Mindflick teamed up with the England women's cricket team six months before the 2023 Ashes against Australia, targeting the development of the women's and girls' cricket initiatives.
The focus was broad, aiming to enhance player performance and bolster the support network available to those navigating the international cricket pathway.
THE CHALLENGE
Going into the series, Australia had not lost a series in four years, and England had not won the Ashes for over ten. The team was looking for ways to gain a unique edge and beat a formidable opponent. They were seeking more performance-based conversations to get better, faster.
The fundamental challenge was to help staff build an environment which facilitated performance-based conversations so that players could identify and leverage their strengths while also addressing and managing individual and team challenges—especially those encountered in the high-stress environment of international competition.
THE SOLUTION
Working closely with the England set-up, we integrated Mindflick into the team's day-to-day operations to help players prepare effectively and function at peak performance.
The Mindflick App and Spotlight Profiles were introduced as part of a strategic initiative to foster team and individual growth. On-going work was then facilitated by the team's performance psychologist to embed the thinking to enhance self-awareness among players and staff and encourage more performance-based conversations (e.g., feedback). This led to empty-chair conversations to help the team navigate challenges and armed them with tips on connecting with each other and landing messages effectively.
THE IMPACT
A key outcome was the improvement of team communication, particularly in navigating challenging discussions and pressure situations, facilitated by insights gained from the app.
Played and staff also reported heightened self-awareness and significant improvements in team cohesion and performance, especially under pressure. Mindflick tools enabled this shift thought the development of tailored support strategies for players, contributing to a supportive environment focusing on individual and collective goals.
During the series, England did something no team had done in years, beating Australia in both the one-day and T20 series, and they look to continue using Mindflick tools to further grow performance into future competitions.