I sat down with James Godfrey, an influential figure who transitioned from representing schools and rugby teams in Australia to revolutionising the business of sport and financial services. Delving deep into his career highlights, the conversation covers his leadership philosophy, the importance of values, and innovative strategies for enhancing school sports programs. James shares insights on building effective teams, maximising resources, and leveraging sports for character-building and career development. This episode offers invaluable lessons for anyone involved in school sports or leadership roles.

We explore the real success behind school athletic development programs. Through a personal story emphasising the powerful impact of inclusive gym access, we discuss effective timetabling, distinguishing between student-athletes and regular students, and the critical role of well-being and pastoral care. Discover how to create a supportive and inclusive environment that benefits all students, not just athletes. 

Tune in for insights on fostering positive schooling experiences and encouraging lifelong fitness habits.

In this episode, we focus on helping parents set their children up for success in sports. We discuss the critical concept of general preparation, why it's essential, and how it has been lost recently. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls in youth sports, understand the importance of varied physical activity, and why early specialisation may not be beneficial. This episode is a must-listen for any sporting parent aiming to keep their child active, healthy, and on the path to long-term success.

Sign up for my Youth Programming Fundamentals Workshop

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-programming-fundamentals-workshop-registration-910192007797?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Order my book:

The Sporting Parent

Check out our platinum sponsor- PLAE

Instagram

Website

This episode is oriented to coaches in the athletic development space. We’ll address why 'fun' is often overrated in youth sports development. We explore the complex layers of fun and the critical need for structured training time. Key points include the importance of training, the various forms and implementation of fun, and how these evolve through different stages of athlete maturation. Stay tuned as we break down these essential topics to enhance your coaching strategies.

Takeaways from this episode:

- Emphasize balancing fun with structured athletic development to ensure young athletes build their skills.

- Use fun elements like games, environment setup, team challenges, and music to keep sessions engaging without losing development time.

- Apply different fun strategies across various age groups, such as games for pre-teens, music for mid-teens, and team competitions for late-teens.

- Ensure fun activities enhance training without overshadowing essential - development, helping athletes train to their full potential while enjoying the process.

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Order my book:

The Sporting Parent

Check out our platinum sponsor- PLAE

Instagram

Website

Welcome back to the third season of The Get Down podcast, where today I’ll share expert advice for parents struggling with their children’s busy sports schedules. I’ll outline five essential tips: ensuring one full day off per week, limiting sports to two per season, engaging with children early by participating in their activities, being selective with specialist coaching, and being cautious of back-to-back training days. These strategies aim to balance athletic commitments with the joys of childhood, preventing burnout and fostering long-term engagement and enjoyment in sports.