International Society of Sport Psychology
Fellow Status

ISSP Mission
The International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) is an organization devoted topromoting research, practice, and development in the discipline of sport psychology
throughout the world. The ISSP is a multidisciplinary association of scholars whose
research interests focus on some aspects of sport psychology. The Society exists to(a) encourage and promote the study of human behavior within sport, physicalactivity, and health settings; (b) facilitate the sharing of knowledge through a
newsletter, meetings and a quadrennial congress, and (c) improve the quality of
research and professional practice in sport psychology. The Society also endeavors
to foster peace and understanding among people from all countries. Members of theSociety include researchers, psychologists, educators, coaches and administrators,
as well as students and athletes interested in sport psychology.
The ISSP is the only worldwide organization of scholars explicitly concerned withsport psychology. It was formed in 1965 under the direction of Dr. Ferruccio
Antonelli of Italy, since has had General Assembly meetings every four years
during the World Congress. The truly international flavor of the ISSP is illustrated
by its numerous members from a variety of countries, and the diverse locations ofpast World Congresses, which include: Rome, Italy (1965), Washington, USA(1968), Madrid, Spain (1973), Prague, Czechoslovakia (1977), Ottawa, Canada(1981), Copenhagen, Denmark (1985), Singapore (1989), Lisbon, Portugal (1993),Telaviv, Israel (1997), Skiathos, Greece (2001), Sydney, Australia (2005)
Marrakesh, Morocco (2009), Beijing, China (2013)，and Sevilla, Spain (2017).

ISSP Recognitions
Presently there are three formats of recognition offered by the International Society ofSport Psychology. Each award is discussed in turn, to situate the current proposal.
The Distinguished International Sport Psychology Award is the highest award givenby the ISSP. This award is given in recognition of outstanding and distinguished, long term,
original contributions to the advancement of sport psychology. These award recipients (a)Have made substantial and original contributions to research through peer-reviewed
publications, articles in professional journals, books, and conference presentations, over asignificant period of time; and (b) Be recognized for their academic and professional
leadership in sport psychology at the highest level over a significant period of time.

Upon review of this award, it is bestowed upon one (in one occasion twice) longstanding
member each four years at the ISSP Conference. There are also instances when a four- year
cycle does not include an award recipient for this award. Presently there are only ten award
winners listed at the ISSP website, spanning 1989-2017.
The ISSP Honor Award is presented in recognition of significant contributions to national
and international sport psychology through leadership, research, and/or other professional
service. Award recipients meet the following criteria: (a) Hold a doctorate degree (or itsequivalent) for a least 10 years standing; and/or (b) Have published extensively inrecognized sport psychology and sport science journals; and/or (c) Have made a significant
contribution in the areas of professional practice over at least a 10 year period; and/or (d)Have provided significant service to national and international professional societies overa period of at least 10 years.
This award has been granted with more frequency than the aforementioned DistinguishedInternational Sport Psychology Award. From 1989-2017, 15 members were granted thisrecognition. Of these people, five members were granted this award during the inaugurallaunch, with ten additional members spanning 1993-2017. There are also instances when afour- year cycle does not include an award recipient for this award.
The ISSP Developing Scholar Award is presented to developing sport psychologists inacknowledgement of their contributions to excellence in research and scholarly activity.
This award specifically focuses on emerging scholars with no more than seven years postgraduation with a doctorate. This recognition is bestowed upon applicants who’ve achieved
significant contributions to the global field of sport and exercise psychology within thisformative time period of a career.
This award has been granted to ten ISSP members spanning 1993-2017. During eachquadrennial conference since 1993, one or two members have received this distinction.
A Void in the Organization
Presently, the International Society of Sport Psychology does not offer a formal ISSP
Fellows Status to its most significant contributing members. More generally, without
ongoing benefits such as status to remain a member of ISSP, there will always be an ebband flow membership, resulting in a society that is mostly inactive for two of every fouryears. Furthermore, it is the mission of ISSP to advance sport and exercise psychology
globally. ISSP can only undertake this action by retaining its most established and profoundmembers to draw upon. Through this format of retention, the established scholars serve toattract and retain younger scholars, with all of the aforementioned being affiliated with
ISSP as they undertake any international outreach. Finally, members must feel that thesocieties they align with have ongoing membership benefits. Otherwise, societies areunable to compete for ongoing engagement from prospective and current members.
A few established societies in allied fields and in sport and exercise psychology offer afellows status. For example, AASP began recognizing AASP Fellows since 1985. In 2017,four members gained this status, included among these is one member of the ISSP. In total,
AASP has 81 members with this status of over 2000 members (seehttp://www.appliedsportpsych.org/about/aasp-fellows/). All of these people are active
AASP members. We have drawn upon the AASP Fellows status to help situate the current
proposal and structure.
A noteworthy society that also offers Fellows status is the American Psychological
Association (see http://www.apa.org/membership/fellows/index.aspx). APA is perhaps themost well-known psychological society worldwide. We have drawn upon their submission
requirements in order to propose those found below.
Within the field of sport and exercise psychology, only AASP offers this status – notFEPSAC and not NASPSPA. Offering this designation within the only global sport
psychology society would permit ISSP to hold the most prestigious Fellows designation –one heavily sought after within the international field.
RationaleThe term Fellow is an awarded status bestowed on a member within a society, granted
based on long-standing and continuous significant involvement in the society. TheDistinguished International Sport Psychology Award and the ISSP Honour Award overlap
to some degree with the proposed ISSP Fellow Status. The overlaps are in regards to a
substantive contribution to ISSP or the broader global landscape of sport and exercise
psychology.
What differentiates a Fellows award from the other awards already in existence is that theISSP Fellows status is a longstanding title bestowed upon an active ISSP member, whichthen becomes part of one’s past accomplishments. The Fellows status then becomes a title
that can add to one’s credentials, so long as the ongoing requirements denoted for the title
continue to be met.
Benefits
The term Fellow offers a level of recognition and branding within the society for its
longstanding contributors, who’ve made significant contributions to the society itself andthe broader field of sport psychology at a global level. The benefits of this bestowed title
are as follows:
1. The ISSP Fellow is instantly recognizable within the society and broader domain as ascholar, practitioner, or both aspects, and as a statesperson of the highest level.
2. The titling of this designation could be listed as part of the ISSP member’s professional
credentialing, so long as she/he remains an ISSP member.
3. These recognized members are listed on the ISSP website with the year of title
bestowment.
4. These members are invited to a Fellows Council meeting during the conference wherethese members are asked to provide feedback regarding the current challenges of ISSP.

In addition, future directions for the society are explored and discussed with the current
ISSP Managing Council.

Guidelines and Eligibility
1. Deadline: Applicants should submit their applications for Fellows award status no later
than September 30th of each calendar year.
2. The applicant will be required to demonstrate high standards of professional
involvement and contribution to ISSP and the global landscape of the domain bycommitting directly to the goals and long-range activities of ISSP. Evidence of these
activities might include (a) efforts to grow the domain in one’s region whilst
contributing to its connection with ISSP, (b) highly recognized international
scholarship and/or practice within the field, (c) significant contributions to the growthof ISSP’s reputation within the global landscape, and (d) significant contributions to
the inner workings of ISSP evidenced through organizational efforts within ISSP
regional conferences and the ISSP global conference, longstanding membership in theManaging Council, and significant contributions to ISSP through historical, theoretical,empirical and/or practical publications. The applicant should also be a member in goodstanding for at least six years and an active member during the tenure of the fellowship,and be adherent to the ISSP Ethics Code.
3. The applicant should have a doctorate from an internationally recognized institution ina field related to sport and exercise psychology, though exceptional circumstances of a
graduate degree (e.g., MA, MSC, MHK, MEd) might be considered in relation toapplicants from emerging / developing countries.
4. The applicant must also receive approval by the Awards Committee, led by the current
ISSP Past President.

Required Application Materials
We encourage members to nominate their colleagues in ISSP or to nominate themselves
for ISSP Fellow status when there is a belief that a candidate meets the qualification forthis distinction. What follows are the required materials to submit a complete application.
• Initial Fellows Application — To be completed by the nominee via the ISSP Fellows
Online Application Platform. Required sections are as follows:a. Contact Informationb. Graduate/Postdoctoral education history
c. Name and email address of at least three endorsers (current / Past ISSP MCmembers who have agreed to support the nomination in writing)d. Curriculum vitae, including significant publications in peer-reviewed andprofessional outlets; and/or evidence of leadership; and/or evidence ofsignificant applied contributions. Must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format
with a maximum file size of 4MB.
e. Nominee's Self Statement: This sets forth accomplishments on why theISSP member feels they warrant nomination to fellow status. The selfstatement must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format with a maximum filesize of 4MB.
• Awards Committee Chair Statement — To support the nomination for ISSP Fellow
Status, the Awards Committee Chair provides rationale for each nomination inwritten format. Within the statement, the Awards Committee will summarize how
the applicant has met the ISSP Criteria for Fellow Status, summarize
national/international impact, and provide evidence of a thorough consideration of
the nominee's application, endorsements and other supporting materials.
• Optional but Highly Recommended Materials - Any other supportive documentation:
This can be any information that you believe will help your nomination. Each file
must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format with a maximum file size of 4MB.
Awarding of Fellows Status
1. The applicants will be notified of their application outcome by December 31st yearly,
three months after the application deadline. First notice will be in the form of a letter
provided by the Past President on behalf of the Awards Committee by electronic mail.
2. Original signed letters from the Chair of the Awards Committee will be sent thereafter
by regular mail to the correspondence address provided by the applicant.
3. All Inducted Fellows will be presented with a certificate of recognition at the following
ISSP Congress General Assembly, presented by the current Past President during theformal rewards ceremony.
4. Upon induction, each new Fellow will be invited to serve on the Fellows Committee
so long as membership remains current.
5. All ISSP Fellows will be recognized at the ISSP website.