British trampolinist Laura Gallagher has transformed into a completely different person.

In her first appearance on SportSpiel the 2017 British Champion bravely opened up about the mental health struggles she faced that subsequently led to her break from the sport. 

In particular there was a nagging sense that she hadn't fulfilled her potential and that she felt like a failure.

But fast forward to now and Laura is in a completely different place and has closed a door.

Speaking with Will Moulton she talks about the response from friends and family following her mental health admission and her efforts to close the door on that part of her life. 

She also talks her new main aim - qualifying for her first Olympic Games in Tokyo next year.

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Image credit: With thanks to Mike Driscoll and Laura Gallagher

Music: Otis McDonald

Alasdair Hooper and Will Moulton are joined by Goalball UK star Sarah Leiter on episode 40 of SportSpiel. 

Feature Interview

On our feature interview section (2:42) Alasdair speaks to Sarah who is not only a talented athlete, but also a junior doctor after graduating from the University of Cambridge. 

In her chat on the podcast Sarah explains about life growing up with albinism, and having only 10 per cent of her vision, but also how it has come to define her. 

Despite the challenges - particularly trying to play sport in school PE - Sarah is now one of the most inspiring athletes around after trying out goalball following London 2012.

With Tokyo 2020 approaching, Sarah takes us through the British goalball team's attempts to qualify for the Paralympics after narrowly missing out in 2016 and there's also conversation on the importance of making women's sport as visible as possible. 

Part Two

Alasdair and Will present the news round-up (30:35) as they go through some of the important headlines that caught their eyes, including the Nike's policy change over pregnant athletes and the first concussion substitute in cricket.

In our discussion topic this week (47:56) we look at the England Rugby World Cup squad as Eddie Jones picks a squad with some notable omissions.

Lastly we hold the latest round of Ask Alasdair (1:01:43) where Will asks Alasdair, and then the listeners, a sports trivia question.

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Credits

Image credit: Photo 1 - Goalball UK, Image 2 - IBSA Goalball and Julie Laramie Photography

Music: Otis McDonald

Alasdair Hooper and Will Moulton are joined by Rugby League official and Leeds Rhinos' star Caitlin Beevers on episode 39 of SportSpiel.

Feature Interview

On our feature interview section (4:29) Will speaks to Caitlin who has already achieved so much at the age of 17.

As part of Leeds Rhinos she already has two consecutive Challenge Cup victories - in 2018 and 2019 - and she has also been selected as part of the England squad for the Downer World Cup Nines in Sydney and the historic trip to Papua New Guinea.

But Caitlin is no stranger to history having become the first female to ever referee a Rugby League game at Wembley Stadium last year. 

This is a game-changing athlete paving the way for other girls in her sport. 

Part Two

Alasdair and Will present the news round-up (34:20) as they go through some of the important headlines that caught their eyes, including the latest in the Caster Semenya case, the conclusion of the Women's Ashes and the possibility of a female British and Irish Lions team. 

In our discussion topic this week (51:00) we look at gambling advertising after the introduction of a voluntary ban during pre-watershed live sporting action was introduced.

We debate the effects it will have and ask if we're treating gambling addiction as seriously as we should be.

Lastly we hold the latest round of Ask Alasdair (1:05:47) where Will asks Alasdair, and then the listeners, a sports trivia question.

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Image credit: With thanks to Caitlin Beevers

Music: Otis McDonald

Will Moulton hosts a Netball World Cup special of the podcast with Australia's Jo Weston and Liz Watson plus New Zealand's Shannon Saunders.

The 2019 Netball World Cup gets underway in Liverpool on Friday, July 12 with anticipation building at home and abroad.

While the home nations will be hoping to enjoy their own success, two nations vying for glory will be Australia and New Zealand. 

On this special episode of SportSpiel, Will gets an insight from both camps as he speaks with Jo Weston (1:23) and Liz Watson (18:04) from the Aussie Diamonds.

Finally he speaks with Silver Ferns' Shannon Saunders (35:33) as the countdown to the tournament draws ever closer.

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Music: Otis McDonald

Alasdair Hooper and Will Moulton host the fifth FIFA World Cup Special ahead of the start of the 2019 tournament in France.

This year's competition looks likely to get more coverage than ever before, thrusting women's football into the spotlight.

And it really is about time.

In part one of this episode (1:42) Alasdair and Will talk about the development in social media towards women's football and what else still needs to change.

In part two (16:53) the two talk about how France 2019 must be used to help develop grassroots and sport at the youth level, particularly for girls with just eight per cent aged 11 to 18 meeting the chief medical officer's guidelines for daily activity.

It's a worrying figure that sorely needs to change. Can France 2019 do that?

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Music: Otis McDonald

Alasdair Hooper and Will Moulton are joined by Sportsbeat and Love Sport Radio's Ella Jerman to look ahead to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

In our fourth special episode ahead of France 2019, the podcast turns to analysis before the competition gets underway on Friday, June 7.

In part one (3:19) we look at England and how their preparations have gone ahead of their first game against Scotland.

We discuss how they might line-up and we also take a look at Shelley Kerr's Scotland team, who could well be underdogs in France.

In part two (29:44) we turn our attention to the World Cup as a whole and give our tournament predictions, including who we think will be a breakout star, who will be top scorer and who will ultimately win.

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Music: Otis McDonald

Will Moulton hosts the third FIFA Women’s World Cup special with Reading's Players' Player of the Season, and returning guest, Remi Allen.

The countdown is well and truly on for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France and the excitement is building. 

As Remi is someone who has played against, and played with, some of the Lionesses squad members she takes us through the team position by position and player by player. 

With her expert analysis we get a true appreciation of the versatility this England team has at its disposal.

There is a lot to be excited about if you are a Lionesses fan.

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Image credit: With thanks to Remi Allen

Music: Otis McDonald

Alasdair Hooper hosts the second FIFA Women’s World Cup special with former England international defender Laura Bassett.

As the 2019 World Cup approaches Laura is one player who knows exactly what it takes to perform.

The defender - who announced her retirement from the game today- was one of the key components of the team that finished third in Canada four years ago.

But she also knows all about the lows of tournament football as the Lionesses were knocked out in the semi-final against Japan in 2015 following her last minute own goal.

In her interview on the podcast we look ahead to the tournament and speak about what it takes to manage yourself in a major competition.

There is also time to speak about her new life in Orlando, becoming a mum for the first time and she gives us her predictions for France 2019.

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Image credit: With thanks to Laura Bassett

Music: Otis McDonald

Alasdair Hooper hosts the first FIFA Women's World Cup special with England international and Wolfsburg goalkeeper Mary Earps.

With the 2019 World Cup proving to be such a vital competition the Lionesses stopper is understandably delighted to be part of it.

As part of the squad jetting out to France, the 26-year-old gives us an insight into preparations and the atmosphere within the camp.

Mary also tells us about how easy it is to get lost in the bubble of social media, how the work of manager Phil Neville has developed the players and we also explore the wider issues of promoting the women's game.

On top of that there is also time to discuss how far Mary's game has come on since her move to Germany and we also chat about whether the female game should consider smaller goals.

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Image credit: Lynne Cameron for the FA

Music: Otis McDonald

Will Moulton hosts a Netball World Cup special of the podcast with Northern Ireland international Niamh Cooper, England star Jade Clarke and Scotland's Emily Nicholl.

With 50 days to go ahead of the start of 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool (12-21 July) the excitement is starting to grow.

The sport has a renewed focus on it like never before thanks in part to England's efforts in securing Commonwealth Gold in 2018. 

With the game changing tournament looming Will speaks with Niamh (1:33), Jade (21:31) and Emily (35:40) to get a sense of perspective from their specific camps. 

They also chat about the the impact the tournament could have as well as the changing nature of netball itself.

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Credits
Music: Otis McDonald