The Sports Career Podcast

Building a Women's Football Programme: The Life of a General Manager at Al-Ittihad

This week's podcast guest is Abdulaziz Al-Gosaibi, known as Aziz, General Manager of the Al-Ittihad Women's First Team. His football journey began nearly a decade ago, when he joined Jeddah Eagles as an assistant coach. Since then, he has helped develop Al-Ittihad's women's programme, including its first team and academy, through a period of rapid growth in Saudi women's football.

In this conversation, Aziz discusses the realities of building a women's football programme, the lessons he learned from early mentors, and how trust, adaptability, and a shared sense of purpose help a team grow.

During the podcast, we discuss:

• From industrial engineering to football management – How Aziz's education shaped his approach to processes, time management, and improving the player experience
• The early days of women's football in Saudi Arabia – His experience coaching Jeddah Eagles and witnessing the game's development
• The details behind a team's preparation – How planning travel, facilities, and match information helps players feel prepared and focused
• Learning through mistakes and adapting – Why there is no single playbook for football management, and how experience builds good judgment
• A service-minded approach to leadership – How listening to players and staff helps create an environment where they can thrive
• Ubuntu and growing together – How a collective mindset can strengthen a team on and off the pitch
• Sustaining a career in sport – Why patience, belief in the women's game, and finding a healthy work-life balance matter for the long run and much more!

How To Connect With Aziz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/algosaibi_aziz/

Al-Ittihad Women's Team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ittihadladiesclub/

Al-Ittihad Women's Team on X: https://x.com/ittiladiesclub

How to Tell Stories That Inspire: The Power of Storytelling in Women's Football with Firdose Moonda

This week's podcast guest is Firdose Moonda, an acclaimed journalist, author, broadcaster, and long-form sports writer specializing in women's football and cricket. She's the co-author of 185: The Janine van Wyk Story, a groundbreaking narrative that explores South Africa's highest-capped footballer and one of Africa's greatest pioneers.

Through her work in journalism, broadcasting, and research in yoga, embodiment, and cultural practice, Firdose brings a unique lens to storytelling in sport.

In this conversation, Firdose shares why storytelling is essential for inspiring the next generation of girls in women's football, how she brought Janine van Wyk's legacy to life, and what it truly takes to capture the human story behind the sport.

During the podcast, we discuss:

• Why storytelling is a tool to support society – How sharing authentic narratives builds culture and creates belonging in women's football
• Starting a career as a sports writer and cultural commentator – Firdose's journey from journalist to author, and how sport intersects with embodiment and identity
• The power of capturing the untold story – What lies behind 185 caps, and why the human moments matter as much as the achievements
• How sport can develop the next generation – Why girls need to see themselves in the stories of pioneers like Janine van Wyk
• Long-form storytelling in women's football – The craft of bringing legacy to life through narrative
• 3 tips for aspiring sports writers – Firdose's guidance for anyone wanting to tell powerful stories in sport
• The intersection of embodiment, culture, and sport – How deeper narratives create lasting impact
• Building legacy through storytelling – Why Janine's story inspires, and what happens when great careers are finally told

Connect with Firdose Here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firdosemoonda/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/firdose-moonda-9b6497172/

Website: https://firdosemoonda.com/

Grab A Copy of 185: The Janine van Wyk Story Here:

Link: Get Your Copy!

How to Develop Self-Discipline in Football: 20 Years at the Top with Onome Ebi

This week's podcast guest is Onome Ebi, a true legend of African women's football. She's the most-capped player in Super Falcons history with over 100 international caps, a six-time FIFA Women's World Cup participant (the only African player—male or female—to achieve this), and a four-time AWCON (Africa Women's Cup of Nations) champion. She's also a former Super Falcons captain, Nigeria Women's Footballer of the Year, and recent graduate of the FIFA Player Executive Programme.

In this conversation, we explore why self-discipline is a skill you can build, how writing goals down shaped her two-decade career, what it truly takes to lead a team, and how she found new purpose after retiring with gratitude, purpose, and love for African football.

During the podcast, we discuss:

• Discipline is a daily standard, not an on-off habit – Turning professional made discipline non-negotiable in every area of life
• Write your goals down, even before you know what they mean – Her diary entries (play for the national team, play abroad, become the best) became self-fulfilling prophecies
• Adaptability is a superpower – Moving from centre forward to utility defender showed her the power of flexibility
• Do the extra to stay in the team – Her "5% + 3-4% more" rule kept her competing at the top for two decades
• Lead before the armband – Emotional intelligence and creating safe environments for teammates shaped her leadership long before becoming captain
• Culture and legacy make a team – The Super Falcons' singing, her iconic number 5 shirt, and the handover of her legacy to Ashleigh Plumptre OON
• Retirement is an identity shift – Finding purpose again after facing online abuse and a brush with depression through the FIFA programme and coaching education
• A vision for African women's football – Her five-year goal for players across Africa to have a safe, supportive environment to play, speak freely and much more!

Coonect with Ebi Here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onosky5/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onosky58

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebi-onome-4245b8368/

Podcast's Mentioned:

440: Rasheedat Ajibade OON - What does it take to be a Female Professional Footballer in Nigeria? 434: Ashleigh Plumptre OON - How can Trust, Leadership & Resilience Develop Success Teams in Football & Business?

This week's podcast is a solo episode from Ed Bowers, the host of The Sports Career Podcast.

You will learn:

1. Authentic Networking in the Sports Industry
2. Nurturing Professional Relationships in the Sports Industry
3. Introverted vs. Extroverted: How to Play to Your Strengths When Networking
4. Job Shadowing as the First Step Into Athlete Youth Development
5. Case Study: Ed's Current Trip to Saudi Arabia and What It's Teaching Him About the Women's Game

Resourses:

370: How To Maintain Meaningful Relationships In The Sports Industry?

Let's Connect!

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edbowers101/

Follow Ed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edbowers101/

Football as a Vehicle for Change: Using Football Stories for Social Impact with Kely Nascimento

This week's podcast guest is Kely Nascimento – founder and CEO of The Impact Game, President of the Nascimento Foundation, global sport and narrative strategist, and daughter of Brazilian legend Pelé.

Kely's career has travelled through art school, graphic design, photography, theatre, and content creation, before converging on purpose-driven storytelling in football, particularly in women's sport and social impact. Drawing on a life lived between Brazil, the United States, and Paris, she has developed a unique lens on how art, culture, and human behaviour intersect with football.

In this conversation, we go deep into storytelling as a tool for social change, why football is such a powerful vehicle for humanity's stories, and how better listening, empathy, and diversity in decision-making can unlock the "untapped power" of women's narratives in sport.

During the podcast chat we spoke about:

1. Football is the vehicle, not the destination Kely's real subject is people, not sport. Football is simply a powerful global stage to explore human behaviour, identity, culture, and social issues. If you love something outside sport (art, music, law, education), you can still bring that into football as your vehicle.

2. The best storytelling starts with understanding yourself Every story passes through your personal "filter" of experiences, beliefs and biases. Effective storytellers keep doing inner work: understanding who they are, what they value, and how that shapes the way they see and retell stories.

3. Listening and asking are more important than talking Kely emphasises active listening: asking questions, letting people finish, and then clarifying instead of assuming. Great storytelling often comes from hearing what people struggle to say and helping them express it—without putting your own meaning on top.

4. Who tells the story matters as much as the story itself There's a big difference between:

   • A group of powerful people telling women's or marginalised communities' stories for them, versus
   • Creating space, resources, and platforms for those communities to tell their own stories. Brands, federations, and media need to move from "consulting women" to letting women lead narrative creation.

5. Context and culture are non‑negotiable in social impact Real impact requires understanding what people actually want in their own context. The Zanzibar example shows this: changing school schedules, working with imams, and respecting religious and cultural norms did more for girls' sport than any top‑down "liberation" message could.

6. Feminism is about choice, not one 'correct' path Whether it's wearing a hijab, changing your surname, or how you present your identity, Kely stresses that feminism means women deciding for themselves—not swapping one set of prescriptions (patriarchal) for another (a narrow version of "modern freedom").

7. Joy is fuel for sustainable storytelling work Kely separates joy from constant happiness. Joy is the deep sense of meaning you get from the work, even when parts of it are hard (like editing, travel, or friction with institutions). To last in this space, you must find and protect the joy in the process, not only in outcomes.

Connect with Kely & Resourses:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelynascimento/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkelynascimento/

Kely's Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B1d7AvZ1CI&t=368s

Ted Talk: Ernesto Sirolli: Want to help someone? Shut up and listen!

Women in Soccer: https://womeninsoccer.org/

Raising a Student-Athlete: Work Ethic, Wellbeing & Family Values with Gosia Betancourt

This week's podcast guest is Gosia Betancourt, a Senior Healthcare Leader in the Pharmaceuticals Industry and a deeply engaged sports parent supporting her sons' athletic journeys, particularly her son Joshua's pathway as a student-athlete in diving.

Gosia has over 20 years' experience in pharmaceuticals and sales, working across global markets including Poland, the UK, the US, and Africa (e.g., Swaziland). Alongside her corporate leadership career, she has been intentionally building a high-performance yet values-driven family environment, integrating travel, education, sport, and character development for her two sons.

In this conversation, we go behind the scenes of what it really takes to be a sports parent. We explore how family values, work ethic, and communication shape both elite sport performance and healthy human development.

During the podcast chat we spoke about:

• Gosia's global journey and career foundation: How exposure to different cultures shaped her empathy, communication, and parenting style
• Family values as the base for sport: Building core values at home before worrying about medals or results
• Sales, pharma and parenting crossover: How "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" helps with coaches, teachers and children
• Failure, emotional control and mental toughness: Why managing emotions after success is just as important as after failure
• The pivotal moment: leaving elite gymnastics: Joshua's decision to walk away from high-level gymnastics despite success
• Transitioning from gymnastics to diving: The importance of a kind, supportive environment and what that revealed about his past experiences
• Balancing elite training with education: Why they chose Crimson Global Academy (CGA) for flexible, high-level online education

Connect with Gosia Here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gosia-betancourt-ma-pacs-1516b430/

Connect Gosia through Crimson Global Academy Link Here

How To Pursue A Career In Football Team Operations & Player Services

This week's podcast guest is Natalia Jirala – Football Operations and Player Care Services Professional working across Saudi Arabia and AFC Football Environments, including the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 LOC, SAFF, SPL Player Care, and Al Ittihad/PIF club structures.

Natalia is a football operations and player services professional with over eight years of experience delivering high-performance environments across elite competitions. Her background includes player care and operational support around elite international player environments, working with players including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Fabinho, Moussa Diaby and Steven Bergwijn, mainly on the relocation, family support, cultural integration and team services side.

During the podcast chat we spoke about:

• How her football career started, and what inspired her to pursue the industry
• How the UEFA Certificate in Football Management (UEFA CFM) shaped her career development
• What drew her to specialise in Player Care & Football Operations
• What it takes to support elite players and their families through relocation and cultural integration into a new country
• Her experience working across major competitions and club structures, including SPL Player Care, Al Ittihad/PIF, and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, and much more!

Connect with Natalia Here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-jirala/

Email: [email protected]

Redefining Football Business: Commercial Strategy, Motherhood & Leadership with Aslı Koç Tiryak

This week's podcast special guest is Aslı Koç Tiryak – Football Industry Executive, former Head of Commercial & Sustainability at Istanbul Başakşehir FK, member of the European Club Association / European Football Clubs committees, and founder of LOBA a consultancy focused on strategy, marketing, communications, and sustainability in football.

From falling in love with the Premier League as a young girl in Turkey to helping Istanbul Başakşehir become Turkish champions and regulars in European competitions, Aslı's journey shows what happens when you combine curiosity, analytical thinking, and courage to "think differently" in a traditionally male‑dominated industry. She now works with clubs and organisations on redefining commercial strategy with sustainability and social impact at the core.

In this conversation, Aslı shares how a non‑linear path (starting in chemistry, moving into events, media, and club football) shaped her unique way of solving problems, why sustainability became the brand positioning for Başakşehir, how she navigates motherhood and leadership in football, and why she believes football is one of the most powerful tools for social and environmental change.

What You'll Discover:

• From chemistry lab to a Football Club : How Aslı intentionally chose chemistry because of her obsession with asking "why?", and how that scientific, puzzle‑solving mindset now shapes her work in commercial strategy and sponsorship.
• Redefining a club branding through sustainability: The story behind questioning a "grey kit", why there was no strategic answer, and how that simple "why?" led to Başakşehir positioning sustainability at the heart of its brand, turning alternative kits into a playground for environmental messages and award‑winning campaigns.
• Becoming Turkish champions and entering Europe: What it meant to join Başakşehir in its fourth year, win the Turkish Super League, qualify for the Champions League, reach a Europa League quarterfinal, and suddenly be responsible for organising matches against European giants – including meeting childhood heroes like Sir Alex Ferguson.
• Looking ahead to EURO 2032 and Turkish football's transformation: Why co‑hosting EURO 2032 with Italy is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity for Turkey, and how governance, structure, and entertainment‑driven experiences must evolve to unlock football's full potential.
• Motherhood as the ultimate leadership programme: How becoming a mother has changed her leadership – from empathy and vulnerability to sharper focus on where she spends time and energy – and why she wants her daughter (and other girls) to know they do not have to choose between family and an ambitious career.
• Founding Loba and serving the wider ecosystem: The story behind planning LOBA 18 months before leaving Başakşehir, what Loba actually does for clubs, leagues, brands, and investors, and how it aims to prepare Turkish and European football for a more strategic and sustainable future.
• Aslı shares how Curiosity, relationships, and authenticity as career cornerstones and much more.

Connect with Aslı Here:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/asl%C4%B1-e-ko%C3%A7-tiryaki-b4194629/

Instagram:

https://laloba.tr/

Website:

https://www.instagram.com/asasinoykusu/

Rethinking Leadership in Sport & Business: How Ed Smith Uses Humanities & AI to Shape Future Leaders

This week's podcast special guest is Ed Smith – former professional cricketer, author, broadcaster, ex-Chief Selector for England Cricket (2018–2021), President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and Director of the Institute for Sport and Humanites (ISH).

From opening the batting for Kent as a teenager to helping England win the Cricket World Cup and now shaping leaders through education and AI, Ed's career spans elite performance, leadership, and deep thinking about what sport can teach us about life. He's uniquely placed at the intersection of high-performance sport, humanities, and emerging technologies like AI.

In this conversation, Ed shares how his experiences in professional cricket, writing, and academic leadership have shaped his philosophy on amateur vs professional mindsets, balance vs obsession, and how education and AI can help us rethink leadership in both sport and business.

What You'll Discover:

1. Ed's unexpected leap into professional cricket: How he went from Kent U19s to opening the batting in the County Championship almost overnight – and why loving the game and being a good learner matters more than being "ahead" when you're young.

2. Amateur vs professional mindset – and why we need both: The core ideas from his book What Sport Tells Us About Life – why "amateur" shouldn't mean sloppy, how to protect the joy that got you into sport in the first place, and how to carry that into a professional environment.

3. The real meaning of balance in high performance: Why Ed's best seasons (1997 and 2003) came when he was stretched off the field – studying for university exams and writing a book – and what this teaches athletes and leaders about not sacrificing everything for performance.

4. Using your 'extra' time as an athlete wisely: Ed's candid view that many professional athletes have more time than they think – and how using that time for education, reflection, or a second discipline can actually improve on-field performance.

5. The Institute for Sport and Humanities (ISH) and leadership development: How Ed founded ISH while serving as England's Chief Selector, the type of leaders they're developing (from players like Matt Fisher and Heather Knight to professionals across sports), and why critical thinking, humanities, and AI now sit at the heart of modern leadership.

6. Flow state, form, and the 'absence of irrelevant thought': Ed's practical take on flow – how to focus on enjoying concentration rather than runs or results, how to handle bad form, and why being fully present (and not thinking about anything else) is a powerful competitive advantage.

7. Lessons for business leaders from elite sport: How ideas like balance, deep focus, love of the work, and intelligent use of technology (including AI) translate directly from the dressing room to the boardroom – and what leaders in any industry can borrow from Ed's playbook.

Connect with Ed here: Website: https://www.edsmithwriter.com/ ISH Website: https://www.sportshumanities.org/

Beyond the Job Board: Inside Sports Recruitment with Janine Mostyn

This week's podcast special guest is Janine Mostyn, Managing Director of Huckleberry Sport and one of the most respected specialist recruiters in the sports and entertainment industry.

With 20 years in recruitment (and nearly a decade running Huckleberry Sport), Janine has helped rights holders, clubs, agencies and brands build high-performing teams, and supported hundreds of candidates into dream roles across football, motorsport, entertainment, and beyond.

In this conversation, Janine lifts the lid on what really happens in sports recruitment: how clients should work with headhunters, what candidates must do (and stop doing) to stand out, and how great recruiters operate with integrity in a competitive industry. She also shares powerful advice on networking and becoming a genuine connector in sport.

What You'll Discover:

1.Janine's journey into recruitment and sport: The moment she realised generic sectors weren't exciting enough – and why sport and football felt like "the best feeling ever."

2. From public sector to sports & entertainment: How working at a creative agency, bringing in clients across sectors, led her to naturally gravitate to sports clients.

3. Transferable skills and the "blueprint" for recruitment: The non-negotiables: being thorough, not shortcutting shortlists, and genuinely considering every candidate.

4. Quality over quantity in the sports recruitment space: Why Janine prioritises long-term, high-quality relationships over chasing volume.

5. Do's and Don'ts for clients working with recruiters: How to set realistic expectations (no "unicorn hunting" for 6 months) and define what the essential 80% really is.

6. Do's and Don'ts for candidates in the sports industry: The problem with "apply, apply, apply" and why mass applications (300+ roles) rarely work.

7. The recruiter's perspective: standards, ethics & feedback: What great recruiters actually do behind the scenes: mapping markets, longlisting, referencing, coaching, and much more.

Connect with Janine:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinemostyn/

Website: http://www.huckleberrysport.com