The LGBT Sport Podcast

It’s no surprise that Ryan Russell was smiling when we recorded this conversation.

After all, it’s Super Bowl season – and with just days to go until the Los Angeles Rams face the Cincinatti Bengals inside the cavernous SoFi Stadium, it’s one of his favourite times of year.

The defensive end had spells with the Dallas Cowboys, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills, lining up against the likes of Tom Brady, Eli Manning and more.

And in August, 2019, he came out in an interview with ESPN as the first active NFL player to talk publicly about their bisexuality.

So, since football is in the air – and since Ryan is someone we’ve wanted to have on for ages! – it made perfect sense to sit down and have this chat now, and it’s a brilliant one.

We talk about how he was discovered in the sport; how it feels to be drafted; playing against all-time greats; his own personal journey; Carl Nassib; the Super Bowl; the book Russ is writing, and loads more.

This one was an absolute treat to do, and we think you’ll love it as much as we do!

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?

Kirsty Gilmour was barely out of school when she went to her first Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The Scottish badminton star first picked up a racquet at the age of four and has gone on to accomplish extraordinary things in the sport – including a silver medal at her home Commonwealth Games in the singles in 2014, and a bronze four years later on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Factor in two Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo respectively, and multiple medals at a European level as well – and you can see why Gilmour has been a fixture in the world rankings for such a long time.

So, we were delighted when the Scot agreed to sit down for a chat with us about her life, career and personal journey – and this episode turned out to be an absolute joy.

From getting her start in the sport to her Commonwealth Games experiences to opening up about her sexuality, this is just a lovely, lovely conversation that we think you’re going to love – and we’re so grateful Kirsty was able to take the time to join us for it.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SHOW?

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make it as the person behind the microphone, calling some of the biggest moments in sport?

As a commentator, you put the lyrics to the music created by some of the world's top sportspeople - and when you get it right, there's no feeling quite like it.

So today on the podcast, we’ve got a special compilation episode featuring some of the best commentators that we’ve had on the show since 2018, discussing their careers in the industry and sharing some top tips on how to be a success in it.

This is a whistle-stop tour round the commentary boxes of the UK and further afield, as we discuss the art with a whole range of brilliant guests.

On this show, you’ll hear from:

- Test Match Special’s Scott Read

It’s a fantastic look at what the reality of life as a commentator is like, from breaking into the industry to how to master the craft – and we think it’s a cracker.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SHOW?

Sam Lansdale has always had a passion for getting people into football.

A director and trustee with Sevenoaks Town, he’s volunteered as a referee, played as a teenager - and spent years coaching at a youth-level as well.

He really is dedicated to making the beautiful game a place where everyone feels welcome - but to do that, Sam had to first feel comfortable in himself, and be open with the footballing world about his sexuality too.

So, when he reached out to us about whether we’d fancy a chat with him about his experiences as a gay man in football, the only obvious answer was ‘yes’ – and this is a fascinating, powerful and raw conversation with a really interesting guy.

We talk about his journey, both on and off the pitch – and why being his authentic self was such a crucial part of his own footballing story in an episode we think you’ll love.

It’s genuine, authentic and a bit longer than we’d normally go - but we make no apologies for that, and when you hear this conversation, we think you'll understand why.

We’re really grateful to Sam for sharing his truth in such a powerful way – and we think you’ll love this conversation.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?

Tammy Parlour’s love of sport really came about when she moved to the United States.

The martial art of Hapkido offered her a way to feel like she belonged in a new country – and once she tried it, she was hooked.

She has forty years of experience in the discipline under her belt as a student, teacher and coach – and in 2012, in the wake of the London Olympics, she was inspired to co-found the Women’s Sport Trust.

The charity – which Tammy is the CEO of - works to raise the profile and impact of women’s sport and, over the past ten years, has helped to reshape the sporting landscape.

So, you can imagine how excited we were to get the chance to speak with Tammy, and this episode doesn’t disappoint.

We talk about discovering Hapkido and the difference it made in her life; the different skills that are needed when it comes to teaching the martial art; the impact London 2012 had on her life; the early days and growth of the Women’s Sport Trust; her own personal journey – and so, so much more.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?

@Tammy_Parlour

There aren’t many referees who end their career with a guard of honour.

But that’s exactly what was given to Matt Cecchin after he finished his final NRL match in September – and brought the curtain down on a top-flight career that spanned more than 350 games.

The Australian had officiated at the highest level since the early 2000s, refereeing at the World Cup as well as in the Four Nations, while also taking charge of four State of Origin games and three NRL Grand Finals.

He also became one of the most high profile men in Australian sport to come out as gay, when he opened up publicly about his sexuality in 2012.

So, a cracking guest to kick off 2022 on the podcast – and there’s so much brilliant stuff in this conversation with Matt.

We talk about how he got into refereeing; getting his break at an elite level; some of his most memorable moments in the game, and dealing with pressure; coming out in his personal life and publicly; the fear he felt after sharing his story; being a role-model for the LGBTQ+ community in rugby; and decided to hang up his boots.

It’s a cracking conversation with someone we’re really fortunate to have had the chance to chat to, and we’re really grateful Matt took the time to join us.

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?

It’s time to bring the curtain down on 2021 with the second part of our ‘Year in Review’ special, as we remind ourselves of some of the brilliant guests who have joined us on the podcast between July and December.

There’s lots of topics on the agenda in this one – coming out in professional football; representation of the LGBTQ+ community in wrestling; winning an Olympic gold medal; standing up as an ally in Formula 1; and so, so much more.

It’s all in this episode, as well as much more – as we wrap up the biggest year we’ve ever had on this podcast.

And don’t worry – we’ve already got loads of cracking guests set for 2022 as well, and we can't wait to bring them to you in the new year.

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?

It’s been a bumper year on the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast, with more big guests than ever before.

So, to wrap up 2021, we’re taking a trip down memory lane for our next two episodes to remember some of the stars who have joined us over the past twelve months – and the brilliant stories they’ve shared.

Today’s guests all joined us between January and June - where we talked about everything from changing attitudes towards HIV; coming out as bisexual in rugby; making it as a professional footballer in Mexico; challenging stereotypes in surfing; finding a sport where you fit; and so much more.

It’s been great to remind ourselves of the brilliant stories that our top guests have shared with us in 2021 – and don’t forget, our second ‘Best of’ episode drops next week with some of the stories that stuck with us from July through to December.

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?

It’s fair to say Jake Williamson has loved sport for as long as he can remember.

As a kid, he tried a bit of everything – but it was skiing, running and football that really stood out from the pack.

In fact, he was good enough to pursue a career at a professional level, trialling at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and travelling to Europe where he was offered a contract to play football full-time in Poland.

And while that dream didn’t quite work out, he still plays at a decent level now and, as well as doing personal training, is also a season ticket holder at Chelsea.

But for a long time, Jake didn’t think it was possible to be all those things – and to be gay as well.

So, he pushed the feelings he had for men down, and it was only when he met his partner Paul that he realised he was ready to tell his friends and family about his sexuality.

Now, he’s sharing his story with us on this podcast, in the hope that it can help others who may be in the same situation.

This is a cracking conversation, it really is – on Jake’s love of the beautiful game; those experiences in Poland and Scotland; his love of staying active; how his relationship helped him gain the confidence to share his story; the importance of role-models and language; and so much more.

It’s all here in an open, honest and fascinating chat that we really think you’ll like.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?

It seems odd for the founder of West Ham’s LGBTQ+ supporters group to come from family containing plenty of Spurs fans – but that’s exactly what happened with Jim Dolan.

In fact, that seems to be a running theme amongst the folks at Pride Of Irons – because Jim’s co-chair Jo Bailey also has a smattering of Spurs fans in her family (although as you’ll hear from the recording, not the huge amount I may have implied!).

There’s so much good stuff on tap for this one – the passion and highs-and-lows of following your team; visibility in football; why Jim started tweeting about being an LGBTQ+ West Ham fan and how that led to Pride of Irons; how Jo discovered it and what it mean to her; being embraced by your club; West Ham’s season so far and so much more.

It’s honestly a brilliant chat that we really think you’ll like it – and we’re hugely grateful to Jim and Jo for taking the time.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?