Tania Gaye Cassidy (born 1964) is a New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at the University of Otago, specialising in sports pedagogy, especially that of sports coaching.

Cassidy completed a Masters of Physical Education at the University of Otago, and then moved to Deakin University in Australia to complete a PhD titled Investigating the pedagogical process in physical education teacher education.^[1][2] Cassidy then joined the faculty of the University of Otago, rising to associate professor in 2015,^[3] and full professor in 2024.^[4]

Cassidy is interested in sports pedagogy, including the pedagogy of sports coaching, talent identification and selection, and athlete learning and development.^[4][5] Cassidy has spoken about the lack of emphasis on morals in New Zealand rugby, sports coaching as a growth industry, and how centralised systems for high-performance sports do not meet the needs of all athletes.^[6][7][8] Her 2009 book on sports coaching was one of Routledge's bestselling sports books, and has arguably helped influence the development of coaching.^[9][4] She has held advisory roles with New Zealand Hockey, New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand Football, and chaired Otago Hockey.^[4][10] She was an ambassador for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup tournament.^[11] Cassidy has also helped develop programmes for Taiwanese coaches and athletes.^[4][12]

Cassidy has a Visiting Professor at University College Cork, Ireland.^[5] She is on the editorial board for several journals, including International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, International Journal of Sports Psychology, and the New Zealand Physical Educator.^[13]

A notable doctoral student of Cassidy's is Anne-Marie Jackson.^[14]

Scholia has a profile for Tania Cassidy (Q83619590).

• Tania Cassidy, Paul Potrac and Steven Rynne. Understanding Sports Coaching: The Pedagogical, Social and Cultural Foundations of Sports Practice (2004, 2009, 2106; Routledge) ISBN 9781032026312
• Tania Cassidy, Phil Handcock, Brian Gearity, Lisette Burrows. Understanding Strength and Conditioning as Sport Coaching: Bridging the Biophysical, Pedagogical and Sociocultural Foundations of Practice (2020, Routledge) ISBN 9781138301825

• Nancy J Rehrer; Claire Freeman; Tania Cassidy; Debra L Waters; Gary E Barclay; Noela Wilson (15 March 2011). "Through the eyes of young people: favourite places for physical activity". Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. 39 (5): 492–500. doi:10.1177/1403494811401478. ISSN 1403-4948. PMID 21406480. Wikidata Q38550071.
• Laura Purdy; Robyn Jones; Tania Cassidy (August 2009). "Negotiation and capital: athletes' use of power in an elite men's rowing program". Sport Education and Society. 14 (3): 321–338. doi:10.1080/13573320903037796. ISSN 1357-3322. Wikidata Q124726974.
• Tania Cassidy (June 2010). "Understanding the Change Process: Valuing What it is That Coaches Do". International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. 5 (2): 187–191. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.5.2.187. ISSN 1747-9541. Wikidata Q124726973.
• Tania Cassidy (December 2010). "Holism in Sports Coaching: Beyond Humanistic Psychology". International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. 5 (4): 439–501. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.5.4.439. ISSN 1747-9541. Wikidata Q124726969.

• Building capability in NZ female football coaches, video featuring Tania Cassidy & Jessica Fuller, from Women in Sport Aotearoa