About Coachability Lab
Research translated into practice.
Coachability Lab was developed to turn research on coachability into practical information that coaches, athletes and organisations can use to support development.
Stephen MacGabhann
Stephen is completing a PhD in talent identification and athlete development, including the research underpinning the Coachability Assessment Scale. His research has been published in Sports Medicine and the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, with his applied work spanning athlete assessment and development within Olympic pathway environments at New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS).
His background bridges research and practice. Before moving to Australia, Stephen worked in Ireland as a physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach, including Gaelic football and Hurling, rugby union and soccer and individual sports.
A former senior inter county Gaelic footballer with Meath, Stephen brings experience from both sides of the coaching relationship, as practitioner and athlete.
MSc Exercise Physiology · BSc Applied Health Science · UKSCA Accredited · ASCA Level 2 · CORU Registered Physiotherapist (Ireland)
Stephen Cobley
Stephen Cobley (PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS, ASpS2) is Professor of Exercise & Sport Science in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. An internationally recognised researcher and educator, Steve has more than two decades of experience working across higher education in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
His research examines the factors that shape learning, expertise, and human development across sport, exercise, and performance contexts. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, co-edited three books on talent identification and athlete development. Steve has worked extensively with sporting organisations to evaluate and develop athlete pathways, talent systems, and coach development programmes.
Alongside his research, Steve teaches in the areas of motor skill acquisition, sport and exercise psychology, lifestyle behaviour change, and statistics. His contributions to student learning have been recognised through University of Sydney teaching awards and consistently outstanding student feedback.
Steve is also an experienced supervisor and mentor, having guided the development of numerous postgraduate students, sport scientists, and early-career academics who now hold leadership positions across industry and higher education sectors.
Built on peer reviewed research.
Explore the research underpinning Coachability Lab and the development of the Coachability Assessment Scale.