Nathan Parnham is an athletic development coach based in Brisbane, Australia. He is currently the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Brisbane Grammar School and has worked at Parramatta Eels (NRL) and Aussie 7s (Rugby Australia) and with athletes across a variety of sports from the Australian Netball League, A/W-league's, NRL, Super Rugby, Rugby7s, and the ITF Tennis Circuit. He also has a book that is about to be released in the end of June called the Sporting Parent, which details everything a parent needs to ensure their kid succeeds in sport and life.

QUOTES

“Most coaches sing the same song but the parents oftentimes listen to a different playlist with their kids sporting development”

“Gymnastics is by far the best way in my mind to try and build that kinesthetic awareness for your child as an individual”

“Kids need to engage in multiple sports rather than trying to stack a week with different types of training sessions”

“You want kids to engage in resistance training as early as possible to move better and hold their own bodyweight”

“We have ideas as coaches as to what is best for the individual kid but the number one thing we normally don’t do well is communicating those ideas to parents and the kids”

SHOWNOTES

1) Nathan’s journey in strength and conditioning

2) The stimulus for writing a book about youth athletic development and the process Nathan went through

3) The common themes that arise in youth athletics development when dealing with parents

4) The value of swimming, gymnastics and martial arts for youth athletic development

5) How to give advice to parents regarding which types of training kids should be doing outside their chosen sport

6) Peak height velocity (PHV) and advice for coaches working with youth in the stages around PHV

7) Sport specialization and the benefits of engaging of other sports

8) Resistance training for youth and the role of parents in promoting this

9) The pros and cons of structured versus unstructured exercise and play

10) Working with parents and youth and the value of remembering the context of what environment you are working in

11) Developing accountability in youth through training and sport

PEOPLE MENTIONED

Lachlan Wilmot

David Joyce

Brett Bartholomew

Ron McKeefery

Kelvin Giles