The Athlete Sitdown

On this episode, listen to the ever determined Shelayna OSKAN-Clarke who is a professional middle distance athlete. Shelayna is a multiple 800m British indoor and outdoor champion and has represented Great Britain on numerous occasions at the European, World and Commonwealth championships and the 2016 Olympic Games. She is also 2x European medallist (Gold and Silver) and World Bronze Medallist. Outside sport, Shelayna has a BSc in Sports & Exercise Science and is a personal trainer. 

Social Links:

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Show Notes: 

1: 36 My School teacher got me first involved into athletics

3:03 What made me choose middle distance running 

4:30 Looking back at Rio 2016 with a smile on my face

5:50 An injury setback led me to miss 2020 Olympics

7:50 Looking forward to the World Championships in Oregon in 2022 

8:45 What were the difficulties in staying motivated during the pandemic

10:20 Moved personal training business online which clients enjoyed

13:20 Having Sponsorships, allows me to give my full focus to my training, physically and emotionally 

16:30 The Sport Endorse Platform is very visual and you can see what is available currently and then decide to work with brands that you like

18:30 Bridging equality gap is all about visibility

19:30 Long term aspirations beyond sport – mentoring, supporting people from disadvantage background

22:00 How I want to be remembered as an athlete

23:30 Favorite career moments

25:00 Advice for young athletes

Buckle up for a thrilling episode featuring the commercial & communications manager of a professional motor-sports racing team. Listen to Declan Bourke chat with Si McNally on Power Maxed Racing (PMR), a team part of the lucrative British Touring Car Championship. You will find out what makes BTCC the third biggest motor sport in the world in audience numbers and the value Team PMR can deliver for its strategic partners and sponsors.
 
 Social Links:

@Si McNally

@Power Maxed Racing

@Declan Bourke

@Sport Endorse
 
Show Notes :

1:30 Si’s Early Career in motorsports

2:30 Family of petrol heads

3:20 Si’s Role with PMR

4:00 Winning races and being part of the team is what keeps Team PMR motivated

5:30 Why racing car drivers are also athletes 

7:30 PMR’s environmental protection efforts

9:45 BTCC as a sport is spectator friendly and relatable

11:30 What is British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)?

13:00 Types of sponsors you will find in BTCC

15:30 BTCC media coverage: Live broadcasting on free-to-air (iTV), In 2019, Around 20 million individuals watched the sport in UK and around 76 million listened to it live on the radio

17:00 About Team PMR - Power Maxed Racing

19:00 People part of the Team PMR 

21:00 Jason Plato – one of the most successful British car racers ever

22:00 10 race weekends a season

23:10 International audience coverage

26:30 PMR Engagement program examples

29:15 PMR Partners case study

32:00 Fan engagement examples 

34:30 Amazon Prime is filming a documentary on Team PMR 

38:30 Cost of running a BTCC team

44:00 Brands want a tangible benefit from sponsorship

46:00 Si’s Top 3 moments with Team PMR

48:30 Rapid Fire: Si’s impression on the individuals at Team PMR 

On this episode, we have Eamon Donoghue, Irish Times Journalist sit-down with the supremely talented Orla O'Dwyer, Irish female multi-sport athlete from Tipperary.  Come along for the ride and learn out about the mentality and inspirations needed to compete and win at elite sport, at an international level.

Social Links:
Orla Instagram
Eamon Instagram
Sport Endorse Instagram

On this episode, we chat with Stephen Budde of SB Sports on how he launched and scaled his business during the pandemic and on developing strategic partnerships with sporting associations and athletes. He also shares his market research on the impact of elite athletes as social media influencers. 

Social Links:

SB Sports Instagram

SB Sports Twitter

Manav Bhatia Twitter

Show Notes:

3:30 Starting a business during Covid

6:30 Growth through partnerships 

9:30 Focusing on gap in markets like Ladies GAA

10:30 Aspirations to have SB Range fully sustainable in 5 years’ time

13:00 Brand positioning and values

17:00 Relationship with SB Sports ambassadors 

19:00 Social media as a driver of advertising

26:00 Exclusive Partnership with Basketball Ireland for Kit

30:00 Technology make it easier to find athlete ambassadors

33:30 Aspirational ambassadors for SB Sports products

36:00 Deal with academy of sport & education in London

39:15 Market value of famous social media athlete influencers 

41:00 Calculating ROI for Instagram sponsored content

46:45 Sports as a conversation starter for business relations

50:00 Evergreen commercial opportunities for athletes 

Born in New Zealand, James is one of Irelands top sporting talents. Initially making a name for himself as a scoring winger for Leinster and then going on to make his international debut for Ireland vs Wales in 2020. You are sure to enjoy this chat.

Instagram Links: 

James Lowe

Conor Nolan

Sport Endorse

Episode Transcript:

1:45 As a child played every sport under the sun, but it always came back to Rugby

4:50 Pathway for kids to play Rugby in New Zealand

5:30 Turned down a 2-year contract to play in the league at 18 as didn’t want to leave home

8:30 Starting winger for the ‘Chiefs’ (NZ Professional rugby union team) for 3 years

12:40 Leo Cullen (Irish Rugby coach and Professional Rugby player) brought me to Leinster Rugby in Ireland

16:52 Representing affiliate clubs in Dublin with passion 

19:25 Phone call to join camp before International debut for Ireland

25:00 Dealing with scrutiny after losing is part of job description

27:00 Looking forward to another opportunity to represent Ireland and perform consistently 

31:00 Sponsorship is the thing keeping us above water

34:20 Sports people can offer so much value to environments, workplaces, businesses

38:30 Advise to athletes looking for sponsorship: Be a nice person and engage with people on a personal level

42:00 People think athletes get product for free but we benefit the brand we work with   

44:00 Supporter of Tackle your feelings campaign around mental health, go check out their app on Instagram

51:00 At a stage where I’m figuring out my post rugby plans with my mentor

57:00 Advise to aspiring professional athletes: Be ready for a roller coaster career

58:00 Light hearted Q&A on Leinster & Irish teammates

On this episode, we speak with Maria O'Donnell, Sales & Marketing Manager at Nuasan, about her company's growth aspirations, her experience on the Sport Endorse platform and her views on the value offered by elite athletes for brand’s marketing objectives. 

Social links -

IG: nuasan__

IG: sport_endorse

Web : Sport Endorse Platform

Show notes:

2:06 Nuasan – Natural, Sustainable and functional products for active people and those involved in sport

6:45 How Nuasan found Sport Endorse

8:15 Involvement with professional sports people as part of marketing strategy

12:35 Athletes deal with brands that tie well with their sporting side

14:50 The aspirational element of a sports fan to use the product a sports person uses herself

15:50 Finding genuine brand ambassador that love their products beyond social media promotions

17:22 Surprised with ability to access many professional athlete on the platform

18:20 Personalised support and fair treatment on the platform

19:25 Finding the right match and building connection with athletes on the platform

21:30 Expectation setting and planning comms. with the booked athletes

23:45 Working with international athlete tie in with brands global aspirations

25:15 Expansion and growth for Nuasan across European & UK markets

27:32 Nominated in the V Awards 2021 (Fave Beauty Category)

29:30 “No matter what size your business is, there is a potential opportunity for collaboration with an elite athlete”

Check out this episode with John Porch, Connacht and Australian Rugby Union Player. Conor Nolan sits down with John to chat about all things rugby, his incredible return from injury to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics, positive experience of the Sport Endorse Platform and his aspirations for future. Enjoy!

Show Notes :

1:35 Grassroots - Where it all began
2:15 Rugby League VS Rugby Union
3:20 Serious Setback - Avoiding amputation and returning to play against the odds
5:55 The Comeback - Australia 7’s and selected to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics
7:30 The Olympic Opportunity
9:16 Family First - Jersey presentation at Sydney 7’s tournament
11:14 Learning about Connaught Rugby and catalyst for moving to Ireland
12:36 Kick First, Run Second - Northern Hemisphere style of play
14:33 Positives of the current climate and staying motivated by honing in on skills
15:40 How training has been affected?
17:40 Pre-match routine
18:50 Importance of sponsorship for athletes to succeed at an elite level
19:20 Difficulty for athletes to secure sponsorship or gain the attention of brands?
20:05 The Sport Endorse Platform
20:55 Working With Nuasan, Irish Biltong & Apex Nutrition
22:05 Everyone Should Join Sport Endorse!
22:30 Aspirations - Developing the next generation of indigenous Australian Wallabies
24:05 Transition - Rugbys not here forever
25:08 Legacy - Giving 110%, Loyalty, Honesty
25:40 A Trip Down Memory Lane - Favourite sporting moment
26:25 Advice For Aspiring Athletes - Have fun!
26:50 Quickfire Questions - Connaught Teammates

Discover what serial entrepreneur, Kevin Griffiths (Leguano & FoodForSport Ireland) has to say about building consumer brands & booking and working with elite athletes on the Sport Endorse Platform.

Instagram - @leguanoireland @foodforsport2021 @sport_endorse

Twitter - @followteamgb @manbhatia8

Show notes:

1:41 – Former station manager for Clare Morris community radio in Mayo

4:20 – Motivation to bring Leguano barefoot shoes to Ireland & UK markets

6:40 – A food range that is part of daily routine and is not separate from other nutrition required for training

8:00 – Venturing into influencer promotion to expand market for products

9:20 – Empowering athletes to supplement their training and get traction on sponsorship

11:35 – Daughter is an all-Ireland medal winner in 60m and Long jump

13:50 – Attraction to the Sport Endorse Platform

15:05 – Elite athletes offer understanding and passion towards products

17:50 – Olympic athletes should not have to worry about financial burden that comes with competing

20:55 – Sponsorship experience on the platform

22:20 – Working experience with elite athletes booked on the platform

24:40 – Transparent flow to select athletes

26:00 – Awareness marketing is key to building long term position for brand

Social Links :

@dougryd

@Team Qhubeka Assos

@DeclanBourkeIRE

@SportEndorse

Show notes :

1:35 - Born in Capetown, South Africa

1:50 - British team tour to SA got him interested in cycling

3:00 - Captained SA cycling team at 96' Olympics

4:10 - Why he set up a professional cycling team

5:20 - Link with Qhubeka charity

7:50 - What sets cycling apart from other sports

10.20 - Growth of cycling in the African continent

12 :15 - Values and purpose of Team Qhubeka Assos

14:25 - Influence of purpose on the drivers and team

16:25 - Pathway for riders from the continental team to step up into 1st division world tour team

19:00 - Diversity and size of the team

20:30 - Individual meal customization for the riders

24:08 - Makeup of the team’s fanbase

25:20 - Not having a win at all cost culture

26:00 - Opportunity for sponsors/ partners to engage with team

27:30 - Impact days for sponsors and for companies

28:30 - Example of sponsor activation of high standard 

30: 30 - Team where drivers from different nationalities are connected by English

32:00 - Cost to keep a cycling team running 

33:00 - Budget to win a Grand Tour

36: 00 - What is being done for Cycling in Africa

37:00 - Things we focused on for our partners during pandemic in 2020

39:00 - Trends in sponsorship, what sponsors look for? 

42: 00 Rapid fire round -

Tune in to this entertaining chat with Ireland women's rugby union international, Hannah Tyrrell. Episode hosted by Conor Nolan, Athlete & Partnership Manager at Sport Endorse.

Social Links 

@hannahtyrrell21

@mrconornolan

@sport_endorse

Show Notes

2:51 mins – Got into Rugby after playing Gaelic football for 10 years

1:52 – First call to represent Ireland

6:40 – Transitioning from Rugby Sevens to Rugby Union

7:25 – Moving into the no. 10 role for the current team

10:00 – Motivation against odds to qualify for world cup 2020 

11:10 – Typical pre-match routine

13:08 - Pre-match playlist 

14:00 – Bridging the gender equality gap 

16:40 – Taking on professional teams 

17:40 – Need for extra support from companies for women’s sport

18:30 – Sport Sponsorship makes a massive difference to athletes

19:00 – Majority of women players on team have to buy their own kits

20:45 – Favorite brands I use daily 

21:25 – Mental health ambassador and playing a part

24:05 – Future beyond sport

28:00 – Sacrifices players make when playing for country

 31:00 – Legacy 

 32 :10 – Favorite sporting moment 

 33:40 – Advice for aspiring athletes

 34:40 – Quick fire questions on the Irish Women's Rugby Team

·best dancer
·worst fashion sense
·best fashion sense
·dress room DJ
·most likely to sleep through alarm
·most likely to not answer the phone
·who is the fastest
·team joker
·late for training
·who thinks they are the most intelligent