My Energy Game

We are thrilled to embark on a new venture through our strategic partnership with My Energy Game (MEG). Together, we are pioneering the future of sports education, athlete wellbeing, and digital innovation through the application of cutting-edge, gamified virtual reality.

My Energy Game

My Energy Game is a pioneering organisation founded by Edu Rubio, a UEFA Pro Licensed Coach. Their mission is to empower both professional and potential players and coaches by focusing on their self-development. Through innovative programmes and approaches, they support individuals in their personal development, empowering athletes to navigate career transitions and build sustainable futures beyond sports. By integrating psychological insights with coaching expertise, they aim to foster resilience, self-awareness, and overall wellbeing in the sporting community.

Our strategic partnership

Central to this collaboration is the Derby Innovation Accelerator, through which the University is providing innovation vouchers to My Energy Game This initiative enables our academic expertise to support My Energy Game in delivering high-quality, research-driven projects.
Dr Andy Hooton from the University of Derby is working closely with My Energy Game, focusing on the underpinning sport psychology to inform the digital development of unique games tailored to the organisation’s goals. This collaborative effort aims to bring these digital concepts to life.

Opportunities and projects

Engaging with professional sports clubs, delivering expert masterclasses, and driving research collaborations. Their mission aligns with fostering positive change in sports education while also opening doors for student engagement and employability. This partnership not only fosters innovation but also supports student development through research collaborations and work placement opportunities.

Liam's Journey

Liam Richardson, University of Derby PhD student, previously completed a placement with My Energy Game during his MSc and is now undertaking a PhD titled 'Exploring Perceptions on How Virtual Reality (VR) Could Serve as an Alternative Tool for Footballers to Engage in Self-development'. His research is aimed at enhancing the performance and well-being of both professional and practising football players.

Liam's Journey at the University of Derby began in late 2020, pursuing a master's degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Science. During this time, Liam had the opportunity to join a new sports psychology company, My Energy Game.

"My initial role involved managing their social media accounts, which was a completely new challenge for me as I had no prior experience with social media. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed this role. Through my early experiences with My Energy Game, I had the chance to participate in some incredible opportunities, such as visiting St Georges Park and gaining behind-the-scenes insight into the lives of professional footballers. During my time with the company, I developed a strong understanding of their mission, which is to support player’s well-being through the innovative use of Virtual Reality. The combination of technology and football deeply resonated with me, sparking a desire to explore this area further."

Liam expresses the reason why he decided to pursue a PhD, "The combination of technology and football deeply resonated with me, sparking a desire to explore this area further. With the support of both The University of Derby and My Energy Game, I embarked on a PhD journey in early 2022."

Reflecting on his journey, Liam expressed how fortunate he felt to have been given the opportunity to travel and connect with diverse individuals in the world of football, and engage in remarkable experiences, "Highlights include touring facilities and meeting influential figures at the Players Football Association and UEFA, as well as visiting Premier League and Women’s Super League training grounds and observing training sessions. The past four years with My Energy Game have been truly amazing, and I’m excited about what the future holds with this team!"

Mutual benefits

For the University of Derby, this partnership enriches our academic community by fostering collaboration between students, University staff (across Sport Science and Computing), and external organisations. For students, this presents a unique chance to gain industry-relevant experience and establish professional networks that support their future careers.

Accelerating growth

Our strategic partnership aims to drive forward both My Energy Game’s digital offerings and the University’s mission to engage with industry leaders.  With expert academic input and support, we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible at the intersection of sports education, digital innovation, and career transition support.