Emma is so much more than her Job Role. This is a special one for me as she is such a huge part of my own story and I am adamant she is responsible for some of my life's best work.

Her experience and expertise in the world of performance analysis are only eclipsed by her authenticity and commitment to her core values. In this episode Emma walks us through her career, her start, the changing times of being a female in a male dominated industry. Her love never shines brighter than when she talks about her babies, her family and her love of both England and Blackburn Rovers!! This episode has everything from advice to maintaining a work life balance, when is the right time to take stock in your career, how to sustain a decade at the highest level of performance in a national team MDT, learning Spanish from now premier Leauge superstar Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya,, that feeling when you pull on your first kit! It's all here. This episode is full of guidance designed to offer strength and support to you for your own journey; but more than anything its a lesson in engaging with your why, being true to yourself and the amazing things that can happen when you put players first.

Manchester United have named an academy graduate in their matchday day squad for the last 88 years...yes thats right 88 years...It's a record that began on Saturday 30 October 1937, when Manchester United youngsters Tom Manley and Jack Wassall sported the famous red in an away clash against Fulham. Since that momentous day at Craven Cottage all those years ago, United have continued to feature a youth player in their matchday squad for over 4,000 consecutive games.

Jennifer Mildenhall is the Academy Emerging Talent Programme Manager at Manchester United Football Club in the English Premier League.

She has previous experience working for the Premier League and the Football Leauge Trust. Her previous clubs include giants of the British game such as Wolves, Newcastle United & Sunderland. She has traveled and worked in South Africa and she is an expert in emerging talent programs. she shares amazing insight into one of the biggest football clubs in the world so you can take inspiration for your own journey. Jen shares with us how Manchester United approaches selecting and developing emerging talent like todays greats Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

More that that Jen is an amazing person and she shares her personal journey in the game and why the culture of youth development is so important and how Manchester United work hard every day to ensure they breathe life into a working ecosystem of support and challenge to prepare players to function at the highest levels imaginable.

This is a special episode that we know will bring strength and inspiration to those in the industry and those aspiring to be...

Myles Smith is assistant Manager of Al-Ittihad (al-Ittyhad) Ladies in the Saudi womens Pro League,

Myles offers his insight and story so that you may draw strength and benefit for your journey in professional football. Today, he talks to us about his previous roles at West Ham United where he experienced everything from almost getting fired "twice" on his first day to walking out at Wembley for the FA Cup final and everything that comes in between. He also shares his views on his current role and the state of the union in Saudi Arabia when it comes to womens football and women attending matches as supporters. An enthralling listen from start to end as the Pro Player Podcast goes to explore soccer in Saudi...(On zoom anyway...)

David Garcia is the Owner and Founder of "its just a sport" (Ijas)

https://www.itsjustasport.com

The IJaS coaching academy is a collection of self-paced online courses to help you embark into coaching with confidence. The courses are developed to provide you with theoretical foundations alongside practical tools to help you develop problem-solving players, maintain composure in the face of adversity, and provide your players the best possible football experience.

Embark confidently in the chaos of coaching.

Today, David joins us and gives us his insight on the modern game, where it is going and he also talks openly and honestly about this youth playing days in North America's "Pay to Play" Model of youth soccer. An episode for anyone who loves the game itself and some amazing insight you can draw strength from also...

Tosh Farrell, a UEFA 'A' licensed coach and member of the Professional Football Coaches Association is described by Craig Brown CBE the former mens national 1st team head coach of Scotland as arguably, to be one of the foremost exponents of youth coaching in the game. He is the former Head of International Football Development and Technical Coordinator at the English Premier Club Everton FC. Tosh has spent 13 years developing his Soccer Development Methodology at one of the leading youth academies in the world, helping develop numerous players who have gone on to represent Everton FC 1st team. These players include Wayne Rooney,Ross Barkley, Jack Rodwell, Callum McManaman. The EPL's youngest ever goal scorer, James Vaughan (age 16yrs 270 days) and the youngest player ever to represent Everton in the premier league Jose Baxter (age 16 yrs,191 days) “The key to success lies in Tosh's knowledge, experience and understanding of the right way to develop soccer excellence in young players. Like all coaches he likes to win but his focus is exclusively on the process of development – he knows if he gets this right the score will take care of itself.” - Bill Beswick M.Ed. Former sports psychologist to Manchester United, Middlesbrough and the England National Team.

A man who needs no introduction...Paul McGuinness (born 2 March 1966) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra and Chester City. He is the current Head of Academy Player Development for Leicester City's under-18 team

McGuinness is the son of former Manchester United player and manager Wilf McGuinness who took overt he worlds most famous football club from the late, great Sir Matt Busby, Paul shares stories of an upbringing that nobody else in the world could imagine - Inside Manchester United Football Club. He holds a degree in physical education from Loughborough University and is today regarded as one of a select group of people who are shaping the national discussion around technical development in the UK.

As a player, McGuinness was a midfielder who made 20 Football League appearances with Crewe Alexandra and Chester City. He also spent time with Manchester United (where he progressed through the youth ranks).

Today you will likely find Paul, in person, in the corridors of the English National Football Center, St Georges Park. Delivering on the UEFA Pro Licence and UEFA A Licence courses and online delivering masterclass workshops on technical development. His seminars with the FA "Under he microscope" can be found on Youtube and once you find one you will watch them all. His soccer specific expert breakdowns of technique and skill, resinate in a way that nobody else quite can. His passion for a life spent entrenched in the game and his footballing heritage make an hour with him one of the best investments you can make in yourself.

Developing Observational Skills "Under the Microscope" - Paul McGuinness / Matt Bishop

https://youtu.be/xWrMFrqziFM?si=8w17ATCDr6ljDtoq

FA Learning Resource

Richard is perhaps one of the most prominent Womens Football Writers of the last decade. He has serious experience of working in the women's game, published in outlets such as FourFourTwo, World Soccer Magazine, ESPN, The Athletic, The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, OPTUS Sport and more.In 2023, He covered the World Cup for host outlet OPTUS Sport, as well as OPTA and across his own dedicated Substack - Women's Football Chronicles, after covering major tournaments in 2017, 2019 and 2022, including England's successful European Championship success on home soil he was also privileged to be a moderator of three panels at the 2023 "Thinking Football Summit in Porto". He has been instrumental in launching several special dedicated women's football projects, including The Guardian's Top 100 Female Footballers of the Year, and Messages from Home for The Times.

Rich is on hand to support and give the benefit of his experience for all aspiring coaches, helping you think about how you will work with the media when the time calls, players and even journalists wanting to work at the highest level of the Women game this one is also for you...

The Football Chronicles

https://richlaverty.substack.com

Professor Adam Nicholls is Professor of Psychology at the University of Hull, England.

He is with us today to bridge the gap between the academic research world and the professional world of coaching because we know how busy coaches are in their day to day, its impossible to stay up to date with everything being published and he will provide everything you need to know in the next hour on the Pro Player Podcast.

Adam has risen to prominence in recent years due to the quality of his work, teaching and his presence on social media. But, also it's because he is an academic who is real and relatable. He openly suffers with Dyslexia (Just like me) and talks about how these things dont have to define you. He posts on LinkedIn about the practical application of psychology in sport. A professor at the university of Hull, England. Who is engaged in research, leadership, and teaching roles. The main focus of his research relates to the psycho-social factors that predict doping among adolescent athletes, along with coping and emotions among athletes. To date, his research is supported by more than £1.1 million as a principal investigator, within the last five years, and £1.5 million including all projects.

These projects have been funded by the International Olympic Committee, The European Commission, the World Anti-Doping Agency, Medical Research Council, and the National Institute for Health Research. His academic career has seen him publish more than 90 journal articles, he has written four books, and edited a book. His most famous book, Psychology in Sports Coaching: Theory and Practice has also been translated into Arabic and Hungarian. The third edition of this book was published in October 2021.In addition to pursuing his own research interests, He is a director of research with the Department of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, and leader of the Sport Psychology and Coaching group. This role involves him mentoring/coaching colleagues, developing a research strategy and impact case studies. Outside of work, he regularly compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and coaches this sport too. He competed at the 2021 British Open, held at Loughborough University, and won the silver medal. He belives being an active competitor allows him to test and refine some of psychological principles in his research.

Buy it now: Psychology in sports coaching:: theory and Practice 3rd Edition; Dr Adam Nicholls

https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Sports-Coaching-Theory-Practice/dp/1032062606

And that's it...Season 2 has come to an amazing end...player, coach and pundit. A living Legend (and she won't agree with us, but she is)...Kath Morgan

Nowadays, Coleg y Cymoedd and the University of South Wales British National Championship winning coach in 2024, their jewel in the crown, Kathryn Morgan, the first woman in Wales to pass the UEFA A Licence, who made more history as the first female pundit in Qatar at the 2022 FIFA mens World Cup to commentate on the Welsh games alongside the BBC.

Kathryn, who had a successful career as a professional female footballer, is now just as formidable in her media career working for BBC Radio Cymru and Radio Wales Sport as part of the broadcaster’s coverage. She joined the likes of Nathan Blake, Iwan Roberts, Danny Gabbidon and Neil Taylor in Qatar for three weeks during the country’s first appearance in the World Cup since 1958 – delivering news bulletins and leading a Q&A podcast with the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

A former international player with over 50 caps to her name, Kathryn represented several teams during her 15-year footballing career including Inter Cardiff (now Cardiff City), Barry Town, Bristol Rovers, and the Welsh national women’s team, becoming the first female footballer in Wales to secure 50 caps.

After attending the 2016 World Cup in France, she was invited by BBC Radio Cymru to join the channel as a pundit, offering commentary on the competition. Since then, she has commentated on several national games and is a regular contributor to the famous Welsh Language S4C Soccer show "Sgorio".

From a young age, Kathryn was determined to play football and she tells us all about how at seven years old, she persuaded boys in the playground to let her join them after watching and practicing their techniques. Her passion became her life's work when she joined Inter Cardiff Women’s team at 17, kickstarting her career and replied to an advert in the paper that led to her getting an International tryout.

More than all this. Anyone who is fortunate to have spent any time with Kath knows what you are about to find out. That there are few people in this world who you just feel better having spent time in their company. Kath's raw, authentic and true self helps us provide a space where you as an aspiring coach or player can spend time, free of judgement and safely asking yourself the key questions you need to draw strength for your journey. Of the 30 episodes we have recorded, none are quite like this one...Enjoy and Happy St Davids Day to everyone around the world...

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus...

Every episode of season 2 is devoted to amplify female voices within the game

Sally is Academy Human Development and Performance Culture Lead at Sheffield United Academy - English Premier Leauge

Sally spent 13 years at The FA within the skills programme and then as a county coach developer. She holds the UEFA A Licence and the Advanced Youth Award (5-11). She is a Thrive Practitioner where she has taken the latest in neuroscience, child development and attachment theory and applied it into football. She is currently Academy Human Development and Performance Culture Lead at Sheffield United Academy. Along with being a Coach Developer for The FA and Consultant at 4Growth. Along with completing a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance at UCLAN.

This in short, is one of the best episodes we have done. Not just because Sally is amazing company but the concepts she brings to the table here will have you rewinding and listening back over and over...simple instructions for this one...Just hit play and enjoy...

*Our Apologies for some of the sound quality, and re-recording of questions, that is on us recording our end and nothing to do with Sally.