Mike Friday - Head Coach of the USA 7’s.   Geezer and I have crossed paths in rugby circles in almost every capacity as players, coaches, on the same team and on opposite sides.    Now I have been retired for some time, it is with great clarity that I can say that Mike is the best coach I ever had - a superb mixture of incredibly detailed technical appreciation, motivational skills and the ability to create a culture that bred excellence are just some of the reasons why I rate him so highly.   This interview was recorded in August of 2019 and we had an in-depth chat about the achievements and challenges for USA rugby - both the 7’s and the 15-a-side version of the game.   We got into coaching philosophies and Mike shared some genuine coaching knowledge-bombs. If you are a young or new coach then there is some seriously good advice in this episode for you.   And lastly, we talked about Mike’s amateur club - Bromley RFC where three generations of the family Friday are still involved.    LINKS Mike can be contacted on Instagram @mikefriday09, on Twitter @mikefriday09 or LinkedIn - Mike Friday. Get Buzzing - https://www.getbuzzing.co.uk/ use code BURFORD20 at checkout for a 20%discount.   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

Ben Ward   Ben is the Director of Rugby at Ealing Trailfinders and has been involved with the club since their days in London Div 2. He was fly-half and Head Coach during the 2012-13 season when I played my single season for the club.   This interview was recorded August of 2000 and 19 at the always improving home of Ealing Trailfinders - Vallis Way. We covered some fascinating topics: The changes Ben has witnessed whilst climbing the leagues, thoughts on the new law trials and providing a fabulous environment for young players to improve and also get an education in their Academy.   LINKS http://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/team/get-tickets Use the code FIVEOFF at checkout   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

Andy Muldoon   Andy was a former team-mate at Old Colfeians RFC and he also played plenty of rugby for Bedford Athletic and North Bristol. We talked about Mulders’ rugby journey which flowed into very interesting topics like the rights and wrongs of team initiations and the pros and cons of earning money in the murky world of semi-professionalism. There are also a couple of truly heartwarming rugger tales.   LINKS @andymuldoon on Twitter The Drop-goal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3zseJ8sE3A Muldoon's Amazing 10-point Tour Check List   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

Rod Turner   I first met Rod Turner as a team-mate at Esher RFC. An athletic 2nd Row, Rod is one of the most universally liked players that I have come across in our great sport. He's a real team man and social king.   We had a brilliant chat about video stitch-ups, Italian flash-mobs and what it’s like to play for the 2nd XV of every rugby club in London.   LINKS Contact Rod via email - [email protected] If you are interested in property investment, then you will find great resources in Rod’s Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/incomethroughproperty/ Rod’s Podcast - The Rodcast can be found here - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rodcast/id1479224466   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

Vicky Fleetwood   She's an England International, she's a World Cup winner and she's bossing it on Instagram! Vicky Fleetwood is on the pod!   Vicky and I had a great chat about her amazing achievements, exciting developments in the women's game and developing the next generation at Old Colfeians RFC.   LINKS @vickyfleetwood_ on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vickyfleetwood_   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

Martin Davey and I were teammates for many years at Old Colfeians RFC and spent three more seasons running the team as DoR/1stXV Manager. We are also former work-mates in the London Fire-Brigade. Our rugby history goes back a long way!   LINKS Old Colfeians announce Tim Tunnicliff as DoR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jggtg4YnCD0 Croatia rugby kit - https://twitter.com/AlbionRFC/status/1161610123246276608 Al Knuckey kick which led to social media shaming - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va9grfq1Mik   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast page.

Matt Townsend   'Towner' and I have played a lot of rugby over the years across many different teams - Cheltenham Civil Service, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Colts, Combined London Old Boys and of course Old Colfeians.   We had a good dig through our rugby history and enjoyed reminiscing about the social side of the game.   LINKS Towner kindly offered to provide some assistance and advice to anyone aspiring to a career in a 'big 4' accountancy firm. Contact me on [email protected] and I will pass on your details.   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast page.

Chris Tunnicliff   He ain't heavy...   From tackling practice in the back garden to playing together for Cheltenham RFC and Gloucestershire Schools to recently coaching minis rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC, it's been a long rugby-filled ride with my only sibling.   LINKS Chris has kindly managed to offer a membership discount for any new mini or junior players that want to try rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC. Just email [email protected] to find out more details.   The Coaching Matrix Chris mentioned can be found on the Hampshire RFU website. (https://www.hampshirerugby.com/media/PDFLibrary/Forms-Minutes/ERRFC%20Coach%20Skills%20Matrix%202018-19.pdf)   Lastly, Chris can be contacted via @c_tunni on Twitter   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast page.

A short introductory episode to introduce myself, Tim Tunniclif - your host of The Amateur Rugby Podcast and the podcast itself.

I talk through my history of involvement in rugby and explain exactly what the podcast will and will not be.

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast page.