Play Train Grow

Gordon has built a platform around his organisation WWPIS Working with Sports Parents. Gordon is a Teacher, coach, author and in this episode he shares his thoughts and knowledge on a variety of subjects. The aim here is to help provide some support for sporting parents and organisations as we discuss topics such as the car journey home, competition for places, role modelling and what you learn from the pitch that can help build character and life skills.

Kyle talks about his journey through academy football and 1st team training at just 15. Creating coping strategies that help move on from mistakes. How to deal with and recover from growing pains/injury while playing down an age group to regain fitness. Being his own harshest critic. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and learn from your experiences, Great advice from Kyle. 

Join us as we discuss a variety of subjects and areas from comfort zones, adversity, resilience, creating pressure and dealing with it as an athlete. Robert gives his thoughts and advice on culture and the transition from youth to a 1st team adult environment. Robert has worked across a variety of elite sporting environments. He has also conducted research on the transition from youth to 1st team environments in football. 

Be you and play your game. Write down what you want to improve on, see it and then go early to training and try and improve. Dealing with injury and getting angry with yourself. Martin is honest and shares some advice for those chasing the football dream. 

Lets talk comfort zones, psychological safety, autopilot, focused learning blame and accountabilty. Reflection, openness, awareness and personal values are key skills to building an athlete. We also look to increase the discussions around disability sport and the many benefits sport can provide. 

Jamie's knowledge and passion flows as he explains how to deal with change. We talk mindset, emotions, culture and so much more. Jamie explores how to approach your life from a positive growth perspective. 

Life as a keeper is completely different to the outfield players. Always be involved in the game no matter where the ball is. Be vocal. Focus on mastering the simple things and trust the work you do in training. . 

James shares his story from academy to full time football.

i need to impress, i wont get picked if i don't perform are just a couple of key goals James sets himself. 

We discuss the joy of playing for my team as James outs it when he makes his First Team Debut, he also talks about making mistakes in the 1st team and the demand put on you despite being young.

James really opens up on playing a role on the pitch that largely goes unnoticed but is vital to success. 

i knew James was leader and a captain before he did and this chat shows why

From falling in love with football to losing the fun in it. An open and honest journey through Ryans Academy journey. 

Ryan opens up on how uncertain you can feel moving through the academy set up. Whats it really like when you cant form a bond with the people in charge of your improvement as a player. 

emotions are powerful, how you feel links to your performance and the emotional rollercoaster Ryan went on shines through in this episode. 

some times the enviroment you get sucked into stops you from doing what you want to do which is stop and move on to the next thinking. 

The takeaway form this episode is that if you want to coach you have to look at things from multiple perspectives and adopt a different approach for each person. 

Bravery and honesty from Struan as he opens up on chasing the contract, trying to manage the emotions and dealing with identity.

the hardest worker wont always get rewarded or be successful is a eye opening statement and this Brutal honesty from Struan in this epsiode shows what chasing a dream looks like. 

Having the maturity and an ability to reflect on incredibly emotional topics will give listener a clear view of what life is like in the academy set up.