This week, you'll hear from John Serhan, one of Australia's most successful golf coaches who is currently head teaching professional at St Michael's Golf Club in Sydney's east, having previously won NSW PGA Coach of the Year. Now, he coaches juniors right through to touring professionals.

He knows all too well that people like Tiger Woods are the exception, not the rule. In June this year, a report by Forbes, estimated Tiger Woods' net worth to be at least $US 1 billion, including $121 million in prize money.

There's certainly dollar signs in the eyes of some parents, who'd love for their kids to follow in these footsteps by taking up the game of golf. So, what does it take to be a professional golfer? How important are role models like Australia's Minjee Lee, who recently won the US Women's Open?

And, why golf is a great sport for young athletes, in the final episode for this season.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

This week on SportsParenthood, our guest David King, speaks honestly and openly about his early success as an athlete, his natural talent, and in his words, "being washed up" by the time he was just 15 years old.

He talks about his world imploding. Then, coming back to sport where he was on the cusp of a professional career in rugby league, before deciding to walk away. You'll hear how he reflects on that moment now.

For David, a mental skills coach, director of administration at a school in Sydney, teacher, endurance athlete and charity director, his early experiences have led him to appreciate the importance of character strengths over skill. He's developed a new program called WISPA, which he'll be launching in the USA this month.

To give you a taste of David's work, John and I did a short survey prior to the interview, and he unpacks our answers on the show. You'll find them interesting - and spot on! Plus, listen in for David's story about an extraordinary situation he found himself in at an ultra endurance event. It's unbelievable!

MORE INFORMATION: WISPA Wellbeing | Have Bear Will Run

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

What's a sports parent to do when your child stops playing?

How are we supposed to feel about it? What are we supposed to do? What role should we play? These are just some of the questions we've been asking ourselves in the last month or so since one of our kids made the really hard decision to stop competitive swimming.

While it's not for us to go into the details of her decision, which she'd made with careful consideration and lots of maturity - today, we're going to reflect on how it impacted on us, and how we've processed the situation that has been a huge part of our lives, too.

Interestingly, we're processing it differently, and this is something we'd like to share with you in this episode.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

This week on SportsParenthood, we go a bit rogue at the start of the episode, because we were still on a high after watching Top Gun: Maverick. please make a date with your local cinema and WATCH THIS MOVIE.

Speaking of legendary Top Gun quotes, "I feel the need, the need for speed" might be a good one to set the scene for today's conversation where you'll meet Australian cricketer Nicola Carey.

She currently plays in the Women's Big Bash League - or domestic T20 competition - for the Hobart Hurricanes, which is an exhilarating and fast-paced style of the game.

Earlier this month, Nicola was also named in the Australian Cricket squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, another exciting step in her career, since her international debut in 2018.

So, how did this talented athlete from Kingsgrove in Sydney end up playing cricket, and what influence have her parents had on her career?

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

Do your sports kids feel nervous, even anxious, before they play a game or line up to compete? What does this mean? Why does it happen? As sports parents, what can we do to help?

In this episode, we speak with Rory Darkins - a high-performance coach and positive psychology researcher who transitioned into the mental side of sport while playing high-level cricket.

He started asking important questions such as: Do athletes have to sacrifice their wellbeing to get to the top of their sport. Is there a better way? Well, the short answer is, yes.

Currently, Rory is the training partner of two-time Olympic distance runner Eloise Wellings, who we interviewed in episode 54 of the show, and they co-host the "What's Right Within' podcast.

Today, Rory talks us through nerves and shares with us one of the most powerful but underrated tools we have to regulate our nervous system. What is it? And what impact can it have on our kids, and us, too.

Plus, he's just launched a new app called In8.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

You probably won't believe this. The first women's Rugby League match in Australia was played in Sydney, on Saturday, 17 September 1921. In September 2018, almost 100 years later, the first season of the NRLW -Australia's national rugby league competition for female players - kicked off with four teams. Now, there are some big things in the wings, with players like our guest this week leading the game into the future.

On the show today, we speak with Yasmin Clydsdale (nee Meakes), who plays for the Sydney Roosters. Over the past two NRLW seasons, she's played in two grand finals, scored a try in one and won a premiership playing every minute of every game during the season along with making her State of Origin debut! You'll hear how she started playing rugby league, and why it's a great game for women and girls.

You'll be interested to know research shows Australians may be more familiar with men's sports teams, but when it comes to an emotional connection - values such as pride, trust, enjoyment, respect, and bond - our women's teams are on top! While it's been a long time coming, there are increasingly professional pathways for women. You'll love Yasmin's story.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

This week, be prepared to experience light bulb moment after light bulb moment.

That's how John and I felt while speaking with our guest, Gayelene Clews, renowned sports and performance psychologist, educator and author of the book, Wired to Play.

Gayelene is a former elite athlete herself - with a number one world triathlon ranking - and she was the youngest ever Australian open women's cross country champion at just 15 years of age. You'll also hear about her own 'aha' moment when she was competing in a half ironman triathlon in Hawaii.

This is one of those conversations that'll have you reaching for your notepad. There is so much insight.

We cover the role passion plays in kids' sport. We discuss how we can encourage our kids to have a meta cognitive approach (what does this mean?), manage emotional energy, and the importance of caring less.

Plus, why Gayelene tells her athletes to throw their smart watches away.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

Something tells us you've got strong feelings about community coaches. Your kids have probably had great community coaches, and perhaps they've experienced not-so-great ones, too. You may even be a community coach yourself - and goodness knows, it's a tough gig.

This week on SportsParenthood, we speak with Richard McInnes, who is currently CEO of Water Polo Australia, and is a degree-qualified sports scientist and former multiple World Cup winning coach.

He talks to us about what Water Polo Australia is doing as an early adopter of the new community coaching reforms, what makes a great coach, and he says something that I want to highlight, underline, and circle as a key message for sports parents and coaches.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

In the first episode in our new season of the show, sports psychologist Rob Brown joins us to talk about a topic that is increasing in prominence: pets and sports performance.

It is a feel-good approach - and it really works.

It is well-documented animals can help us reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and ease loneliness. Animals have been used in settings like hospitals and airports for their calming qualities.

Less known is that athletes are using animals to up their mental game.

So, why are animals helpful for athletes?

We dig into the research and, we discuss the example of the 2016 Swimming US Olympic Trials, where organisers invited about 30 pet therapy dogs to the event in an effort to relieve the anxious swimmers.

It was considered a bit unorthodox at the time - not so much anymore.

You are going to love this conversation. It is heartwarming. It is insightful. It provides just the perspective we all need right now. Oh, and don't worry if you don't have a traditional pet like a dog or cat in your household.

Listen in for the many other ways and opportunities athletes, including your sports kids, can connect with animals, and reap the benefits.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]

SEASON FINALE: NEW SEASON STARTS THURSDAY, 28 APRIL 2022

If there's one thing sports parents are talking about right now - it's COVID. Who's got it, who's had it, who has to isolate? Wear a mask or not wear a mask? Plus, making the tough calls to stay COVID-free in an effort to get on the start line, like missing out on birthday parties or other social events.

It feels relentless, it feels exhausting, and it feels unfair.

Besides the obvious inconvenience of having to isolate with COVID, we wanted to talk about what happens next. Like you, we've heard stories of kids who have been able to jump back into sport easily, and others who have experienced lasting impacts. This is the peculiar thing about COVID.

This week, you'll hear from from Dr. Paul Bloomfield, who is a specialist sport and exercise physician on key considerations for kids coming back post-COVID. And, a little bit about our personal isolation experience.

Please note: This is intended as general advice only. Make an appointment with a medical professional, if you have specific concerns about your child.

HOSTS: John and Tiffany Bonasera

PRODUCER: Tiffany Bonasera

CONTACT US: [email protected]