In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Liam Gilbert, a coach who’s spent over a decade developing high-performing teams in the women’s game.

Liam’s coached at every level - from grassroots to the Women’s Championship - with roles at Eastleigh, Oxford United, Reading, and Burnley as well as leading football at Oxford High School.

Across every environment, he’s built a reputation for creating strong team cultures, shared identity, and clear, purposeful coaching.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What Liam learned from coaching and managing in senior women’s football.

👉 Connect with us:

• Tom Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast, share it with a coach who might find it useful, and let me know what resonated most with you.

I’m joined by Tom Coyd MBE, Head Coach of the England Wheelchair Rugby League team and Head of Pathways for Wheelchair Rugby League at the RFL.

At just 27 years old, Tom led England to victory in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (played in 2022) and in my opinion is one of the most thoughtful and grounded coaches in high-performance sport.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why every coach needs to ask, “Who’s coaching the coach?”

In the conversation, Tom mentions the documentary "Made of Steel". You can watch it here on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001r9zl/storyville-made-of-steel-wheelchair-rugbys-fiercest-rivalry

I loved this open and thought-provoking chat about leadership, learning, and what it means to coach at the top level.

👉 Connect with us:

• Tom Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

• Tom Coyd MBE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomcoyd/

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast, share it with a coach who might find it useful, and let me know what resonated most with you.

Episode 3: Coaching with Honesty, with Fran Whalley

In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Fran Whalley. A brilliant fencing coach who brings energy, honesty, and heart to everything she does.

Fran’s coached athletes from their first steps in the sport right through to representing Great Britain and Wales at World, European, and Commonwealth Championships. She’s the Head Coach at Cardiff Academy of Fencing, a Coach Developer with British Fencing, and a regular coach on the Performance Pathway supporting both athletes and coaches to thrive.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why honesty and trust are the foundations of great coaching relationships.

It’s an open, insightful chat that reminds us what matters most in coaching: connection, trust, and showing up as your genuine self.

👉 Connect with us:

• Tom Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

In this very special minisode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by my five-year-old son, Charlie - an expert in play, honest feedback, and finding a bit of magic in everything.

Charlie’s just taking his first steps into organised sport, trying his hand at football, karate, gymnastics, CrossFit, swimming (which regrettably we didn’t talk about) and cricket. Together, we take ten minutes to see the world through the eyes of a child, a reminder that when we’re coaching children, we have to be willing to step into their world.

In this episode, Charlie shares:

• What makes a great session (“It’s not really a session… it’s a play session!”)

It is a warm ten minutes of smiling, honesty, and pure perspective - and a lovely reminder of why we coach in the first place.

👉 Connect with me:

• Tom Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

The serious business of play — with Richard Cheetham MBE

In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by someone who’s been a huge influence on me and countless others in the coaching world – Richard Cheetham MBE.

Richard is a Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester and an award-winning coach educator with over 20 years’ experience developing coaches across a huge range of sports — from rugby and road cycling to fencing, canoeing, and wheelchair rugby.

He’s worked internationally with the UCI (the world governing body for cycling), supported coaches at world tour level, and continues to champion the role of play, joy, and human connection in every coaching environment.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why the best coaches think about who they coach before what they coach.

• How to create environments that are joyful, safe, and full of learning.

• The power of play, free exploration, and letting go of rigid structure.

• How noticing, empathy, and agility can transform coaching practice.

It’s an inspiring and thought-provoking chat that reminds us all what really matters in coaching: people first, performance second.

Connect with us:

• Tom Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

• Richard Cheetham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-cheetham-mbe-17051827/

If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast, share it with a coach who might find it useful, and let me know what resonated most with you.

Episode 1: Coaching's Quiet Superpower

Welcome to the very first episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast: where we share short, practical coaching conversations designed to spark ideas you can apply, adapt, or reflect on in your own coaching.

In this debut episode, I’m joined by Martin Dighton, a coach who’s spent the last 20 years helping players and coaches thrive.

Martin’s coaching journey started in a professional football club and later took him to 14 years at The FA in coaching and coach development roles. These days, he works at UK Coaching, supporting coaches in the performance pathway across a wide range of sports.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why helping young players feel they belong is at the heart of good coaching.

It’s an honest, down-to-earth chat with plenty of ideas you can take straight into your own sessions.

Connect with us:

• Tom Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

• Martin Dighton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-dighton-62434666/

If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast, share it with a coach who might find it useful, and let me know what resonated most with you.

Welcome to the Game Plan Coaching Podcast. Led by me, Tom Hartley - an experienced Coach & Coach Developer - in each episode we will:

• Learn a little more about our guest, their background, and what has influenced the way they coach

Episodes released weekly from October 2025.