Love What You Play: Recent Episodes
For the Love of the Game
Each week For the Love of the Game meets with the top experts in the youth sports field to provide parents and coaches with the insight, knowledge, and resources they need to ensure kids love what they play.
In this episode, we talk about Duff's book The Tao of Sport: Reflecting on Purpose, Passion, and Growth and the observations of the athletic world that ultimately inspired him to write it. He discusses the various stages of his career, from participating in multiple sports during his youth to working as a firefighter, competing in the Olympics, and the insight he gained from being a coach.
Find out more here: https://www.darkhorseathletic.ca/general-6
Duff is a speaker, coach, advocate, and father, who aims to develop athleticism and foster an intrinsic love for sport. He spent the better part of three decades in the world of Olympic sport, and was also a provincial champion speed skater and a national champion in bobsleigh. He competed from 1999 to 2006 when he won gold in the Men’s Skeleton Race, making him the oldest Canadian Winter Games Gold Medalist and the oldest Individual Winter Gold Medalist in the world.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:40 - Growing up playing sports
7:45 - Origin of the book and of Dark Horse
13:40 - Data on Olympians
18:55 - Challenges and fear in Skeleton
21:20 - Firefighting experience
24:30 - Memorable moment from competition
28:05 - Achieving his dream
30:20 - Preparation/time management
35:40 - The importance of making mistakes
40:35 - Control and selflessness
46:00 - Growth mindset
54:25 - His support network
58:15 - Advice for parents to help kids thrive
1:00:55 - Advice for coaches just starting out
1:13:25 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page.
In this episode, we talk about the origin of Athlete Intelligence and how they have adapted to recent circumstances, as well as their goals and plans moving forward. Chris goes into detail about the study of concussions and the services that his organization provides - specifically, discussing how the mindset around head injuries and prevention methods in the sport world has changed over the years.
Find out more here: https://www.athleteintelligence.com/
As a former LAX player and current LAX coach, Chris is involved with a number of efforts to help kids stay healthy and safe while having fun in their sports. Currently living in Washington State, he is passionate about lacrosse, volunteering, and his work with young people.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:05 - Growing up playing sports
6:10 - Benefits of multi-sport participation
8:35 - Concussion data
14:40 - Rowan’s Law and safety products
19:30 - Priorities for Athlete Intelligence
23:25 - Research timeline and business model
28:15 - Ideal athletic techniques
34:05 - The future of the platform
40:45 - Head impacts and CTE
45:20 - Advice for coaches just starting out
50:00 - Where to find Chris
52:10 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page.
In this episode, we talk about Allison's journey from her commitment as a student athlete to her experiences in the Olympics, and what led her to the field of Safe Sport. She discusses how the perspective on abuse is shifting and what still needs improvement, as well as offering suggestions for organizations that want to implement a new system.
Find out more here: https://www.itpsport.ca/
Allison is a business leader focusing on the prevention and case management of maltreatment, who has worked with the federal government and the public sector to create a safer, high-performance system. With 12+ years of business development, operations, marketing, communications, and leadership experience, she is now a consultant and advisor to sports brands and organizations at all levels.
Table of Contents0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Growing up playing sports
3:45 - "Over-specialization" vs. long-term development
6:10 - Allison's skiing career and the Olympics
10:00 - Her path to working in Safe Sport
18:25 - Changes in the athletic world
23:50 - Preventing harassment/abuse
30:10 - Emotional and physical protection
33:00 - Cyberbullying in sports
43:50 - Business model and partners
47:20 - The newest developments
50:10 - Recommended approaches
55:40 - Supervising young players
58:10 - Where to find Allison
59:25 - OutroThe interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page.
In this episode, we talk about how sports were a part of Jacques's life growing up and his journey to going pro. He shares his advice for young athletes, coaches and parents alike, focusing on the issues of multisport participation, respect, nutrition, and supporting players' health.
Find out more and purchase Jacques's books here: https://www.amazon.com/Jacques-Ladouceur/e/B08VDMRMGY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1637260688&sr=1-2
Jacques was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and immigrated to New York City with his family in December of 1969. After playing for the US National Soccer Team for two years, he went on to play professionally for 11 years and was a member of six championship teams before he went into coaching and the business world. He has worked as an entrepreneur and has also consulted executives and managers of various companies; he is currently a business coach with Buffini & Company.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Intro
2:03 - How old were you when you moved to NYC?
5:49 - When did you start playing soccer and did you play other sports as well?
8:06 - Do you think it's beneficial for kids to participate in multiple sports?
16:51 - How might we educate parents so they won't push their children to the point where they experience burnout?
21:14 - What are your suggestions in terms of nutrition and healthy habits for young athletes?
30:23 - How do you recommend they balance their sports with sufficient time for sleep and rest?
36:52 - How can families and coaches help kids love the game?
41:14 - What key takeaways do you want people to gain from your books?
46:09 - Why are we seeing a lack of respect in sports, especially toward officials, and what should we do about it?
53:17 - Based on your own background, what's the #1 piece of advice you would give to coaches?
57:24 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page.
Dr. Julie Stamm is a neuroscientist, anatomist, athletic trainer, researcher, and sports lover. She is also the author of The Brain on Youth Sports: The Science, the Myths, and the Future.
In this episode, we talk about Dr. Stamm's recently published book The Brain on Youth Sports, which tackles the issue of repetitive brain trauma in youth sports and their health consequences. By reading the book, Dr. Stamm hopes that consumers will be equipped to make well-informed decisions.
Find out more and purchase Dr. Stamm's book here: https://www.juliestamm.com/book
Dr. Stamm has done extensive research and published many works in the areas of concussions, sub-concussive impacts, CTE, and the consequences of repetitive brain trauma in youth. Through her many publications and online presence, her mission is to debunk the myths around repetitive brain trauma and concussions in sports and explain the science so that it is easy for everyone to understand.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - How Dr. Stamm came to study concussions in contact sports when she played mainly non-contact sports
02:29 - What do we need to do in terms of shifting the mindset of “getting your bell rung” vs. recognizing an actual concussion?
05:17 - Are there any concussion laws in the US to legislate return to play (similar to Rowan’s law)?
06:52 - Is there any truth to concussion-proof helmets?
08:24 - How Virginia Tech rates the concussion protection levels of helmets and how the price difference is often unrelated
11:10 - Are mouth guards useful to help prevent concussions?
11:54 - The crucial brain development happening in the 8-12 age group and the effects of disrupting it
13:32 - Did Dr. Stamm's concussion research play a role when USA Hockey and Hockey Canada banned body checking for the younger U13-U15 age groups?
15:22 - Why was the American Academy of Pediatrics in the US in support of removing contact in hockey but not football?
18:51 - Is the money stream for the NFL preventing football from removing contact?
22:09 - Why Dr. Stamm believes contact in sports shouldn’t be present before players' teen years
25:06 - Does early specialization in contact sports and football impact concussion rates compared to multi-sport athletes?
27:43 - How popular is baseline testing in the US and how effective is it in measuring concussion recovery?
30:08 - How are motion sensors implemented during play and how effective are they?
32:39 - What sports have a higher percentage of head impacts and how does the position you play affect your risk of concussions?
34:48 - What sports have the highest concussion rates when comparing boys vs. girls?
36:32 - How do we ensure young athletes report their head injuries during play and are made aware of the lifelong impacts of concussions?
38:31 - The importance of coaches supporting their athletes in being open about reporting their injuries
39:25 - How to make coach concussion education ongoing learning rather than a one-time workshop
42:03 - What are the myths of diagnosis and recovery for concussions?
44:58 - Previous concerns of people falling asleep and not noticing internal bleeding vs. allowing them to sleep to help their recovery
46:24 - Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy have benefits for concussion recovery?
47:43 - What led Dr. Stamm to write a book on concussions and what she hopes people will gain from reading it
49:55 - Dr. Stamm's aspiration for no contact under 13 in football in the next five years
51:40 - Some examples of amazing football athletes who were successful without playing contact sports early on in life
53:33 - Where can people find Dr. Stamm’s book and how can they reach out to her?
54:21 - Outro The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Lindsay Goulet is an advocate for Buddy Check For Jesse and Director of Exercise Programming and Education for Habit Lifestyle Medicine. Rob Pallante is a former NCAA Div 1 hockey player and the founder of Mindset Body Bank.
In this episode, we talk with with Lindsay Goulet about how Buddy Check For Jesse came to be, and how the organization has helped Lindsay's son Owen with his anxiety and talking about mental health with his hockey teammates.
Buddy Check For Jesse is a charity founded by Stu Gershman - a dad, sports medicine physician, and a volunteer youth coach - with the goal of de-stigmatizing, educating, and supporting our youth with mental health, through the power of coaches and sport.
We also discuss Rob's journey as a hockey player, his near-death motorcycle experience, and his professional business career, and how they all motivated him to become a mindset coach for high performance, conscious-minded athletes and individuals who are looking to develop an invincible mindset.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Why Lindsay is passionate about exercise for mental health, and her son Owen’s experiences with mental illness
06:51 - Video of Owen’s story and how Buddy Check For Jesse helped him
11:25 - Owen’s approach to tackling his own mental health
12:03 - The socioeconomic pressures that build a stigma around mental health
12:46 - Where the Buddy Check green comes from and how Buddy Check helps coaches and athletes open the discussion of mental health
16:56 - How coaches often don’t get training to help kids with mental health issues, and the importance of open communication between coaches and parents
18:53 - How the COVID-19 uncertainty can benefit from Buddy Check and open communication
21:18 - Buddy Check’s transition from the hockey space to the multi-sport space and upcoming events
24:30 - Achieving charity status and having the ability to spread the message
25:29 - Basketball, lacrosse, and ball hockey events and partners
27:01 - Lindsay’s definition of mental health
28:05 - How to find Buddy Check For Jesse, access resources, donate, and connect with them over on social media
29:16 - Buddy Check’s role in our upcoming Mental Fitness summit
29:37 - Outro The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Ryan Phillips is a former pro hockey player, published author, and TEDx speaker. Rob Pallante is a former NCAA Div 1 hockey player and the founder of Mindset Body Bank!
In this episode, we talk about Ryan's experience in professional hockey and his struggle with mental health, as well as the dramatic events that motivated him to spread the power of positivity and focused thought around the globe. From being barred from the United States and his daughter, and then traveling the world to find happiness, Ryan's incredible life experiences have been recorded in a published book and in a documentary.
We also discuss Rob's journey as a hockey player, his near-death motorcycle experience, and his professional business career, and how they all motivated him to become a mindset coach for high performance, conscious-minded athletes and individuals who are looking to develop an invincible mindset.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Ryan’s early beginnings in hockey and sports
03:10 - Ryan’s misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder and how concussions had an impact on his health
10:17 - How Ryan handles multiple projects and a busy lifestyle with a good environment and who he surrounds himself with
13:13 - Ryan’s cycling trip around Cambodia to fundraise for human trafficking prevention
16:10 - What Ryan learned from being barred from the United States and being involved in the early days of the marijuana boom in 2012.
19:13 - Where Ryan’s passion for cycling began, and how he rode across Cambodia for human trafficking awareness, across Canada for mental health, and across Southeast Asia
23:11 - How Ryan advocates for moving forward in life with purpose and how he acted on his mental health
25:32 - Awareness and action, and how Ryan defines success for himself
26:50 - The time when Ryan lost who he was during marijuana smuggling and how he now dedicates his life to world service
29:12 - Ryan’s tips for how we can control the mental loops we get stuck in, and the importance of having fun with the “now”
32:53 - How to connect with Ryan
33:35 - Ryan’s feature presentation at our summit on June 17th
34:26 - Outro The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Kevin Rempel is a Canadian sledge hockey 2013 world champion with a 2014 Paralympic bronze medal, and the founder of The Sledge Hockey Experience. Rob Pallante is a former NCAA Div 1 hockey player and the founder of Mindset Body Bank!
In this episode, we talk about Kevin's life experiences and how they led him to play for Team Canada. After being paralyzed in a motor cross accident in 2006, having to learn to walk again, and then losing his dad, Kevin has shown extreme resilience in overcoming adversity. The discussion reveals why he ended up becoming a mindset resilience coach and how he ultimately created Kevin Rempel & Associates Inc.
Kevin is now focusing on building the game of sledge hockey with The Sledge Hockey Experience, inspiring others as a keynote speaker, and coaching leaders using the Resilience Toolbox.
We also discuss Rob's journey as a hockey player, his near-death motorcycle experience, and his professional business career, and how they all motivated him to become a mindset coach for high performance, conscious-minded athletes and individuals who are looking to develop an invincible mindset.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Intro
01:54 - Kevin’s early days in motor cross, BMX, and skateboarding and his accident
04:51 - Rob’s motorcycle accident
07:31 - Kevin’s mindset during his recovery and his dad’s approach to his own recovery
10:49 - Kevin’s idols and how they played a role in his recovery
13:48 - How Kevin started his journey into sledge hockey
17:06 - Joining Team Canada and going to Sochi for the Paralympic games
19:11 - The physical demand of sledge hockey
21:14 - Kevin’s Sledge Hockey Experience education program, instructional YouTube videos, and giving back to grow the sport of sledge hockey, as well as his charity donation of $30,000 to supply sleds for kids
24:09 - Kevin’s definition of mental health and removing the stigma around the term
26:18 - What can we do to increase awareness of mental health? (The three A’s of the resilience toolbox: admit, ask, and accept)
31:12 - Rob’s mental fitness program
34:38 - Kevin’s tools and programs and where to find them
35:43 - The origins of the term “sledge” in sledge hockey, and the renaming to “para ice hockey”
38:50 - Kevin opening the upcoming Mental Fitness for Sports and Life II Summit, raising funds for Buddy Check for Jesse
40:40 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Jason Podollan is a NHL Alumnus and the founder of Up My Hockey. Rob Pallante is a former NCAA Div 1 hockey player and the founder of Mindset Body Bank!
In this episode, we talk about Jason's story as an NHL player and how he has now harnessed his experiences to teach the modalities of mindset, nutrition, fitness, and high performance. Up My Hockey shows clients how to empower and rebrand themselves to directly impact those they care about most.
We also discuss Rob's journey as a hockey player, his near-death motorcycle experience, and his professional business career, and how they all motivated him to become a mindset coach for high performance, conscious-minded athletes and individuals who are looking to develop an invincible mindset.
Table of Contents00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Rob’s origins as a Toronto hockey player and his draft pick experience
03:00 - Rob’s motorcycle accident and how that drove him to found Mindset Body Bank
05:30 - Jason’s story of being in the NHL and the mental toll
08:50 - Why Jason began the journey as a mentor
10:00 - Current early specialization in youth and Rob and Jason’s multisport experience
13:30 - The importance of free play in child development and the resurgence of it during COVID
15:20 - How Jason helps kids find and reconnect with what they love about the game
18:00 - Fear of failure in kids and parental pressure
21:00 - Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset, tips for success and growth in sports
27:30 - Naomi Osaka’s decision to pull out of the French open
30:00 - Definition of mental health and the line into clinical help
34:30 - Mental agility for athletes via the Up My Hockey Peak Potential Hockey Project with Jason Podollan
38:00 - Controlling your physical and mental state, offered through Mindset Body Bank, and how to contact Rob
41:00 - How parents and coaches can best support athletes
46:08 - How the off-season/COVID is the perfect time to implement new mental techniques and perspectives before heading back into the game
49:15 - Mental Fitness summit announcement
51:00 - Outro The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Dan Blackburn is a coach and the founder of National Training Centres Hockey, as well as the creator of the Pillars of Greatness curriculum.
In this episode, we talk about Dan's journey to success as a coach, author, and father, despite his hardships. Dan has trained thousands of athletes, including PK Subban of the NJ Devils, two-time Stanley Cup champion David Bolland, and Stanley Cup champion Tyler Sequin of the Dallas Stars. We also go over NTC Hockey's mission of teaching athletes how to see and experience their greatness both on and off the ice, and to produce the most dominant hockey players in the game.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - Where Dan grew up, his family challenges, and what sports he played as a kid
04:42 - How he got involved in hockey coaching and his tryouts anecdote
09:20 - His motivation to coach hockey at a young age and what age groups he coached
12:13 - How he started with off-ice training and set out to prove its benefits for athletes
16:37 - Being ahead of the curve with off-ice training and incorporating mental training
19:24 - Recognizing that there is a life after professional sports and how to transition smoothly
22:14 - Dan’s definition of what mental health should be
26:26 - Looking at the athletes that have struggled in the COVID era and Dan’s approach to help them
30:25 - His vision for a better normal in youth sports after COVID
35:37 - Where Dan’s optimism and energy comes from and his “booyah” shtick
40:22 - Details on how you can connect with Dan
42:48 - Outro The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Owen McBride is an accomplished athlete who recently founded Private Coaching Co. alongside his team to create positive sport experiences for youth athletes of all skill levels and ages.
In this episode, we talk about Owen's journey as a decorated soccer player as well as playing other sports, receiving 2 silver medals in the AAA Provincial Championships, a bronze medal in the Sportcheck Canadian National Championship, and a silver medal in the BC Summer Games. We also discuss how his story motivated him to change the sport experience for millions of kids worldwide with Private Coaching Co., which aims to provide one-on-one and small group sports training sessions.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - Where Owen grew up and his opinion on playing multiple sports
03:21 - What makes sports fun
05:56 - Being forced to specialize in a sport at a young age and why Owen chose soccer over baseball
09:11 - Why Owen began the journey of Private Coaching Co., single-sport burnout, and the physical and mental tolls of the elite sports environment
13:46 - The balance of sports and social life, encouraging being stress-free and making mistakes
16:31 - Early specialization sports injuries and guided warm-ups
19:08 - The stigma of the word ‘elite’ at younger ages
21:34 - Lack of multi-sport and athletic capabilities in young children
25:03 - What type of programs and coaches Private Coaching Co. offers and the goal to expand beyond North Vancouver
29:35 - The vision for Private Coaching Co. 5 years from now and Owen’s aspiration to reach millions of kids
31:07 - What the better normal could be for sports versus what it was before COVID-19
33:56 - Parental pressure on kids to pursue specific sports, Owen’s motto to allow kids to be in the "driver’s seat"
36:48 - Competing with video games and E-sports, and the need for kids to be active
41:10 - Inclusivity and affordability in sports
42:53 - Upcoming Private Coaching Co. summer clinics
44:31 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Kris Beech is a former NHL alumni, mindfulness facilitator, and the founder and CEO of Aimability.
In this episode, we talk about his journey in hockey from being drafted 7th overall, to playing in the NHL (including playing on the same line with Mario Lemieux), to his pro experience in Europe and transition to completing a masters in Sports Management - and how his thesis is now coming to fruition through the Aimability platform.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Where Kris grew up and what sports he played as a kid
07:10 - His path in hockey, getting drafted 7th overall in the NHL, and concerns with drafting kids very early
17:14 - How to manage expectations and mental health challenges when entering pro hockey
19:46 - His best NHL hockey career anecdotes with Michel Therrien, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Nashville
22:26 - His backstory with Shea Weber
23:10 - The back and forth of getting traded within the NHL
28:47 - His experience dealing with Major Depressive Disorder
33:16 - Playing with Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby, and his chance to play for the Stanley Cup
36:00 - The best coaches that Kris had
38:40 - How his Master’s thesis led to him founding the Aimability platform
45:03 - Aimability’s potential for global reach
49:46 - Outro The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Dana has received many accolades for her amazing work growing the game for girls. She was named by the Toronto Star as one of the top 12 Canadian Change Makers, made it into the Canadian Baseball Network's top 100 list of most influential Canadians in the sport, and was also named an RBC Woman of Influence and awarded a 2021 Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada.
Table of Contents
00:13 - Intro and Dana’s background
02:52 - The rise of Canadian Girls Baseball
04:22 - Effects of the pandemic on growth of sports programs
07:00 - Outcomes and adaption to COVID restrictions for sports programs
09:25 - Demand for youth sports camps resulting from COVID online fatigue
13:36 - Keeping girls motivated about sports as they grow older
14:47 - Catering sports camps toward 3-4 year old kids to keep them engaged
17:33 - Certifying coaches for girls' baseball
19:14 - Differences between coaching boys and girls
23:46 - Expanding Canadian Girls Baseball into British Columbia and other areas
29:34 - Should kids participate in outdoor sports during the pandemic?
33:32 - Online activities if in-person sports are restricted this summer
39:20 - Parent response to COVID limitations
43:57 - Using kids' feedback to build sports programs
46:58 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Steve Boyle is widely recognized as the national leader in sport sampling and physical literacy in the United States. He is a former Division 1 athlete and has nearly 30 years of experience in counseling, teaching, working with children with cancer, athletic and life coaching, as well as multiple entrepreneurial successes. Steve’s mission is to leave a sustainable legacy that will allow every citizen to gain the ability, balance, confidence, desire and explorative nature to be physically active for life. Recognized by the Aspen Institute’s Sport and Society Program in the original Project Play report for his sport-sampling approach, Steve works tirelessly to combat specialization in youth sports and wants physical literacy to be as commonplace and as expected as reading literacy and numeracy.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:30 - Steve's story and 2-4-1 Sports
13:30 - Overexertion and injury from specializing in one sport
22:35 - Balancing school and sport
31:35 - Change in sport relationships as the pressure to specialize builds
40:15 - How COVID-19 affects in-person sports and camps
48:22 - How to promote the importance of playing multisport
59:49 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Dr. Tommy Gerschman received his MD from the University of British Columbia and is a practicing Pediatric Rheumatologist (FRCPC). He is the Chair of the Doctors of BC Athletics and Recreation Committee and is the former Medical Director at Fortius Sport & Health. He works with a wide range of children, including recreational and elite athletes (and dancers). He also enjoys promoting physical activity and sport involvement for children with chronic diseases, such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
6:38 - Arthritis symptoms
8:00 - COVID and rheumatology
14:40 - Youth sport injuries
18:17 - Burnout
26:53 - Growth spurts and injuries
35:07 - Bio-banding
45:30 - Returning after COVID
52:58 - Concussions
1:01:14 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Lewall's introduction to gymnastics happened by chance: she started her career as a physical education teacher, and part of her degree at UBC involved learning about that sport. Upon completion of her degree, her first teaching posting was at Steveston Senior Secondary, and at the start of the school year some students approached her about starting a gymnastics club.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
8:22 - What is physical literacy?
13:25 - The importance of free play
17:07 - Parenting with free play
21:04 - Interactions
25:18 - Easing up on the challenges
35:48 - Kids’ opinions
39:30 - Post-COVID free play
49:52 - Conclusions
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Nathan Baldwin has spent over 17 years engaged in developing quality sport programs for all ages - advocating for inclusion, progressive skill development, quality coaching, and lifelong enjoyment of the game. His ability to develop and facilitate a cohesive program culture has led to the delivery of nationally renowned, high-engagement, growth-oriented recreational sports programs.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
3:07 - Free play
9:17 - A fast-paced life
13:08 - Reluctance about a return to play
30:41 - Community
44:32 - What feels right
53:55 - What’s next?
58:24 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Janis is a mother of three children who are very active in the sports community and is the founder of Raising Champion Families, which uses coaching, mentoring and blogging to support sports families. As a certified life coach, she wants to help families reestablish their connectivity and navigate through their children's changes.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
7:20 - Communicating with parents in COVID
11:29 - Predictions for the future
24:13 - New equipment needed
31:03 - Shifting online
34:15 - Addressing pain points
40:30 - Youth sports
47:50 - Outro
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
As the Executive Director of Semiahmoo Minor Hockey Association and a Sledge Hockey Technical Delegate in the Paralympic International Committee, David Newson provides strong insights on how COVID has impacted the sports world. In this episode we discuss the short-term and long-term implications of the pandemic.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
8:40 - Changes in the Olympics
12:34 - Impacts of COVID
32:21 - Restrictions on sports in COVID
35:49 - Taking the time to plan
42:36 - Training during COVID
49:13 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Rosemary has been involved at the elite level of basketball for more than 30 years – specifically as a referee at WNBL and SEABL level for 19 years. The first female to referee men’s games at the elite level, she has been coaching juniors in VJBL for 20 years, and is the assistant coach at SEABL Level and development coach for Melbourne Tigers NBL.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
7:34 - Acceptance in the men’s game
13:50 - Parents’ “ambition”
19:42 - Post-COVID changes
24:04 - Upcoming changes
33:53 - Lack of funding
43:13 - Positive interactions
54:18 - Undervalued referees
58:22 - Mentorship
1:08:06 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
John is an author, speaker and long-time soccer coach at the youth, college and professional level. He's the host of the Way of Champions Podcast and founder of Changing the Game Project, an organization dedicated to educating parents and coaches and shifting the paradigm of youth sports to a more positive, child-centered experience.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:12 - COVID's impact on reality
9:04 - Long-term changes
28:16 - Things usually missed in coaches' education
33:44 - Return to training
39:22 - Transitions after COVID
43:44 - John’s upcoming projects
56:43 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Mike Thomson was recently appointed an official for Basketball Canada for this coming February. He has been a referee for over 40 years on the local, national and international level. After retiring from being an active official he now spends his time as a mentor and instructor to others.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
6:00 - The transition from playing to officiating
12:47 - Fondest memory
19:06 - The new world of COVID
26:40 - Different levels of officiating
35:56 - New mentorship
49:18 - COVID education
56:20 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Dr. Pierce is the author of the groundbreaking textbook Selling in the Sport Industry. He has published over 70 peer reviewed manuscripts, presented over 100 times at academic conferences, and secured over 30 grants and contracts with research focused on sport sales and issues in sport management education.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
3:12 - Sports Innovation Institute
6:19 - Research with Officially Human
8:05 - Collaboration with Zoom
12:10 - Respecting officials
19:06 - The rookie official experience
31:55 - Great messaging
37:49 - Officiating shortages
43:15 - The theatrics
49:02 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Brenda Hilton is the founder and CEO of Officially Human, which is dedicated to restoring respect for and positive treatment of sport officials through increased education and communication to all stakeholders (administrators, coaches, and fans), while recruiting and retaining new officials at all levels. Check out their webpage here: officiallyhuman.com
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:15 - Root of the problem
5:18 - Brenda’s background
12:38 - Attracting new officials
17:20 - True focus of youth sports
20:30 - Games in the midst of COVID
29:40 - COVID financials
36:30 - Athletic scholarships
41:45 - Officials' contributions
51:33 - Youth officials
58:30 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Matt Young for a second time. Matt is the founder of Personal Sport Record, an organization that puts complete performance data directly into athletes', parents', coaches' and sport organizations’ hands to measure progress, identify opportunities and inform decision making. He is a passionate health, recreation and sport leader who believes that supporting quality athletic achievement is good for our children, communities and society. You can learn more about Personal Sport Record and Matt Young here: https://personalsportrecord.com/about-us/
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Personal Sport Record update
4:30 - The importance of Personal Sport Record
8:00 - Reporting abuse
11:00 - Physical education
19:00 - LTAD
24:30 - Holding leaders accountable
30:00 - What kids want
35:00 - 60 minutes a day
44:00 - Making a difference
46:00 - The Cost of Winning documentary
47:00 - Winning at all costs
54:00 - Quality sport experiences
55:00 - Conclusion/looking forward
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
While most would consider him simply a sports psychologist, Dr. Jerry Lynch is a coach, mentor and teacher. He guides and coaches athletes and parents to explore the meaning and purpose of sport, as a powerful vehicle to help us understand the mental/emotional/spiritual components of the athletic game and how they apply to the bigger game called LIFE. Dr. Jerry Lynch has written 13 books and has conducted countless seminars and workshops talking about what it takes to be a champion.You can learn more about his story here: https://www.wayofchampions.com/about/about-doc-j.html
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - Way of Champions conference
6:30 - The learning journey
12:00 - Mindfulness
21:00 - Pressure to win
31:00 - The right way to play
36:00 - Evolution of coaching
40:00 - Changing perspectives
48:00 - The fear of losing control
55:00 - Building a love of the game
62:00 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Lenore Skenazy, founder of Free Range Kids, president of Let Grow, speaker, blogger, author, and reality show host. You can learn more about Lenore here: https://www.freerangekids.com/
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Growing up
3:15 - Free and risky play
9:30 - Free Range Kids
18:30 - Spreading the movement
22:30 - Helicopter parenting
27:00 - Being labelled “America’s worst mom”
38:30 - Safe play
42:30 - Future aspirations
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Seanna Thomas, founder of Hockey Snacks, providing young athletes with the proper fuel to perform and recover while giving them the nutritional knowledge to succeed. You can learn more about Seanna and Hockey Snacks here: https://www.hockeysnacks.com/
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Growing up
3:00 - Family life
7:30 - Value of sport
10:30 - Nutrition workshops/tips
23:00 - Post-game recovery
28:00 - Alternative nutrition options
38:00 - Founding Hockey Snacks
43:00 - Curbside delivery program
46:00 - Tips for parents
49:00 - The future of Hockey Snacks
51:00 - Resources and contact
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Michael Smith, former captain of the UBC Rugby team and current Rugby Canada player.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Growing up playing sports
9:00 - Impact of being a multi-sport athlete
14:00 - What makes sport fun?
20:30 - Being a student athlete
25:00 - Skills learned through sport
29:40 - The challenges of traveling
34:00 - Funding and support
37:30 - Bullying and harassment
43:00 - How important is winning?
47:00 - Specializing in one sport
53:00 - Recommendations for aspiring athletes
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion about suicide and various forms of harassment.
This episode of the Love What You Play Podcast features Dr. Jennifer Fraser, founder of Neuro Paradigm, author of The Bullied Brain: What Neuroscientists Know About Brain Scars and How to Heal Them, and TEDx speaker. This is Dr. Fraser’s second time making an appearance on our podcast, with this talk focusing on rethinking bullying in the world of sports.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - What did you play growing up?
2:00 - Favourite memory from that time
3:00 - Rethinking activity in schools
7:30 - What is bullying?
10:00 - Why do people become bullies?
16:00 - Preventing bullying
18:00 - Shifting cultural norms
20:30 - The importance of safe reporting
24:00 - Education as a path to prevention
30:00 - Hazing
36:00 - What it was like doing a TED talk
39:00 - Suicide and bully-cide
46:00 - Containing emotional responses
50:00 - Where to find Dr. Fraser
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Nick Buonocore, founder of The Reformed Sports Parent. Nick played baseball and won a national championship at N.C. Wesleyan and also played professionally in Europe. Today his vision is to restore healthy balance and perspective in youth sports through education and advocacy. You can learn more about Nick and The Reformed Sports Parent here: https://reformedsportsparent.com/about-us
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:30 - Growing up playing sports
5:30 - Issues facing youth sports
13:00 - Early sport specialization
16:00 - Connecting with industry experts
25:00 - Popular quotes
31:00 - The problems with competitive sports teams
39:00 - How we create progress
48:00 - Making sports fun again
51:00 - Encouraging mistakes
53:00 - Book recommendations
54:00 - Conclusion/where to find Nick
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Jenn Starkey, founder of MVP Leadership Academy, owner of Fast Pitch Fit, speaker, and coach. You can connect with Jenn here: https://www.facebook.com/Jenn.L.Starkey
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - The importance of staying active
3:30 - Jenn’s story
11:00 - Growth
19:45 - Coaching different people
29:30 - Coaching culture
41:00 - The role of parents
48:00 - Making mistakes
58:00 - Outro and where to find Jenn
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
J.P. Nerbun is a mentor, writer, coach, sports consultant, and founder of Thrive On Challenge. He has a teaching degree in physical education and sports science from the University of Limerick, one of the top universities in Europe for those subjects. He’s coached at nearly every level imaginable, with an understanding of how to apply the principles, systems, and strategies to build a transformational culture. Our conversation focuses on raising young athletes, developing teams, transformational leadership, and more. You can learn about J.P. and Thrive On Challenge here: https://thriveonchallenge.com/about-j-p-nerbun/.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:40 - Growing up playing sports
6:00 - Pursuing basketball
9:30 - External pressure
13:00 - Chasing scholarships
20:45 - Transformational leadership
29:15 - Developing cohesive teams
37:15 - The importance of mentorship
42:00 - Virtual sports consulting
47:00 - Hosting a coaching culture podcast
49:30 - What would you do differently?
58:00 - Tips for coaches
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Trevor Ragan is the founder of Train Ugly and the Learner Lab, platforms dedicated to understanding and sharing the science of becoming a better learner. You can find Trevor on the Learner Lab Podcast here: https://trainugly.com/learner-lab-podcast/
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
4:00 - Top 3 characteristics of sports coaches
5:30 - Founding Train Ugly
13:30 - Importance of making mistakes
17:30 - Pushing your comfort zone
28:00 - Giving feedback
32:00 - Developing critical skills
41:00 - The dangers of specializing too early
46:00 - Book recommendations
49:00 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
His second time featured on the Love What You Play podcast, James Leath is the founder of Unleash the Athlete. He discusses educating athletes of all ages and developing positive leadership among individuals in the sporting community. Learn more about James and Unleash the Athlete here: https://www.utathlete.com/.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - COVID-19 sports shutdown
6:00 - Growing up playing sports
9:00 - Involvement with Chicago Bulls
13:00 - Chasing the dream
22:30 - Unleash the Athlete
30:00 - TikTok and Gen Z
34:30 - Way of Champions conference
37:00 - Developing young athletes
44:30 - The rise of E-sports
50:45 - Top 3 tips for coaches
53:00 - Where to find James
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free Spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Amber Pascual and Erin Crawford, founders of Make Movement Matter, a physical literacy resource that works to make a positive change in students' lives. Amber and Erin discuss the importance of physical literacy, getting kids active, progression of skills and more. Learn about Make Movement Matter here: http://www.makemovementmatter.org/
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introductions
1:30 - Growing up playing sports
5:20 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
12:00 - Why they founded Make Movement Matter
21:30 - Sharing their story
26:40 - Supporting different age groups
29:00 - Delivering physical education
35:50 - Volunteer coaching
41:00 - What happened to free play?
48:50 - Book/resource recommendations
50:10 - Conclusion
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free Spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
This episode of the Love What You Play podcast features Tim Adams, founder of Free Footie, a totally free after-school club for 4,000 kids in need. Tim shares his story of transitioning from journalist, to volunteer coach, to working to provide vulnerable kids with the opportunity to play in a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment. Learn more about Tim and Free Footie here: https://www.freefootie.ca/
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Falling in love with sport
3:45 - Favourite memory (barefoot football)
5:35 - Passion for journalism
9:30 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches (compassion, passion, commitment)
12:35 - Reasons for coaching soccer
19:30 - Growing Free Footie
24:30 - Partnering with community members
27:45 - Certifying refs
29:40 - Planning camps
31:10 - Success stories
32:50 - Dealing with burnout
36:50 - Emphasizing fun
44:00 - Organized free play
53:45 - How to contact Tim
54:30 - Leaving a legacy
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free Spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Dr. Guy Faulkner is a Professor at UBC's School of Kinesiology and producer of the documentary Running Free: Children's Independent Mobility. Host Glen Mulcahy and Dr. Faulkner discuss the 26-minute film, told through the eyes of three families. It explores the concept of children’s independent mobility and the benefits for children’s mental health, challenging viewers to consider solutions to this issue.
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game free Spring Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Today's episode features an exclusive interview with Rick Parnham, president of the Ontario Association of Basketball Officials, speaking about the value of referees in all sports, especially youth sports. Rick has served in multiple executive positions locally, provincially and internationally since 2001, and served as the Chairperson of Membership Development Committee for the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials from 2013-17.
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play Podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Spring Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Angela Lewis is the owner of Angela Lewis and Associates, where she hosts skill development training and basketball events specifically focused on empowering young women through sports. As a former professional basketball player, championship-winning coach, and author, she is passionate about empowering the lives of young people.
Learn more about her story and impact here:
https://www.angelarlewis.com/about
The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play Podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Spring Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/events
Marianna Brussoni's research focuses on child injury prevention:
"Current research interests include the influence of geographic, cultural and social places on parenting related to risk and safety; developmental importance of children’s risky play; the impact of injury on children’s health-related quality of life; injuries among Aboriginal populations; and injury surveillance.
I currently lead CIHR-funded research to develop an index of the playability of the built environment, and Lawson Foundation-funded research to develop an online tool, to reframe parents’ risk perceptions with the goal of facilitating children’s access to risky play. The tool is available at OutsidePlay.ca and the randomized controlled trial to test its effectiveness is underway. My work has been featured extensively in national and international media."
John is the Executive Director at National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS). He is a Florida Atlantic University graduate, a former multi-sport athlete, and an avid golfer. Like his father, Fred Engh, John is continuing to expand NAYS which is "educating, equipping, and empowering youth sports leaders, volunteers, and parents so all children can enjoy the lifelong benefits of sports". NAYS has reached countless members of the sports community, having thus far partnered with more than 3,000 community-based organizations and having trained over 4 million coaches, parents, officials, and administrators. Founded in 1981, NAYS has an incredible following and is advancing towards a vision of "a future where all youth sports coaches, parents, officials and administrators are educated, and all children have access to safe and positive sports experiences".
Lea works with community leaders across multiple sectors, developing the knowledge and capacity to deliver physical literacy and quality sport-enriched programs and services. After establishing one of the first Sport for Life community projects in her home town of Cochrane, AB, Lea went on to lead the RBC Learn to Play Community Mentorship on behalf of the Sport for Life Society. Currently, Lea is the project manager supporting physical literacy and quality sport in Indigenous schools and communities, as well as working as a Mentor for the Physical Literacy for Communities BC project.
Glen is joined by 2 guest speakers from B.C. Baseball Umpires Associationin this teaser episode of Love What You Play.
Rhonda Pauls is the Vice President and Education Chair at BCBUA.
Gord McFarlane is the Lower Mainland Director of BCBUA's grassroots program.
This is a teaser of our interview with Duff Gibson.
Click Here To Watch The Full Episode
Duff Gibson is a speaker, coach, advocate, and father. With his organization Dark Horse, a kids' multi-sport program, Duff aims to develop athleticism and foster an intrinsic love for sport.
With over 25 years of experience in player development and a long history as a coach with USA Hockey, Ken Martel was named technical director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model in May 2009. He is charged with helping provide a framework for associations nationwide to follow for optimal athlete development.
Sean Fitz-Gerald is the senior national writer for The Athletic, Toronto. He is the author of Before the Lights Go Out: A Season Inside a Game On the Brink, a poignant insight into Canadian Hockey. The book highlights Fitz-Gerald’s season with the Peterborough Petes, providing his own experience of the conflicting perspectives and motivations that affect hockey in Canada.
As a sports journalist, Fitz-Gerald has written for the National Post, the Canadian Press and the Toronto Star. He was named Canadian sportswriter of the year by Sports Media Canada in 2015.
“If you coach scared because you’re afraid to lose your job, it’s just like playing scared. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Having worked with youth sports, professional sports, and eSports teams, James Leath is well versed in training character development through a leadership and mental conditioning curriculum.
This teaser features a unique insight into the booming eSports industry through the eyes of an experienced youth sports coach. Leath highlights the similarities and differences between traditional sports and eSports, with lessons for parents and coaches of both sectors to take to heart.
James' Twitter
James' Website
Get your FREE copy of "5 Tips for Parents", an outline of the most important takeaways for ensuring that your child stays in love with their game and has fun all season.
Today's episode features a portion of Glen's conversation with 3 prolific guests! If you want to hear the full conversation, head to https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/register.
Veronica Allan has a PhD in Sport Psychology. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow in York University’s School of Kinesiology and Health Science, as well as an Independent Content Contributor and Coordinator at Canada’s Sport Information Resource Centre.
Cassidy Preston has a PhD in Sport Psychology. He is the founder and Lead Sport & Performance Psychology Consultant at Consistent Elite Performance, and the founder of Complete Hockey Training.
Jessica Fraser-Thomas has a PhD in Kinesiology and Health Science. She is an Associate Professor at York University School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Jessica has contributed to numerous research articles and books focusing on positive youth development.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
1:50 - "Kids lose if winning is all"
2:25 - Teaching transferable life skills with sport
6:05 - Long-term development leads to long-term success
13:30 - ‘Elite’ drafting at 5 years old
17:20 - Focusing on what the kids want
19:30 - Attrition rates
21:20 - Stressors for parents and coaches
23:40 - Affordable options for youth to have fun
26:20 - Recreating the structure of organized sports
31:10 - Community bonding
33:20 - Outro
Sean Fitz-Gerald is the senior national writer for The Athletic, Toronto. He is the author of Before the Lights Go Out: A Season Inside a Game On the Brink, a poignant insight into Canadian hockey. The book highlights Fitz-Gerald’s season with the Peterborough Petes, providing his own experience of the conflicting perspectives and motivations that affect hockey in Canada.
As a sports journalist, Fitz-Gerald has written for the National Post, Canadian Press and the Toronto Star. He was named Canadian sportswriter of the year by Sports Media Canada in 2015.
Table of Contents0:00 - Intro
2:30 - Growing up
3:35 - Working in journalism
5:05 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
6:50 - Life-long learning
9:20 - Athletics Canada
11:00 - Writing Before the Lights Go Out
13:10 - Top 3 issues facing hockey in Canada
18:15 - The element of fun
22:40 - Early-window sports
27:05 - Hockey and Canadian identity
29:10 - Balancing structure and free play
35:30 - Secrets of Swedish hockey
37:15 - Teaching youth to love the game
39:40 - Community of hockey
44:00 - Pay-to-play model
46:40 - Deep dive and advice for parents
52:45 - Book recommendations
Dr. Chris Bertram is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Bertram specializes in how human beings learn, and specifically how to create more optimal learning environments by tapping into flow states that lead to the ultimate goal of stress-resistant skill acquisition. As an academic, Dr. Bertram has published numerous scholarly articles in a wide range of human performance areas and has been featured in the Vancouver Sun, the Globe and Mail, and the New York Times. As a coach, Dr. Bertram has headed the UFV Cascades golf team for the past 14 years. In that time, his teams have won multiple National Championships and he has received numerous coaching awards at both the provincial and national level. As a high-performance expert, Dr. Bertram also works with Canada Snowboard in the role of Skill Acquisition Lead and Flow Coach, and does consulting work with various national teams through Canada’s Own the Podium program.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:15 - Childhood/growing up
6:30 - Coaching girls vs. coaching boys
12:10 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
17:34 - What is fun for you at a high level?
22:40 - Making mistakes in sport
28:45 - What is flow state?
34:10 - Flow state vs. mindfulness
37:10 - Flow state technology and drones
47:00 - The importance of flow state
55:10 - The journey of winning a championship
57:55 - Book recommendations
Tommy is the founder of Dr. Tommy John Performance and Healing Center in San Diego, California. With Master Degrees in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University, Dr. Tommy John brings over 17 years of health experience to the table. At the completion of his studies he played professional baseball for three years with teams such as the Schaumburg Flyers, the Tyler Roughnecks and the LA Dodgers. After his career was abruptly ended from a rare infection in his throwing shoulder, he developed his own baseball performance company providing over 11,000 baseball training sessions for baseball enthusiasts from ages six to thirty. Additionally, he expanded his practice of personal training, sports performance training and rehabilitation for all types of soft tissue injuries.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:04 - Growing up
7:00 - Kid-driven improvement
10:00 - Early sport specialization and intrinsic motivation
11:40 - Injuries in youth sports
15:20 - Disinterest and burnout
23:27 - The importance of free play
27:00 - “Elite” youth sport athletes
32:55 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
38:30 - Winning at all costs?
44:45 - Parent expectations
46:00 - Reversing the trends in youth sports
49:39 - Tommy’s patients
52:00 - Book recommendations
David Turner is the Coaching Children & Safeguarding Lead at UK Coaching, the region’s lead agency and charity for sports coaching. David co-authored the latest UK Coaching/NSPCC Safeguarding & Protecting Children workshop that 25,000 coaches attend annually, and the "First Steps into Coaching" workshop and resource aimed at getting parents from the stands and into coaching. David currently serves as the Lead Throws Coach at Loughborough University.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:09 - Growing up
5:25 - Sport specialization
9:12 - Attrition in the UK
12:57 - How organizations can make kids love the game more after the season than before
21:01 - David’s role in UK Coaching
23:24 - Abuse prevention
27:14 - Importance of multisport participation
30:37 - David’s work in coaching children
35:40 - Decline of free play
37:34 - Coaching tenure with Hollie and Becka
46:06 - Differences between coaching boys and girls
48:20 - Playing outside of comfort zones
52:02 - Shaving 5 years off the coaching learning curve
54:01 - Books and resources for coaches
56:50 - 10,000 hour fallacy
1:00:00 - Importance of lifelong learning
1:01:10 - Reaching David
Nick grew up in Wales and completed his undergraduate and masters degrees in the UK, before coming to Canada to complete his PhD at the University of Alberta in 2002. He is currently a Professor and Vice Dean (Research). Nick began coaching when he was 18, and spent five summers in the US working for Major League Soccer camps. He currently coaches at youth and adult levels in Edmonton. For fun, he runs ultramarathons, with his favourites being Sinister 7, Canadian Death Race, and Blackfoot Ultra.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:20 - Growing up and free play
4:45 - Challenges that youth sports parents face
9:05 - Multisport participation
15:56 - How organizations can try to reverse attrition rates
23:20 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
25:15 - Clare Drake and practice tips
28:49 - Nick’s research on free play and coaching
33:00 - Focusing on long-term athlete development
36:55 - Positive Youth Development (PYD) resources
40:20 - Role of organizations and coaches
42:50 - Youth sports attrition
45:05 - Positivity among youth sports parents
50:14 - Engaging parent meetings
55:15 - Book/resource recommendations for coaches and parents
59:05 - Tips for shaving 5 years off the coaching learning curve
1:05:18 - Connecting with Nick
With over 25 years of experience in player development and a long history as a coach with USA Hockey, Ken Martel was named technical director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model in May 2009. He is charged with helping provide a framework for associations nationwide to follow for optimal athlete development.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
1:34 - Growing up
2:26 - Issues parents are facing in youth sports
7:40 - Hockey parents and scouting
10:45 - Great characteristics of coaches
14:11 - Importance of continued education for coaches
20:31 - Ken’s USA Hockey work
24:15 - Rolling out the ADM Model
27:28 - Experiencing and reversing 60% attrition
33:47 - Differences between USA Hockey and Hockey Canada
38:14 - Multisport opinions and strategies
45:58 - Personal sport specialization history
48:34 - World Juniors and World Championships
52:16 - Success of Finland’s hockey organizations
55:50 - Maintaining sport culture
58:09 - Official attrition in America
1:00:42 - Ken’s proudest accomplishment
1:02:54 - Book recommendations
1:04:44 - Tips for coaches to shave 5 years off their learning curve
1:07:50 - Connecting with Ken and USA Hockey
Gordon MacLelland is the CEO and founder of Working with Parents in Sport (WWPIS) which he set up after 20 years as a teacher and coach to all age levels from 7 year olds to adults. He has a BA/Hons degree in Sports Science from University College Chester and a PGCE from Lancaster University. He is a qualified teacher and has been Director of Sport at an independent prep school in the UK for the last 10 years, and has worked in schools in both the UK and New Zealand for the last 16 years. Gordon is the author of two books, "Great Sports Parenting" and "Engage - How to Build Positive Relationships with Your Players' Parents". He is now a father and the early sporting experiences of his two children prompted him to set up the company as well as write the books above. When he speaks he brings a wealth of experience to working with parents, gathered through 20 years as a teacher and coach as well as a parent currently involved in children’s sport.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
2:10 - How Gordon’s organization has evolved since last year
5:03 - Shifting from dealing to engaging with parents, followed by tips
8:12 - Discussion about a viral baseball team video in Chicago
11:00 - Restricting competitive play to older groups
17:41 - Moresports experience and free play
20:00 - The importance of the behaviour of coaches
25:38 - Organizations supporting parents
29:29 - Defining fun in sports
32:50 - WWPIS’ objectives over the next 3-5 years
35:40 - Teaching both sports and life skills
36:25 - The importance of coaches continuing to learn after becoming certified
40:00 - Gordon’s take on the LTD model
42:00 - Early blooming kids and their “elite” label
43:39 - Reversing early sports specialization in the UK
48:25 - Kids loving only one game
50:47 - Books and other resource recommendations
52:17 - What coaches can do to shave 5 years off their learning curve
53:22 - Importance of coach mentorship and reflection
55:34 - Contacting Gordon and WWPIS
Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor at Boston College, is author of Free to Learn (Basic Books) and Psychology (Worth Publishers, a college textbook now in its 8th edition). He has conducted and published research in comparative, evolutionary, developmental, and educational psychology. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current research and writing focuses primarily on children's natural ways of learning and the lifelong value of play. His own play includes not only his research and writing, but also long-distance bicycling, kayaking, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.
Table of Contents0:00 - Intro
2:53 - Growing up
10:54 - What led you to being interested in free play?
23:30 - How rapidly has children’s play declined recently?
32:36 - Work with Lenore Skenazy
33:59 - Where is the happy medium of play with regards to safety?
38:20 - Discussion of the ideas and work of Dr. Michael Hynes, about free play in schools
43:07 - Examples of free play in sports, and what kids want
50:07 - Characteristics to have as coaches or teachers
55:03 - Impact of screen time on free play
1:01:51 - Shouldn’t 2-5 year old kids be playing outside instead of on screens?
1:06:10 - Are perceptions of danger a result of social media?
1:09:35 - Top book recommendations
1:10:43 - Emphasizing fun and free play to parents and coaches
1:13:20 - Street hockey ban in Nova Scotia
1:14:50 - Resources
1:18:00 - Age that kids can go out
Bryan Barlow is a motivational speaker and a passionate, highly-requested and recommended soccer referee. He is also a father, pilot, golfer, writer & Emmy award-winning TV producer, and husband of long-time best friend Lori Barlow. He is no stranger to center stage, so it was no surprise when his little “Offside” project went viral the summer of 2018.
Making a bold statement is one of the fundamental pillars of impactful marketing, and Barlow took his own advice a few years ago, offering $100 for anyone who captures referee abuse and posts it on the Offside page. They've received more than 6000 videos to date and are the only grassroots campaign discussing the negative impact fan behaviour has on youth sports.
Table of Contents0:00 - Intro
1:40 - Youth sports growing up
5:30 - Creation of the “Offside” page
10:50 - Referee attrition in the USA
17:20 - What have organizations done to improve the issue?
24:20 - Identifying the “2%”
29:05 - Parent outrage videos and what is the worst sport in that area?
32:30 - Wrestling outrages
35:00 - How can organizations retain their officials?
38:35 - Officials' pay and rewards
42:00 - What can we do to help young officials get better and be prepared?
47:00 - “Offside” training modules
52:00 - Just love watching them play
54:40 - Book recommendations
55:20 - Resources
58:00 - What can organizations do to make children love the game more?
Since 1985 John has been working for the National Governing Body of the sport, USA Volleyball (USAV), now as Director of Sport Development. He currently serves as the staff liaison for Disabled Programs, USA Deaflympic Teams, Starlings USA, National Parks and Recreation Assoc., the YMCA and over 30 other affiliated organizations working with USAV. He is Secretary of the NORCECA Technical and Coaches Commission, and Director of Development for World ParaVolley.
He was Team Leader for the 2000 USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Teams in Sydney, which brought home one gold medal, and for the 2004 USA Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team in Athens, which came home with the bronze medal.
In 1995, Volleyball Magazine’s special Centennial issue named him one of the 50 most important people in the sport in the past 100 years. In 2013 the American Volleyball Coaches Association inducted him as their 60th member of the AVCA Coaches Hall of Fame.
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
3:30 - Mentorship
6:45 - Mistakes in games/biomechanics of the game
12:40 - Different approaches to training
18:30 - Past vs. present John Kessel
21:50 - 2 most important skills in volleyball
25:15 - How coaches can handle learning
30:00 - The idea of “needing” to make practice look good
36:00 - A volleyball club that does it right
38:31 - Monetization model in volleyball
42:30 - John’s recommended video “Backwards Bicycle”
45:45 - Jump shoes and the mechanics of learning
47:40 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
52:30 - When did you specialize in volleyball?
53:05 - Book recommendations
53:50 - Definition of fun
58:00 - Resources
1:01:45 - What can coaches do to shave 5 years off their learning curve?
1:04:44 - How do we get kids to love the game more after the season ends?
Pete has been a varsity wrestling coach for 15 years and has faced the struggles every new coach has to go through. His first year coaching, the entire varsity team consisted of 8 kids and didn’t win a single match!
Over 15 years, his program has come a long way: two NY State Champions, 11 All-State Wrestlers, 22 Individual Section Champions, 50 All-Section Wrestlers and many dozens of All-League athletes.
For Pete, coaching is a passion and a labor of love. Now, with years of experience under his belt; dozens and dozens of books on coaching theory, sports psychology, performance nutrition, team building and motivation read and on his bookshelf; thousands of dollars' worth of clinics, seminars and classes attended and PLENTY of trial and error, Pete is out to ensure that coaches don't have to struggle with their questions on their own anymore!
Table of Contents
0:11 - Guest intro
2:18 - Personal youth sports experience/growing up
6:30 - Favourite memory
10:28 - His start to coaching
12:20 - What would you have done differently if you could go back?
16:10 - His teams philosophy
23:56 - Win smarter
27:35 - Engaging parents
31:00 - Core values
44:00 - His standards
48:00 - What can coaches do to help kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
52:40 - Resources
56:30 - #1 tip for new coaches to shave years off their learning curve
Dave Briglio is the Athletic Legacy Gameplan (ALG) Director for Complete3, an organization for sport, school, and career support, and he is the host of Making the Play Podcast. Growing up, Dave recognized that encouragement from coaches and supervisors was crucial for youth development, so now he dedicates his life to helping others. He created the ATHLETIC LEGACY GAMEPLAN (ALG) specifically to help Athletic Directors and coaches leave their mark on the world and serve their athletes through life, long after they have finished school. Core concepts under ALG include: addressing socioeconomic barriers, coaching male and female athletes, keeping kids in the game, nurturing creativity, fundraising, and more. His other current roles are trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance, Coach Development Trainer for US Lacrosse, and JV Girls’ Lacrosse Coach for Towson High School.
Table of Contents
0:24 - Guest intro
1:11 - Where did you grow up and what sports did you play?
3:41 - Early specialization
7:00 - Fondest memory from personal youth sports
16:16 - Getting into coaching
23:25 - Top 3 issues facing youth sports
27:14 - Athletic Legacy Game Plan
32:25 - Making the Play podcast
39:15 - What can coaches do so kids so kids love the game more at the end of the season than the beginning?
47:04 - Free play
50:41 - Resources
57:31 - What can coaches do to engage parents?
1:02:45 - #1 tip for coaches who are just starting out
Dr. Amy Saltzman is a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, long-time athlete, devoted student of transformation, wife, mother and occasional poet. Her passion is supporting people of all ages in achieving peak performance and finding flow. Amy has the privilege of being recognized by her peers as a visionary and pioneer in the field of mindfulness for athletes, coaches, and other high performers, as well as for kids, teens, and parents. She offers individual holistic medical care and both individual and team mindfulness coaching, in person and online, to athletes, coaches, children, adolescents, parents, teachers, therapists, allied professionals, and high-tech executives and employees.
Table of Contents0:30 - Guest intro
1:19 - Growing up
2:30 - Gymnastics
3:20 - Fondest memory
5:22 - Her most recent book 7:59 - What is mindfulness? 14:41 - How can mindfulness help?
19:39 - Steph Curry
21:20 - Mental aspects of sports
24:42 - Phil Jackson
28:40 - Mindfulness as a skill
38:20 - Safe-to-fail environment
45:15 - Asking “Why do you coach?”
51:30 - Parents
1:03:23 - What can we do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
1:06:10 - Resources
Mike Butters was a player in the AHL, a General Manager in the AHL, and Assistant GM for Tampa Bay Lightning. Today he occupies several roles as a Midget Hockey Coach for the Seattle Snow Kings Minor Hockey Association, the owner and president of Seattle Hockey Academy, the owner of Preferred Promotional Products, and a managing partner for Players Capital Group. Mike discusses key concepts such as coaching girls vs. boys, the importance of networking, the American Development model (ADM), coaching millennials and generation Z, the new NHL, and respect.
Table of Contents0:25 - Guest intro
1:19 - Youth sports growing up
5:08 - Phones/generational differences
8:13 - Teamwork and camaraderie
10:04 - Networking
22:02 - The impact that coaches have
29:55 - Respecting coaches and players
31:22 - Coaching girls
35:16 - His take on the new NHL
36:58 - American Development Model
46:25 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
55:41 - #1 tip for coaches just starting out
1:03:20 - Coaching minor hockey
As a Director of Coach Development, Chris’s responsibility is working with key stakeholders and partners to support the education, certification and advancement of coaching throughout the province.
He has been involved with VBC in many capacities since 2004. In his role he hopes to help coaches navigate the NCCP, support clubs in their quest to field trained and competent coaches, and develop strategies to recruit and retain coaches in the sport from grassroots to high performance. Chris is a former/current college, club, and high school coach. He is a long-serving Team BC coach, and has worked with Volleyball Canada’s National Team programs at a variety of levels.
Connect with ChrisWebsite
Table of Contents0:55 - Guest intro
1:35 - Youth sports experience/growing up
3:37 - Favourite memory
5:10 - Getting into coaching
8:00 - Pieces of advice for his younger self
10:30 - Lifelong learning for coaches
11:50 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
17:55 - Current role with Volleyball BC
20:10 - LTAD Model
23:00 - NCCP Model
29:00 - Online courses
33:10 - Coaches' limitations
40:30 - Ongoing development
42:35 - BC Volleyball conference
50:25 - Book recommendations
56:30 - Free play
1:00:00 - #1 tip for coaches that are just starting out
1:02:30 - What coaches can do to make kids love the game more
Chris Cerroni joined BC Soccer after his previous role as the Regional EXCEL Talent Manager (West) with Canada Soccer. In this position, Chris worked closely with both BC Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC to implement the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX programme in Partnership with BC Soccer,which was launched in January 2015.
Prior to his role with Canada Soccer, Chris was the Technical Director at Central City Breakers FC in Surrey and coached in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League with Mountain United. Chris has also worked for BC Soccer in various capacities over the past few years as a Grassroots Tutor, Coach Educator, and Head Coach of Boys' U15 Provincial Development Program.
As the Director of Soccer Development, Chris is responsible for leading all aspects of technical development within British Columbia that align with BC Soccer’s strategic objectives and Canada Soccer’s long-term player development model. He is also responsible for leading the Soccer Development team and BC Soccer’s priority pillars of Activity, High Performance, Grassroots and Coach Education.
Connect with ChrisWebsite
LinkedInTable of Contents0:29 - Guest intro
1:05 - Youth sports experience/growing up
3:37 - Getting into coaching
5:30 - Coaching certification for soccer in BC
7:42 - LTPD in Soccer Canada
12:40 - Pushback to mandating coaching certification
14:10 - Any online courses?
15:10 - Increasing female participation in soccer
20:10 - Dropout in soccer
26:06 - Parent education
29:38 - Engaging parents
33:10 - Top 3 characteristics of the greatest coach you ever had
36:53 - Keeping players in the game
40:09 - Issues affecting youth sports
41:34 - What can we do to ensure kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
46:30 - Specialization
51:40 - Resources
54:58 - #1 tip for coaches that are just starting out
57:00 - Iceland Certification Model
V.J. Stanley Jr. is an author and public speaker who formed Balanced Excellence (formerly Frozen Shorts) as a youth and high school sports injury prevention company. With over 30 years of experience and a published book, V.J. - and his holistic organic approach to teaching - is changing the youth and high school sports paradigm. He is (with a lot of help) using the Champion's Mindset to reset the youth and high school sports paradigm. He has done consulting work with high school and youth coaches, ex-professional athletes, college coaches, players, families, and youth organizations. V.J. believes that both mental and physical health are of long term benefit to all.
V.J.'s quotes:
"It's not my mission to decide when, if or how the light goes on for those participating in youth and high school sports. My goal is to just keep flipping the switch."
"Children learn from internal realization, not external force!"
Connect With V.J.
Table of Contents
00:14 - Guest intro
01:35 - Background and childhood experiences
02:44 - Best memories of sports
06:44 - Beginning of his coaching career
09:41 - Certification on coaching
12:26 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
15:02 - How can we help kids love the game more?
17:26 - How do you connect with your players?
27:08 - The 3 books he wrote
40:12 - A story from V.J.
43:40 - Balanced Excellence
48:55 - #1 tip for coaches
51:00 - Favourite book to recommend to coaches
1:02:00 - Wrapping up
Steve Boyle is widely recognized as the national leader in sport sampling and physical literacy in the United States. As a former Division 1 athlete and after nearly 30 years of counseling, teaching, working with children with cancer, athletic and life-coaching, as well as multiple entrepreneurial successes, Steve’s mission is to leave a sustainable legacy that will allow every citizen to gain the ability, balance, confidence, desire and explorative nature to be physically active for life. Recognized by the Aspen Institute’s Sport and Society Program in the original Project Play report for his sport-sampling approach, Steve works tirelessly to combat specialization in youth sports and wants physical literacy to be as commonplace and as expected as reading literacy and numeracy.
Connect with Steve
Table of Contents
00:41 - Guest intro
05:20 - "Life's Too Short for Just One Sport"
08:55 - 241 Sports
23:19 - What's leading to sports attrition?
26:35 - Free play
29:50 - Cutting kids from teams
32:40 - Learning empathy
39:29 - Long-term athlete development
42:09 - Developing coaches
45:47 - Books
49:49 - #1 coaching tip
53:29 - What's next for Steve?
Erika Howard is a former National Level rhythmic gymnast. When she was competing, her name was Erika Leigh Stirton, but she has since married Canadian Olympic rower Malcolm Howard. Her most successful competition was the 1998 Commonwealth games in which she earned 5 gold metals.
Erika believes in sport as a way to set youth up for success. She says that gymnastics can teach you “discipline, work ethic, persistence, taking criticism and learning from it, self development, becoming an independent learner, and working well in a team.”
After competing in rhythmic gymnastics, Erika began dancing and did a 3-year program in contemporary dance at the School of Toronto Dance. Additionally, she got involved with CrossFit and yoga. Erika received a general degree at the University of Guelph, but had an interest in psychology, and from there she went on to coach in rhythmic gymnastics and teach dance classes.
Connect with Erika
Table of Contents
0:25 - Guest intro
1:09 - Youth sports experience/growing up
7:10 - Perspective as an adult
11:35 - Switching from artistic to rhythmic gymnastics
13:06 - The 1998 Commonwealth Games
20:25 - Getting into coaching
24:15 - What she’s doing now
26:10 - Top 3 characteristics of coaches
29:40 - Engaging parents
35:10 - What can we do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
39:50 - Growth mindset
44:18 - Resources
51:55 - #1 tip to help coaches shave 5 years off their learning curve
Dr. Gordon Bloom is a well-published scholar of scientific articles and book chapters, and a Professor of Sport Psychology at McGill University who has worked with the world’s leading coaches and athletes as both a researcher and sport psychology practitioner for over 20 years. He is currently the director of the McGill Sport Psychology Research Laboratory that is focused on applied and theoretical research within sport. There are currently two interrelated themes of research in his lab:
(1) the knowledge, strategies and behaviours of coaches
(2) the psychosocial aspects of post-concussion rehabilitation in athletes
The majority of research has taken place under theme 1, and involves identifying effective knowledge, strategies, and behaviours employed by coaches in terms of leadership practices, mentoring, and team building to develop successful and well-balanced athletes. Related to this, he currently works for the United States Olympic Committee as part of their National Team Coach Leader Education Program.
On the second theme, his research program has answered questions pertaining to the psychological and social factors that affect and improve recovery from concussions. For example, the results have identified the serious emotional responses (depression, attempted suicide) and reduced academic performance that athletes with this injury experience. The results of this research highlight the need for practitioners to incorporate social and psychological components for treating concussed athletes, particularly those with long-term symptoms.
In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities at McGill, Dr. Gordon Bloom is a member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association. In his professional practice, Dr. Bloom has consulted with amateur, professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes and taught them how to use mental skills to accelerate their level of performance in sport and life.
Connect with Dr. Bloom
Table of Contents
0:23 - Guest intro
0:50 - Growing up
1:42 - Fondest memory
3:10 - When did you get into coaching?
5:50 - Why pick sports psychology?
7:40 - John Wooden
14:00 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
15:40 - More about great coaches
24:20 - Chantal Vallée
34:50 - Mentorship
37:07 - Engaging parents
40:35 - 41-nothing game
43:45 - What can we do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
44:55 - Resources
50:10 - #1 tip for new coaches to shave 5 years off their learning curve
David Newson works with the Semiahmoo Minor Hockey Association alongside a dedicated board of community leaders to enhance the minor hockey experience for the members of the Semiahmoo Hockey community. David provides leadership and resources for a great group of coaches to facilitate a positive growth experience for players in their hockey development. As a Sledge Hockey Technical Delegate for the International Paralympic Committee, David leads technical aspects of IPC World Championships and Paralympic Winter Games. From 2008 to 2010 David recruited, trained and led a team of 400 volunteers to execute the games as a Sport Coordinator for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Connect with David
Table of Contents
0:31 - Guest intro
1:20 - Personal youth sports experience/growing up
3:35 - Specializing in hockey
4:59 - “Elite kids”
10:00 - Becoming a coach
12:12 - 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
15:40 - Multisport
24:35 - Youth sports attrition
34:50 - The cost of youth sports
41:50 - Engaging parents
47:40 - Love the game
48:57 - Resources
51:57 - #1 tip for new coaches to help them shave 5 years off their learning curve
Vicki Harber is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta from the Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation. Vicki was honoured in 2011 and 2012 by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity as one of the Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity. Vicki was a rower for the 1980 and 1984 Canadian Olympic Rowing teams. She is involved in researching the female athlete as an academic, she coaches an elite girls’ soccer team and she is a parent. Her experience and passion have driven to work with those who can make a difference in the world of high performance, particularly for girls and women.
Connect with Vicki
Table of Contents
0:27 - Guest intro
1:20 - Personal youth sports experience/growing up
7:22 - Fondest memory
9:16 - Coaching girls vs. boys
19:00 - Injuries
27:45 - Coach training
39:45 - Competition
42:15 - Top 3 characteristics of the greatest coach you ever had
46:00 - What can coaches do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
56:00 - Resources
59:30 - #1 tip for coaches to shave 5 years off their learning curve
Bob Mancini has extensive coaching experience in the collegiate, professional and international ranks and was named a regional manager of USA Hockey’s American Development Model in July 2009. He helps provide local associations in Illinois, Michigan and Missouri with a blueprint for optimal athlete development that focuses on age-appropriate training utilizing long-term athlete development principles. Mancini joined USA Hockey having spent two seasons (2007-09) as a development coach for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. His additional USA Hockey stints included serving as the director of player personnel for the U.S. National Junior Team that earned the silver medal at the 1997 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Geneva and Morges, Switzerland. He was also an assistant coach at the 1997 and 1998 IIHF Men’s World Championships, the 1998 and 1999 IIHF World Junior Championships, and the 1999 and 2000 IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championships.
Table of Contents
0:55 - Youth sports experience growing up
8:55 - Hockey attrition
17:48 - Checking
23:18 - The ADM
34:40 - Skill and tactics
36:59 - 41-nothing game in Ontario
47:05 - Practice-to-game ratio
52:41 - Culture
58:40 - Free play
1:01:52 - 10 coaching commitments
1:05:40 - NHL's Guiding Principles (specifically multisport)
1:10:23 - Rapid-fire questions
1:15:15 - What can coaches do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
Duff Gibson is a World and Olympic Champion in Skeleton and the founder of Dark Horse Athletic. Duff competed from 1999 to 2006 when he won gold in the Men’s Skeleton Race. This win made Duff the oldest Canadian Winter Games Gold Medalist and the oldest Individual Winter Gold Medalist in the world.
Today, Duff Gibson is a speaker, coach, advocate, and father. With his organization Dark Horse, a kids' multi-sport program, Duff aims to develop athleticism and foster an intrinsic love for sport.
Connect with Duff
Table of Contents
0:21 - Guest intro
1:01 - Growing up/personal youth sports experience
11:23 - Olympics
16:06 - Win with humility, lose with dignity
28:45 - Respect and accountability
33:49 - Dark Horse Athletic
38:40 - Growth mindset
39:45 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
45:55 - Top 3 issues facing youth sports (early sport specialization)
55:05 - Books/resources
1:07:10 - What can coaches do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
1:08:50 - #1 tip for youth sports coaches to help them shave 5 years off their learning curve
Demetrius Clark is an experienced track coach and personal trainer with a demonstrated history of working in athletics. Demetrius is skilled in Navy Medical, Fitness Training, Injury Prevention, and Speed development in track. He is a strong community and social services professional and graduated from Indiana University Northwest. From 2000 to 2008, while serving two deployments during OIF in 2003 and 2005, Demetrius became an eight-year US Navy Hospital Corpsman Veteran. As a certified personal trainer through NASM and certified with the USTFCCCA in track and field technical coaching, he is currently a Sprints Coach for Plainfield South High School and a Personal Trainer for Planet Fitness and Crossroads YMCA.
Connect with Demetrius
Table of Contents
0:38 - Guest intro
1:49 - Certifications
5:35 - Youth sports growing up
8:20 - Getting his new job
13:35 - Why do you coach?
15:22 - His coaching philosophy
16:58 - Advice For New coaches
22:49 - Parent interaction
24:58 - Harassment and bullying
30:15 - Top 3 characteristics of the greatest coaches you’ve ever had
33:25 - Developing relationships with your players
36:08 - Top 3 issues causing youth sports attrition
44: 07 - What can we do to make sure kids love the sport more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
46:30 - References
49:38 - #1 tip for new coaches
Rick Benson is a well-known figure in the softball community. As Executive Director for Softball BC, Rick implements strategies as directed by the Softball BC Board of Directors, and he acts as a liaison with provincial and national sport bodies. In addition to being the Executive Director for Softball BC, Benson frequently volunteers his time to the sports world. From 2000 to 2008 he was a member of a volunteer committee to organize and oversee Canada Cup International Softball tournaments. In 2010, he was a volunteer for an organizing committee during the BC Summer Games.
As a coach for a recreational level fastpitch softball team, Benson illustrates his passion and loyalty to sport. He began coaching the team in 1997, and 21 years later he still coaches the same team as adults, of which 3 of the original players remain.
Rick Benson’s other contributions include: Parks, Recreation and Sport Tourism Committee Member and Outdoor Sport Advisory Committee for Surrey BC; Team Manager for Western Canada Summer Games, Team BC Softball; Association President, Cloverdale Minor Softball; and more.
Key Topic: How to coach girls vs. boys
Table of Contents
0:35 - Intro
3:10 - Greatest youth sports memory
4:20 - How did you get into softball?
6:34 - Dropout rates in softball
11:10 - Coaching boys vs. girls
15:40 - Softball BC key initiatives, LTPDM (long-term player development model), Matrix Model
19:30 - Specialization
21:35 - Issues facing youth sports today (E-gaming/technology, early specialization)
25:01 - LTPD softball: “Our best coaches should be the ones coaching the 8, 9, 10 year olds”
30:35 - Training softball coaches
32:40 - Working with parents; communication
36:30 - Goal setting
40:50 - Flow/fast pitch
43:40 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
49:57 - What can we do so the kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
53:17 - Resources
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“On the surface, it makes sense. Get a kid to do something all the time, he’s going to be really great at it… but then you dive a little further and you realize that’s not how we develop. You don’t just go to school to learn math at the expense of English, you learn a little bit of everything.”
Jeremy Frisch is the owner of Achieve Performance Training. Growing up, Jeremy had access to an athletic environment where kids played outside, made their own sports teams and tournaments, and casually tried many different sports at parks or courts near their home. Today, because of numerous reasons, he feels that kids don’t have the same opportunities to develop a love for athleticism and physical literacy – that’s why at Achieve Performance Training, he implements strength and conditioning techniques with a playground twist. Kids can develop the muscles and coordination they’re missing in a fun way. In our conversation with Jeremy we talked about coaching his son's football team, the importance of teaching proper tackle and blocking technique, free play, the lengthening of sports seasons, Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTADM), and many other great insights.
Connect with Jeremy
Achieve Performance Training
YouTube
Table of Contents
0:49 - Guest intro
1:42 - Growing up/personal youth sport experience
5:57 - Starting tackle football
7:42 - Tackling and blocking (football and rugby)
16:43 - Getting into coaching football
22:22 - Early sport specialization and free play
36:42 - Harassment
38:07 - Being a parent coach/sports parent
42:07 - Lengthening of seasons
43:47 - His track experience
43:14 - Top 3 characteristics of the greatest coaches
49:07 - LTAD Model
53:17 - Achieve Performance Training
57:49 - How to help kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning
59:28 - Resources
1:03:17 - #1 tip for coaches to shave 5 years off their learning curve
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“I think we’re too often rushing kids past the fundamentals and that leaves them with a faulty foundation.”
Darren Wensor resides in Sydney, Australia. Growing up, he participated in Little Athletics, a modified track and field program for kids age 5-15. Darren earned his degree in physical athletics and English, and today he works with Little Athletics! As an educator of 28 years, Darren travels all over Australia to teach coach and athlete development. He says, “I love making people better at helping other people”. Darren posts regularly on his blog and social media with demonstrations of drills for improving athleticism, especially for track and field events. He is all about making sports fun for kids, and “disguising drills”. Some of the key concepts you will learn from Darren during his talk are the Youth Physical Development Model, the FTEM Model (Foundation, Talent, Elite, Mastery), how to make drills fun, and other great tips!
Connect with Darren
Website
Table of Contents
1:05 - Guest intro
2:52 - Youth sports growing up
8:10 - Getting into coaching
14:53 - A typical day for Darren
19:14 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
22:57 - LTAD in Australia
29:20 - Cost of sport in Australia
30:13 - Youth sports attrition rates
38:05 - Drills
39:40 - Engaging parents
44:17 - What can we do so kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
55:20 - Resources
58:36 - #1 tip to help new coaches shave 5 years off their learning curve
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“I want you to explore movement more. Not necessarily in the sport you love, but I want you to go play on the monkey bars, I want you to go wrestle, I want you to do some gymnastics and some vaulting and some yoga.”
As the founder and owner of Long Lake Sports & Orthopaedic Physiotherapy (based in Nanaimo, British Columbia), Kyla Hartnell has worked extensively with national amateur and professional hockey and rugby players, and loves the challenge of getting athletes performing their best as quickly as possible post-injury. She grew up on skates playing ringette, hockey, and figure skating. As an adult, she has completed numerous international marathons, Ironman Canada, and competed at a National level in basketball and softball. Kyla is the sister of NHL player Scott Hartnell, and together they co-authored a children’s book titled Hartnell Down - also the name of Scott’s charity foundation. In our talk with Kyla we discussed overuse injuries, concussions, Tommy John’s Surgery, multi-sport opportunities, and much more!
Connect with Kyla
longlakephysio.com
Table of Contents
1:07 - Guest intro
1:52 - Personal youth sports experience
5:43 - Hartnell Down
7:57 - Resilience
11:02 - Life lessons from the NHL
14:08 - Importance of the first few years in a sport
16:09 - Overuse injuries
19:47 - Tommy John’s Surgery
27:12 - Got Game/multisport
32:35 - Top 3 issues facing youth sports
38:49 - Reversing negative trends
41:05 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
43:45 - What can we do to help kids love their sport more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
46:22 - Resources
53:05 - #1 tip for new coaches
“We all know that organized chaos tends to lead to the best coaching sessions."
You can’t blame parents for being excited to go watch their kids play sports. Instead of “dealing” with parents, Gordon MacLelland, founder of Working with Parents in Sport and author of the Sporting Dos and Don’ts handbook for parents, engages and involves parents in the athletics process to ensure success for the teams he works with. In this heartwarming talk, Gordon discusses proactive communication with parents and the importance of organized chaos.
Gordon is also a Fan Fave Replay for our Winter 2018 Youth Sports Summit
Connect with Gordon
parentsinsport.co.uk
Table of Contents
0:42 - Guest intro
1:15 - Gordon's background
5:17 - Working with Parents in Sport
12:14 - Gordon's kids
14:09 - Networking
15:43 - Engage, Gordon's newest pocketbook
22:40 - Why do parents become so involved?
25:25 - What he would do differently if he could go back to the beginning of his coaching career
29:26 - Ownership
34:07 - Officials
41:18 - Top 3 issues in youth sport
46:40 - E-Gaming
49:40 - Competition
50:56 - Resources
54:40 - #1 tip for coaches to shave 5 years off their learning curve
“How will you know at the end of the season that you did a good job as a coach?”
Dr. Wade Gilbert, author of Coaching Better Every Season, has spent 25 years conducting applied research with coaches around the world spanning all sports and competitive levels. From spending time with John Wooden to working with the Olympic Games, Dr. Gilbert has greatly influenced disciplines dedicated to optimizing development and performance across sport settings. He talks with us about competition being done in the right way so that it is healthy, positive, and fun, and the importance of changing sporting environments so that behaviours will follow.
Connect with Dr. Gilbert
Book
Website
Videos
Table of Contents
0:40 - Guest intro
1:43 - Personal youth sports experience
5:00 - Pickup hockey and free play
7:23 - John Wooden
9:30 - Getting back into hockey
11:35 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
15:20 - Competing
16:50 - Coaching youth sports
21:57 - How we can help new coaches shave 5 years off their learning curve
25:45 - Parents
35:30 - 4 I's of transformational leadership
41:03 - How can a coach connect with their players?
50:30 - Early sport specialization versus LTAD
58:5 - What can coaches do to make sure kids love the game more at the end of the season than they did at the beginning?
1:04:50 - Resources
1:07:10 - What's next for Dr. Wade Gilbert?
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion about harassment and suicide
“Kids don’t have money so no one is going to invest in protecting them unless we advocate for them.”
Dr. Jennifer Fraser is renowned for her work in calling to action those participating in the fight against child abuse, specifically that done by teachers and coaches. In this powerful talk, Dr. Fraser discusses the tendency of major sports organizations to protect abusers as opposed to the victims, implementations of anonymous reporting systems, and the need for a mass change in a system that has been allowing the denial of abuse for decades. As well, Dr. Fraser presents reasoning for the ‘under the rug’ approach to abuse, and different ways to solve this epidemic.
Connect with Dr. Fraser
Teaching Bullies: Zero Tolerance on the Court or in the Classroom
Website
YouTube
Table of Contents
0:39 - Guest intro
1:22 - Personal youth sports experience
2:35 - Current projects
4:48 - Writing "Teaching Bullies"
7:48 - Abuse in sport
10:50 - Changes in the government
17:20 - The cycle
20:40 - Dr. Fraser's modules
21:55 - Reporting abuse
29:40 - Creating a moment
31:00 - International students
33:40 - Coaches' perspective
38:30 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
41:28 - Top 3 issues facing youth sports today
49:50 - Ensuring kids love the game
50:25 - Resources for coaches and parents
53:32 - #1 tip for coaches just starting out
55:40 - Future projects
“The way we played not only garnered national titles; it developed great people.”
As a young athlete, Olympic rower Jason Dorland was coached to fear failure, and that there was no tactic or strategy that was unacceptable in trying to attain the goal of winning. Using this attitude as a coach himself, he realized how afraid his athletes were of disappointing him. In this talk, Jason discusses the importance of loving your sport, the true spirit of the Olympics, and the exceptional results that come from creating a 'Safe to Fail' environment for your athletes.
Connect with Jason
Website
YouTube
Table of Contents
0:44 - Guest intro
5:51 - His proudest accomplishments in coaching
7:42 - Jason's coaching mindset evolution
15:40 - Top 3 issues in youth sports today
29:17 - What we can do to ensure kids love their sport
39:26 - Books
42:58 - Tip for coaches to shave 5 years off their learning curve
48:10 - Projects
53:13 - Coaching different generations
“[The parents] look at all these kids doing all these clinics, doing all these extra things, and thinking, this is what I have to do. If I’m going to put my child through this sport, I need all this money to do the extra.”
Author Allyson Tufts has done a fantastic job in articulating the highs and lows of being a parent to a child athlete in her debut novel Lessons From Behind the Glass. Through the anxiety-ridden experiences of watching her children navigate their respective sports, Allyson has shared her stories in a way that is easily accessible, comforting, and entertaining to any athletic parent. Allyson joined us to discuss the impact of the adults in youth sports, whether it be parents or coaches, checking their egos at the door and asking for their kids’ advice every once in a while.
Connect with Allyson
lessonsfrombehindtheglass.com
Table of Contents
0:38 - Guest intro
2:30 - Personal youth sports experience
4:56 - Writing her book
5:52 - Looking for a publisher
7:28 - BC Hockey
10:29 - Hockey Eastern Ontario
11:42 - Home Town Hockey
13:24 - Hockey New Brunswick
15:53 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
18:37 - Engaging parents
22:50 - Her husband's coaching
29:05 - Top 3 issues in youth sports
32:30 - Year-round sports
36:26 - Ensuring kids love the game
47:38 - #1 tip for coaches just starting out
49:45 - Attrition with officials
52:58 - What's next?
“When you don’t have the ball, what are you doing to improve yourself? To improve the outcome of the game? To move yourself forward?”
After representing Canada in the 2012 Olympics, Martin Reader changed paths and now uses his knowledge of both mental and physical health to tackle his goals of reducing lifestyle diseases and keeping younger populations active. Here, Martin discusses the coaching techniques used by his most memorable Olympic coaches; the athlete’s ability to train the mind; and the lack of experience in team-building skills, healthy living, and handling failure that comes with 70% of children dropping out of sports by the age of 13.
Book Recommendations
Winning Through Enlightenment by Ron Smothermon
12 Rules for Life by Jordon Peterson
Connect with Martin
YouTube
Website
Table of Contents
0:42 - Guest intro
1:05 - Martin's youth sports experience
3:00 - Choosing volleyball
4:15 - What it was like at the Olympics
10:25 - After the Olympics
14:26 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
18:18 - Martin's experience coaching
24:39 - Coaching different age groups
27:26 - Top 3 issues affecting youth sports
35:00 - Loving the sport
39:40 - Books
41:57 - #1 tip for new coaches
44:26 - What's next for Martin
47:00 - 5 years from now
“'Because I said so' as a coach shouldn’t be good enough. We should be able to answer 'Why?' and if we can’t, it’s because we’re unprepared.”
While hockey has long been his background, playing 4 years of Junior and professional seasons across Europe, Nate Leslie is renowned for his passion for coaching and his West Coast Hockey Prep Camp. Nate joins us to talk about the integration between coaching and educating, as well as two of the four sources of motivation: Mastery and Service. Nate supports these two intrinsic motivations as being far more sustainable than ego-boosters and encourages kids to love the pure joy of improvement.
Book Recommendations
The Coach's Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
The Power of Why by Amanda Lang
Table of Contents
0:29 - Guest intro
3:53 - Top 3 issues in sport
7:06 - Loving the sport
12:58 - Transition from athlete to "real world"
17:10 - Choosing hockey
19:33 - Nate's upcoming projects
22:33 - Books
24:30 - Nate's family
28:30 - Millennials
31:10 - #1 tip for new coaches
35:35 - Top 3 characteristics of great coaches
37:10 - Nate's platforms
39:40 - How Glen and Nate met
"When we think of their physical development, the mental expectation that we have of kids is much higher than what a lot of them can cope with."
Donna Perry is a mental training specialist and has consulted elite, amateur and professional athletes in most sports. In this talk, Donna highlights the roles of not only the parents in development, play time, and asking questions, but the roles of coaches and athletes as well. Donna also discusses the importance of open lines of communication very early on in the season, being able to change developmentally with your athletes through their teenage years, and the impact of putting responsibility into the hands of youth.
Book Recommendations
In Pursuit of Excellence by Terry Orlick
Hockey Tough by Saul L. Miller
Connect with Donna
Table of Contents
0:41 - Guest intro
1:15 - Personal sports experience
16:50 - Top 3 characteristics of a great coach
25:05 - Engaging parents
32:58 - Coaches' connections to players
43:12 - Resilience
50:30 - Loving the game
54:51 - Books
56:30 - #1 tip for coaches just starting out
1:01:10 - What's next for Donna?
“The game is their teacher. The drills aren’t their teacher, [the] engagement exercises aren’t their teacher. No one lies in bed dreaming of doing drills. They lie in bed at night dreaming about playing more with their friends.”
Coaching from junior sporting events to the Olympic Games has given Wayne Goldsmith international credibility as a “whole sport” innovator and educator. He shares some of his experiences with us and what he’s learned in the meantime. In this talk, he discusses the difference between How, What, and Why coaches, genuine commitments to lifelong learning, and the capacity to inspire through emotional connection.
Wayne's YouTube
Wayne's Website
Wayne's Facebook
Wayne's Twitter
Books
Leading Without Leading by Wayne Goldsmith
Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
Table of Contents
0:34 - Guest intro
2:50 - Wayne's youth sports experience
6:00 - Coaching coaches
8:45 - Transformational coaching in Australia
13:17 - Coaching outside of physiology
16:35 - "Elite" kids
26:46 - Early sport specialization
31:15 - The increase in sport dropout
43:46 - PLAYING
46:07 - Top 3 characteristics of a great coach
48:15 - Respect in sportsmanship
50:20 - Parent education
54:56 - Loving the game
58:37 - Books
1:05:48 - Tips for new coaches
1:08:19 - Wayne's upcoming projects
“Confidence is very important for an Olympic athlete, and confidence is very important for a 10-year-old. But for a 10-year-old, as a coach, you’re probably going to be using different strategies to be building confidence.”
As director in the School of Kinesiology of Queen’s University, Dr. Jean Côté’s most recent work has examined the influence of different coach-athlete relationships on athletes’ outcomes. We talk with him about the theory of transformational leadership, transformational coaching as the ‘how’ of coaching, and the outcome of sport as a function of the Four C’s: Competence, Confidence, Connection, and Character.
Jennifer Turnnidge's Email
Jean's Email
Jean's Twitter
Books Recommended by Dr. Jean Côté
Coaching Better Every Season by Wade Gilbert
In Pursuit of Excellence by Terry Orlick
Changing the Game by John O’Sullivan
The Sports Genes by David Epstein
Table of Contents
0:43 - Guest intro
1:28 - Youth sports experience
6:50 - Transformational Model/4 Cs
11:25 - Examples of 4 Cs in Use
16:47 - 4 Is
26:09 - The pressure to win
29:43 - Top 3 issues affecting youth sports
39:00 - Developing relationships with players
46:43 - Book recommendations
49:30 - #1 tip to help coaches
52:54 - Ensuring kids keep loving the game
56:41 - What's next?
"We don't do enough to engage the kid. We're doing too much to engage everybody else except that kid."
Matt Young takes pride in his company, Personal Sport Record, being different from other athletic development software in that it focuses on the measure of a complete athlete (competence, character, connection, and confidence). Even more, it highlights the importance of safety in two fields: concussions and abuse. Matt talks with us about coaches’ clearly articulated visions for their seasons, taking away opportunities for screen time, and creativity being the key to innovation.
Matt's Email
Matt's Twitter
Personal Sport Record Website
Books recommended by Matt
Coaching Better Every Season by Wade Gilbert
Open - Autobiography by Andre Agassi
Table of Contents
0:45 - Guest intro
1:38 - Youth sports experience: then vs. now
4:38 - All about Personal Sport Record
12:45 - Safety in Sport
15:37 - Other organizations
19:39 - Elevating others
27:40 - Parents
38:15 - What leads to sports attrition
48:27 - Book recommendations
52:12 - Tips for youth sports coaches just starting out
“From a research standpoint… we kind of know what to do, but the key thing now is not only coach education and the translating of that research into practice, but also helping sport leaders and coaches implement it into their clubs, schools, and communities.”
Dr. Joe Eisenmann has published 160 peer-reviewed papers and has held faculty positions from the University of Wyoming to York University. However, Dr. Eisenmann has since left academia to pursue what he deems imperative to the development of youth sports: making research on long term athletic development and sports science accessible and understandable to those outside of academia. In this talk, he discusses the importance of fundamental movement skills, negotiating with “play to win” coaches, and helping coaches with evidence-based implementation.
Dr. Eisenmann's Book Recommendation
Dr. Eisenmann's Twitter
Get your FREE copy of "5 Tips for Parents", an outline of the most important takeaways for ensuring that your child stays in love with their game and has fun all season.
“When we look at sports in a high school setting, unfortunately it’s about banners and championships and all-stars, and it’s wrong. It’s all about the result and it’s not about the process.”
With over 35 years of educational experience, specifically with elementary, middle, and high school athletics, Glenn Young has a wealth of knowledge on the importance of Physical Education and how it prepares young students for learning. Glenn finds his mission in kids who don’t have inherent athletic ability, or who only attend PE classes because they are mandatory. Glenn discusses enthusiasm about public school athletic education, the role of physical education, and the divide between public school coaching and teaching.
Glenn's Twitter
Glenn on the Quality Coaching Collective
Get your FREE copy of "5 Tips for Parents", an outline of the most important takeaways for ensuring that your child stays in love with their game and has fun all season.
“You put your own oxygen mask on before you put on anyone else’s.”
Working across a plethora of fields for the past 10 years, as a coach, kinesiologist, facilitator, speaker, strategist, and consultant, Elisa Maruzzo works to make active living the easy and desirable choice. In parallel with one of her core beliefs, Elisa discusses with us the importance of active education across the whole lifespan. As well, she examines Physical Education as a classroom, making sure coaches know their impact as lifelong role models, and instilling confidence and desire in both children and adults.
Elisa's Twitter
Check out the work Elisa's doing
Get your FREE copy of "5 Tips for Parents", an outline of the most important takeaways for ensuring that your child stays in love with their game and has fun all season.
“If you coach scared because you’re afraid to lose your job, it’s just like playing scared. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Having worked with youth sports, professional sports, and eSports teams, James Leath is well versed in training character development through a leadership and mental conditioning curriculum. James talks about the parallels between traditional sports and eSports, not having to work with parents in eSports, and the mental training, teamwork, and bonding that goes into being a complete cognitive athlete.
James' Twitter
James' Website
Get your FREE copy of "5 Tips for Parents", an outline of the most important takeaways for ensuring that your child stays in love with their game and has fun all season.