistance to Peer Influence, Behavioral Engagement and Disaffection, Dispositional Coping, and Resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 6. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02010
Morley, D., Till, K., Ogilvie, P., & Turner, G. (2015). Influences of gender and socioeconomic status on the motor proficiency of children in the UK. Human Movement Science, 44, 150-156. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.08.022
Till, K., Cobley, S., Morley, D., O’hara, J., Chapman, C., & Cooke, C. (2015). The influence of age, playing position, anthropometry and fitness on career attainment outcomes in rugby league. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (13), 1240-1245. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1105380
Morley, D., Pyke, D., & Till, K. (2015). An Investigation into the Use of a Movement Assessment Protocol for Under-14 Rugby League Players in a Talent Development Environment. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 10 (4), 623-636. http://doi.org/10.1260/1747-9541.10.4.623
Hobbs, M., Daly-Smith, A., Morley, D., & McKenna, J. (2015). A case study objectively assessing female physical activity levels within the National Curriculum for Physical Education. European Physical Education Review, 21 (2), 149-161. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X14555296
Till, K., Cobley, S., O’Hara, J., Morley, D., Chapman, C., & Cooke, C. (2015). Retrospective analysis of anthropometric and fitness characteristics associated with long-term career progression in Rugby League. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 18 (3), 310-314. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.05.003
Morley, D., Morgan, G., McKenna, J., & Nicholls, A.R. (2014). Developmental Contexts and Features of Elite Academy Football Players: Coach and Player Perspectives. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 9 (1), 217-232. http://doi.org/10.1260/1747-9541.9.1.217
Nicholls, A.R., Perry, J.L., Jones, L., Morley, D., & Carson, F. (2013). Dispositional coping, coping effectiveness, and cognitive social maturity among adolescent athletes. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 35 (3), 229-238. http://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.35.3.229
Nicholls, A., Polman, R., Morley, D., & Taylor, N.J. (2009). Coping and coping effectiveness in relation to a competitive sport event: pubertal status, chronological age, and gender among adolescent athletes. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 31 (3), 299-317. http://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.31.3.299
Bailey, R., Morley, D., & Dismore, H. (2009). Talent development in physical education: a national survey of policy and practice in England. Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy, 14 (1), 59-72. http://doi.org/10.1080/17408980701712007
Bailey, R., & Morley, D. (2006). Towards a model of talent development in physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 11 (3), 211-230. http://doi.org/10.1080/13573320600813366
Morley, D., Bailey, R., Tan, J., & Cooke, B. (2005). Inclusive Physical Education: teachers’ views of including pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities in Physical Education. European Physical Education Review, 11 (1), 84-107. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x05049826
Bailey, R., Tan, J.E.C., & Morley, D. (2004). Talented pupils in physical education: secondary school teachers' experiences of identifying talent within the ‘Excellence in Cities’ scheme. Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy, 9 (2), 133-148. http://doi.org/10.1080/1740898042000294958
Holt, N.L., & Morley, D. (2004). Gender Differences in Psychosocial Factors Associated with Athletic Success during Childhood. The Sport Psychologist, 18 (2), 138-153. http://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.18.2.138
Morley, D. (1986). ‘Save British Science’. Higher Education Quarterly, 40 (2), 97-99. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2273.1986.tb01454.x
Morley, D., & Bailey, R. (n.d.). Identifying and providing for talented pupils in physical education: a Strategic approach. British Journal of Teaching Physical Education.
Morley, D., Turner, G., Roberts, A.H., Lidums, M., Melvin, I., Nicholson, M., & Donaldson, A. (n.d.). What do coaches want to know about identifying, developing, supporting and progressing athletes through a national performance pathway? Sports Coaching Review, 1-24. http://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2022.2142409
Book chapters
van Rossum, T., & Morley, D. (2018). The role of digital technology in the assessment of children’s movement competence during primary school physical education lessons. In Digital Technology in Physical Education. (pp. 48-68). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9780203704011-4
Morley, D., Till, K., Cobley, S., O'connor, D., & Cupples, B. (2015). Talent identification and development for rugby. In The Science of Sport: Rugby.
Morley, D., & Bailey, R. (2013). Talent in Sport. In Directory of Sport Sciences, 5th Edition.
Morley, D., Keay, J., Haydn-Davies, D., Raymond, C., & Maude, T. (2012). Start to Move: curriculum framework for Key Stage 1 Physical Education. In Start to Move: curriculum framework for Key Stage 1 Physical Education.
Morley, D., & Muir, B. (2012). Becoming CAYPABLE: Level 1 coach qualification support resource. In Becoming CAYPABLE: Level 1 coach qualification support resource.
Morley, D. (2011). Establishing a Talent Development pathway: theory into practice. In Sports Coaching A Reference Guide for Students, Coaches and Competitors. Crowood
Morley, D. (2011). A ‘Fit for purpose strategy’ for the Rugby Football League. In Sports Coaching A Reference Guide for Students, Coaches and Competitors. Crowood
Morley, D. (2011). Multi-skills contexts and constraints. In Sports Coaching A Reference Guide for Students, Coaches and Competitors. Crowood
Morley, D., & Bailey, R. (2011). Modelling Long-Term Athlete development in sport. In Sports Coaching A Reference Guide for Students, Coaches and Competitors. Crowood
Morley, D. (2011). Coaching in schools. In Coaching Children in Sport. Taylor & Francis
Morley, D., & Bailey, R. (2010). Supporting Gifted and Talented Pupils in Physical Education. In Physical Education for Learning A Guide for Secondary Schools. A&C Black
(n.d.). Coaching Children in Sport. Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9780203850688
Books
Morley, D., & Bailey, R. (n.d.). Meeting the Needs of Your Most Able Pupils: Physical Education and Sport. Routledge. http://doi.org/10.4324/9780203823217
Theses / Dissertations
Van Rossum, T. (2018). Development of a teacher-oriented movement assessmenttool for children aged 4-7 years. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Morley, D. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00143
Postgraduate supervision
Developing a teacher-informed movement assessment tool for children aged 4-7 years (Part of the Global Children’s Movement Concept, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust)
Evaluating the ‘wash out’ effect of grassroots coaches (Level 1) (in partnership with The Football Association
Evaluating the ‘wash out’ effect of grassroots coaches (Level 2) (in partnership with The Football Association
Evaluating the ‘wash out’ effect of grassroots coaches (in partnership with British Cycling)
Investigating the impact of Fear of Failure on Student Engagement throughout KS3 and 4 Physical Education?
Coaches’ experiences of high performance sport. (2013) Northumbria University
Talent mentalities: Young people’s experiences of being talented (2015) Liverpool John Moores University
The paradox of English sport development policy and practice: Examining the mass participation agenda during an era of austerity and continued change. (2016) Liverpool John Moores University