Champion Academy
Sport · Business · Life

Becoming the champion you were meant to be.

The Champion Academy trains the mindset and habits that make champions, in sport and in life. World-class mental toughness for athletes, performers, leaders and teams.

25+
Years studying champions
Olympic
& Paralympic athletes coached
Whole
Champions in sport & life
Our Philosophy

What is a Whole Champion?

Years of working in elite sport taught us a simple truth: being a champion in your sport is not enough on its own. A true champion excels in competition and in life.

01

Personal Growth

Constantly evolving as both an athlete and an individual.

02

Health & Wellbeing

Prioritising physical and mental resilience as the foundation of performance.

03

Strong Relationships

Building meaningful connections with family, teammates and mentors.

04

Purpose & Passion

Striving for success in sport, career and community alike.

Who We Train

From the podium to the boardroom.

We inspire and empower people to unlock their best self in both sport and life.

Olympians & Professional Athletes National Teams Performing Artists Young Athletes & Schools Teachers & Coaches The Executive Athlete
Rikki Dworcan and Toni Gaddie, co-founders of the Champion Academy

Rikki Dworcan (left) and Toni Gaddie (right), co-founders of the Champion Academy.

How We Train

A champion’s journey, designed around you.

We offer individual, team and group training, online and in person. Just like elite athletes, each of us has a unique toolbox of strengths and talents to develop.

Accessible anywherePersonalised programmesOnline & in person

Meet Toni & Rikki

Courses

Three courses. One champion mindset.

Flexible, expert-led training in sport and performance psychology. Each module stands alone, so you can start wherever you need to grow.

Course 01

Mastering Pressure

Learn to manage doubt, nerves and negativity so you can perform at your peak when it matters most. This is the foundation every champion is built on.

  • Master pressure & competition nerves
  • Set goals & stay motivated
  • Build a winning mindset
Course details
Course 02

The Champion Toolkit

Build your own personalised toolkit of mental skills for confidence, consistency and true enjoyment in your sport, art or work.

  • Confidence on demand
  • Trigger “the zone”
  • Tools you keep for life
Course details
Course 03

Tournament Toughness

Train the focus, accuracy and zone-state habits that hold up under real competition pressure, so you deliver when the result counts.

  • Laser focus & accuracy
  • Compete under pressure
  • Bounce back from mistakes
Course details
Why It Works

The science behind the mindset.

Mental training is not a luxury. Decades of peer-reviewed research show that structured psychological skills measurably improve performance and wellbeing.

Proven performance gains

A meta-analysis of psychological interventions in sport found consistent, meaningful improvements in competitive performance across disciplines.

Pressure, managed

Systematic reviews of stress-management training show athletes better regulate anxiety and sustain focus when the stakes are highest.

Beyond the field

Workplace-coaching meta-analyses report positive effects on performance, wellbeing, coping and goal attainment for leaders and teams.

Selected research

  1. Brown, D.J. & Fletcher, D. (2017). Effects of psychological and psychosocial interventions on sport performance: a meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 77–99.
  2. Rumbold, J.L., Fletcher, D. & Daniels, K. (2012). A systematic review of stress management interventions with sport performers. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 1(3), 173–193.
  3. Theeboom, T., Beersma, B. & van Vianen, A.E.M. (2014). Does coaching work? A meta-analysis on the effects of coaching on individual outcomes in an organizational context. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(1), 1–18.
  4. Bühlmayer, L. et al. (2017). Effects of mindfulness practice on performance-relevant parameters in athletes. Sports Medicine, 47(11), 2309–2321.
Testimonials

Trusted by champions.

Real Athletes Tennis Academy

“After an extensive search for the right group to work with our academy on the mental game, one applicant stood out, the Champion Academy. Their commitment and knowledge is unquestioned, and the results have been remarkable.”

Earl Granger
Investec

“Toni delivered her keynote ‘Enduring High Performance’ brilliantly. It was engaging, thought-provoking and energising. A thoroughly inspiring and motivational talk.”

Melissa Janet
National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team

“The girls were the strongest they have been in years, as a team and individually. I’m so grateful for your input. I know it played a large role in their preparation.”

Shalene Raath, High Performance Manager
DJ Coaching

“A proud association over many years. Our players, parents and coaches have all gained valuable tools and information from the Champion Academy.”

Jono Leaf-Wright

More about our work

Ready to become a Whole Champion?

Individual, team and group sessions, online or in person. Reach out to Toni or Rikki to begin your champion’s journey.

Enquire about sessions & courses