Professional Football club youth academies are seen as the ultimate goal for any young footballer, but are they really all they are cracked up to be? Are they really the best place to be if you want to become a professional player? How many academy players actually get a professional contract? And can you make it without being there? 

These are the questions the we pose to Premier League academies expert and researcher, Dr James Dugdale, and the answers are fascinating! 

James is a Lecturer in Sport Science and Coaching at Edinburgh Napier University and an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association. James’ research focuses on talent identification and development of youth athletes with a particular interest in youth football players. He has published a number of scientific research articles and book chapters on topics such as selection and deselection in youth sport, the influence of figures such as parents and coaches on youth development environments, and physical growth and performance in young, developing athletes. James has over a decade of experience working in both an applied and research capacity with sports teams and organisations, including several professional football academies. From a personal perspective, James was a competitive football player throughout his teenage years, most notably qualifying for the latter stages of a talent identification competition called ‘Football Icon’ and went on to trial at Chelsea FC.

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Sponsored by Polaris Publishing https://www.polarispublishing.com/

We are (finally) back with another episode of Don’t Mention the T Word. We have some new ammo for our inspiration and desperation features as well as the usual questionable banter!

In this episode, we discuss the importance of the role of the parents for any sporting child.

As a parent:

- How can you ensure you are maximising your child’s potential?

- how to avoid helicopter parenting?

- How do you make sure you ask the right questions before, during and after practice or matches?

- How do you avoid all the traps that are so easy to fall into when supporting your child?

Listen in to find out…


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Twitter: @dontmentiontheT
Website: www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk
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Sponsored by Polaris Publishing https://www.polarispublishing.com/

This week, we go full circle and welcome back Jimmy Moran to the show.

As a pe teacher and sports coach Jimmy has a wealth of knowledge that we drew on the last time he was on the show. This time, however, we discuss his main passion: Endurance running. 

Jimmy runs his own coaching business called ‘Sports Endurance Performance’. As an avid runner himself, he became interested at looking into how best to improve himself and has developed his knowledge of endurance running and the best ways to train over a number of years. 

For anyone interested in improving their 5k to marathon times, this episode is for you. 

We discuss the following:

1.  Strava dishonesty 
2. Is tuning on cement really bad for you?
3. What are the natural predispositions that someone needs to be an elite runner?
4. What are the overarching benefits of running whether you have those natural predispositions or not?
5. How to train smarter to improve quicker. 

Look out for this weeks competition, worth a whopping £200! 

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Instagram: @dontmentionthetword
Twitter: @dontmentiontheT
Website: www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk
Email: [email protected]

Sponsored by Polaris Publishing https://www.polarispublishing.com/

In our 20th episode we are joined by Dr Mark Slaven-Ross.

Dr Slaven-Ross gained his PhD from Edinburgh Napier University in 2016 and is a lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the same University. His research specifically investigates the effects of exercise, physical inactivity, ageing and disease on cardiovascular physiology, with a focus on how the immune system and stem cells stimulate repair of our blood vessels. 

However, we asked Mark to come on the show and correct some of the myths that frustrate him the most from the Sport Science world. We get his, evidence based opinion, on the following topics:

1. How does exercise affect the immune system.
2. Can you really ‘sweat out ‘ a cold?
3. Is lactic acid really as bad for you as the commentators make out?
4. What’s the truth about Fat Burning Zones?

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Instagram: @dontmentionthetword
Twitter: @dontmentiontheT
Website: www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk
Email: [email protected]

Sponsored by Polaris Publishing https://www.polarispublishing.com/

Don’t Mention the T Word is back…

In our returning episode we are joined by Sean McKirdy and Cameron Begbie from Edinburgh’s new premium gym, Elevate 98. 

We discuss some of the myths that are subconsciously or deliberately perpetuated through the health and fitness industry. We examine; why these myths exist, what are the truths and what can people do to filter out the nonsense. 

We also continue to touch on all of the things that matter much more then ‘talent’. 

We hope you enjoy…

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Instagram: @dontmentionthetword
Twitter: @dontmentiontheT
Website: www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk
Email: [email protected]

In our final episode of season 2, we look at why some people may find it difficult to turn their back on ‘Talent’.

We discuss Confirmation Bias and Cognitive Dissonance; what they are and why they might be responsible for people not being open minded about how unimportant ‘talent’ is.

We start off by discussing Emma Raducanu’s magnificent triumph at Flushing Meadows and finish with our highlights of the season.

Massive thanks to our sponsor ‘Polaris Publishing’ for their support of Season 2. As a sports book publishing company based in Edinburgh, we couldn’t have hoped for a more suitable and supportive sponsor. Check out their full list here http://www.polarispublishing.com/. 

Listen to us on:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts

Like, Share, Follow us:
- Instagram: @Dontmentionthetword
- Twitter @dontmentiontheT

Contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]

Visit us at:
www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk

In the studio this week, we welcome Rick Orr.

Rick works for ‘Winning Scotland’,  a charity that builds confidence and resilience in young people all over the country.

‘Winning Scotland’ run a programme for teachers to help embed the principles of Growth Mindset into their teaching. Rick gives us a fascinating insight into how the perceptions of teachers and pupils can change as a result of the training.

We also discuss the importance of the struggle when learning and how short term failure can often mean long term success. Rick also identifies different types of mistakes, some we need to look out for and avoid, and some that are essential to the learning journey.

Massive thanks to our new sponsor ‘Polaris Publishing’ for their support of Season 2. As a sports book publishing company based in Edinburgh, we couldn’t have hoped for a more suitable and supportive sponsor. Check out their full list here http://www.polarispublishing.com/. 

Listen to us on:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts

Like, Share, Follow us:
- Instagram: @Dontmentionthetword
- Twitter @dontmentiontheT

Contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]

Visit us at:
www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk

Joining us in the studio this week is Heart of Midlothian and SFA development coach, Alan ‘Chalky’ White.

Chalky is responsible for the ‘Play the Game’ programme rolled out by Hearts and the SFA all over Scotland. He tells us what the course is about and why it could be useful for coaches, parents and young players up and down the country.

He also tells us about the research he conducted, which gave interesting insights into; the type of practice successful footballers engaged in when they were young, what children really want out of their training sessions and how coaches could seek to give them what they wanted.

Chalky is an extremely engaging and entertaining character and provided constant giggling throughout the episode. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed chatting!

Massive thanks to our new sponsor ‘Polaris Publishing’ for their support of Season 2. As a sports book publishing company based in Edinburgh, we couldn’t have hoped for a more suitable and supportive sponsor. Check out their full list here http://www.polarispublishing.com/. 

Listen to us on:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts

Like, Share, Follow us:
- Instagram: @Dontmentionthetword
- Twitter @dontmentiontheT

Contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]

Visit us at:
www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk

On the show this week, we welcome BBC and Sky Sports television presenter, Eilidh Barbour. 

Eilidh covers football on a weekly basis for BBC on programmes such as Final Score, Football Focus and the Woman’s Football Show. She also presents Sky Sports coverage of SPL Football and International games including Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Eilidh  became BBC’s main presenter for their golf coverage in 2017, giving her the opportunity to cover all the major events including the Masters at Augusta!

Eilidh also covered other major sporting events such as:

-        Woman’s Football World Cup

-        Winter Olympics

-        Euro 2020 (including watching scotland dominate England in their own back yard)


We ask Eilidh what it took to get to her position and how much hard work goes on behind the scenes preparing for shows that make it look as ‘effortless’ and ‘natural’ as it does.

We discuss woman’s sport and how it’s growing exposure will continue to give more young woman the belief and mindset to pursue the interests in sport.

Massive thanks to our new sponsor ‘Polaris Publishing’ for their support of Season 2. As a sports book publishing company based in Edinburgh, we couldn’t have hoped for a more suitable and supportive sponsor. Check out their full list here http://www.polarispublishing.com/. 

Listen to us on:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts

Like, Share, Follow us:
- Instagram: @Dontmentionthetword
- Twitter @dontmentiontheT

Contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]

Visit us at:
www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk

Nat Coe is a PE teacher who now works as the head of support for learning in his school in Aberdeenshire.

Nat got in touch with the podcast after listening to the first season and pitched his unique experience and how he thought it related to the nature/nurture balance which comprises the human experience.

One of Nat’s 4 siblings has autism. This gave Nat the passion and motivation to develop his knowledge and understanding of autism in education and pursue it in his professional career.

In this episode we discuss whether autism is genetic or environment, 3 of the different theories around autism and the behavioural traits that are associated with them and how these traits can or could be beneficial in the world of sports in relation to hour of focussed practice as opposed to thinking about them as disadvantages or barriers to learning.

Massive thanks to our new sponsor ‘Polaris Publishing’ for their support of Season 2. As a sports book publishing company based in Edinburgh, we couldn’t have hoped for a more suitable and supportive sponsor. Check out their full list here http://www.polarispublishing.com/. 

Listen to us on:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts

Like, Share, Follow us:
- Instagram: @Dontmentionthetword
- Twitter @dontmentiontheT
- Website: 

Contact us on:
- Email: [email protected]

Visit us at:
www.dontmentionthetword.co.uk