In an episode of the PAADS Podcast, hosts Duncan Fletcher and Stephanie Thorburn interview JP van Wyke, the Player Services Manager for the South African Cricketers Association. The discussion centers on Funve's 20-year career in athlete development and player well-being, particularly within the evolving global cricket landscape. Van Wyke details the Player Plus program, which offers mental health, financial wellness, and educational support to players, highlighting the shift towards a dual-career mindset for athletes. He also addresses the challenges of supporting younger players entering professional leagues and the importance of collaboration with agents to ensure player welfare. The conversation further explores the critical work in mental health pioneered by cricket organizations, the impact of the Athlete Development Summit, and future initiatives focused on financial literacy and leveraging the expertise of past players for mentorship.

This discussion centers on the NBA's Coaching Development Program (CDP), featuring insights from Duncan Fletcher of PADS, along with Erjaam Hayes, Director of Player Development at the NBA, and Anisha Curry, Head Coach of the NBA Coaching Development Program. They highlight the program's evolution from event-based training to a comprehensive eight-month curriculum that focuses on technology, core coaching competencies, and professional development for both current and former players. The conversation also addresses the challenges and successes of transitioning from player to coach, emphasizing the importance of a lifelong learner mindset, managing unseen hours, and the value of relationships. Furthermore, it touches upon the program's selection process, the opportunities for practical experience, and the NBA's commitment to inclusivity by providing access for women in coaching.

This text features an interview with Guy Taylor, the national director for the Talented Athlete Scholarship (TASS) in the UK. He explains the origins of TASS, which was formed after the 1996 Olympics to improve Great Britain's performance by creating a pipeline for elite athletes. TASS is a charity that supports talented athletes through partnerships with universities that provide access to facilities and practitioners, offering strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, lifestyle support, nutrition, and psychological services. Taylor highlights the importance of holistic athlete development and discusses the challenges and successes of building relationships with institutions and sports organizations. He also touches on the increasing need for mental health support for athletes and the evolving field of athlete development, emphasizing the importance of establishing professional standards and recognizing it as crucial for long-term success, rather than just a "soft" service.

This podcast episode previews the upcoming PAADS Athlete Development Summit and Symposium events in New York City, hosted at MLB. The discussion outlines a week of activities in May, including an international guest experience with visits to the NBA, WNBA, and MLS, followed by a research symposium on May 14th featuring presentations on topics like gambling culture in female sports and fan reactions to athlete mental health disclosures. The main athlete development summit on May 15th and 16th will feature global partners from various sports leagues sharing their programming, along with sessions on neurodiversity, social media protection for athletes, athlete panels, and self-care for practitioners, emphasizing networking and shared learning. The speakers highlight the value of connecting with fellow professionals and the diverse content planned for the week.

This podcast features an interview with Laney Hodges of Improv Alchemy, who discusses using improvisational theater techniques to improve athlete development. Hodges explains how improv builds crucial skills like communication and teamwork, fostering a more cohesive and resilient team on and off the field. She details her experience working with NFL teams, highlighting the positive impact on player performance and overall well-being. The discussion also addresses overcoming initial hesitancy to participate in improv exercises and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to athlete development. Finally, Hodges shares her plans to expand the application of improv training within professional sports.

This podcast features a conversation with Erjaam Hayes, NBA Director of Player Development, about his career and the NBA's player development programs. Hayes discusses his journey from community relations to player development, highlighting the role of NBA Cares in fostering player interests and passions. He details the structure and challenges of G-League player development, including program creation, resource allocation, and engagement strategies. Furthermore, Hayes addresses the evolving needs of players, particularly concerning entrepreneurship and social media, and looks toward the future of athlete development in the context of NIL deals and changing engagement methods. Finally, the discussion emphasizes the importance of viewing athlete development as a crucial investment rather than a cost.

Steve is a Registered Psychologist with 15+ years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and children. Steve has a Bachelor of Psychology (Arts), a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and is a Board Approved Supervisor with AHPRA. 

He has spent the last 12 years working with Juvenile Justice, mostly in correctional settings, but he has also worked in educational, mental health, and disability settings. Steve has been in private practice since early 2017. 

Steve’s particular interests and skills include working with trauma and PTSD, ADHD/Neurodivergence, anti-social behavior, behavior management, parenting, substance abuse, and divorce and child custody disputes. He has extensive experience in group therapy workshops and training. 

In terms of sport, Steve is currently one of the team-aligned psychologists for the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers Rugby League clubs. He is also a specialist psychologist for antisocial behavior, trauma, and neurodivergence for the National Rugby League as a whole. He was recently appointed as a psychologist assisting the players in association with the Australian Football League and has worked with athletes from the A-League and other Olympic Events. 

From a National Hockey League athlete to leading a multi-million-dollar strategic initiative with the National Hockey League Players Association. Experience and perspectives have propelled strategies for a successful outcome. 
A conversation with Stephanie and Duncan of PAADS to discuss the development of the NHLPA UNLMT athlete development initiative and how it helps serve the needs of athletes and the NHLPA. 

In a conversation with Athlete Development Specialists, focusing innovative strategies to support athletes' growth both on and off the field. This includes addressing the different locker room conversations and guiding athletes through the emotional and psychological challenges of transitioning from active competition to retirement. This also covers the struggles athletes face in retirement, such as identity loss and finding a new purpose and the importance of providing support systems to ease this transition. Additionally, the conversation would emphasize the role of coaches in athlete development, ensuring they are equipped to support their athletes' personal and professional growth.

Welcome to the PAADS Podcast! We hope you enjoy our conversation with Antoine McClain.  Antoine has a unique role in college athletics, working to build bridges between active collegiate athletes and former Clemson Tigers, while helping shape career development objectives. We learn more about Antoine's fascinating gig, how it relates to athlete development and why his role is crucial.  We hope you dig in!

McClain played offensive for the Tigers from 2008-11. In his college career, he played in 54 games while making 41 starts. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals during his professional career.

McClain earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology with a minor in athletic leadership from Clemson in 2017. He completed his Athlete Development Specialist Certification from the University of Florida in 2020.