How can sport get more women and girls active?

In this episode I spoke to women across the sports industry, both professionals and athletes, to find out what first brought them into sport and how they believe sport can get more women and girls active in the future.

First of all I spoke to Leigh Martin, London & South East Regional Team Leader at England Netball. She has played high level netball and basketball, coaches the sport and is currently studying a doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology. I found out –

* Why is it a hugely exciting time for the sport this summer? * How are Back to Netball and Walking Netball getting more women active?* How does Leigh intend to help develop coaches in the future?*

I then chatted to Jess Trimnell, club captain of AFC Wimbledon Ladies. The team currently competes in the FA Women’s National League Division One South East. Jess told me –

* What was it like competing for GB in the World University Games in China in front of packed crowds?* How has Jess supported AFC Wimbledon to develop women’s and girls’ football in recent years?* How are the FA working to grow the sport?

For full shownotes and links from the episode, please visit www.sportsinsiderpodcast.com

In part two I chatted to one of the youngest non-league football managers – Luke Smith, about how his kickboxing background led him into a coaching and managerial career at non-league football clubs. I found out –

* How much commitment is required to become a successful football manager and coach?* How does Luke deal with challenges such as player confidence and availability?* How much pride does Luke take in seeing talented players progress within the game?

I then spoke to Matt Hudson, Media Manager at Colchester United FC, to find how he led the development of the media department at the club during a period of transition to a new stadium, whilst embracing new opportunities to engage fans. I discovered –

* How has the football landscape changed during Matt’s time in the game? * How has the media department helped engage more fans with the club?* How did the media team contribute to winning Family Club of the Year in 2015?

For full shownotes and links from the episode, please visit www.sportsinsiderpodcast.com

What is it really like working and playing in professional football?

In this episode I talk to professionals within football to find out more about their stories, their highlights and challenges they’ve overcome within the sport.

In part one I spoke to professional footballer Cody McDonald, who has played as a striker for the likes of Norwich City, AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham. Cody is currently at Ebbsfleet United and still scoring regularly. He talks with great honesty about his career and I asked him –

* What was it like moving to Norwich City FC and scoring on debut?* What were the challenges of becoming a professional footballer?* How did he succeed at Gillingham FC?

For full shownotes and links from the episode, please visit www.sportsinsiderpodcast.com

Welcome to Part 2 of this episode about urban sport and recreation in parks. I had a great chat with two successful organisations that have grown activity within parks and urban areas in recent years.

First of all I spoke to Ross Cawood, Franchise Owner of London & NZ Last Man Stands Leagues, to find out –

* How have they managed to grow evening cricket leagues globally?

* How have they made their leagues work around busy lifestyles?

* How have used technology to engage with their players and teams?

I then talked to Luke Thompson, GB Goalball Captain and coach at UK Wallball, who explained –

* What makes Wallball the perfect sport for urban areas?

* How have Luke’s recent competitions progressed as he competes at the top end of the sport?

* What plans do UK Wallball have to grow the sport in the next few years?

For full shownotes and links from the episode, please visit www.sportsinsiderpodcast.com

How can physical activity get more people exercising in parks and urban areas?

In this two-part episode I talk to experts about urban sport and park recreation, and discuss how they’ve grown phenomenally in recent years, such as through the growth of Parkrun, military style bootcamps, and new facilities for the public such as outdoor gyms and skateparks.

In part one, I talked to Born Barikor, CEO of Our Parks, and found out-

* How have Our Parks managed to get inactive people to exercise in parks?

* Why do they see parks becoming the equivalent of high end gyms?

* How have used technology to bring people together?

For full shownotes and links from the episode, please visit www.sportsinsiderpodcast.com

A new series of the podcast is out next week!

In Series 2 we look the growth of sport in parks and urban areas, how sport can take a lead on sustainability and social inclusion, and plans to get more women and girls active. We also speak to professionals and athletes in Football and Martial Arts in two standalone episodes. 

In the two-part first episode we talk to Our Parks, Last Man Stands and UK Wallball about their exciting success in growing sport in parks and urban areas.

Get in touch with the show at @podcastinsider on Twitter and https://www.facebook.com/PodcastInsider/ 

In this episode we discuss the Young Leaders in Cricket Programme, a fantastic scheme that provides youngsters with the leadership skills and confidence to volunteer within their cricket clubs, schools and in their future lives. The programme has been running since 2010 and has rapidly grown across the South East and has ambitions to develop nationally.

To find out more, I attended the Awards evening, hosted at Lord’s on 8th October, which featured great stories from the youngsters that have taken part this year. I also talked to Chris Whitaker, the vice Chairman of Cricket Leaders, and Chris Rowley, Regional Youth Participation Executive about the achievements of the Young Leaders programme so far, the importance of volunteering in sport and their future plans.

Show Notes:

* Chris Whitaker discusses the aims and achievements of Young Leaders in Cricket [1:34]

* Fundraising stories from Beth’s Grammar School and Chesham CC [7:08]

* Chris Rowley explains how supporting young volunteers is a key emphasis across cricket [9:58]

* Chris Whitaker talks about volunteering in society and future plans for the programme [14:27]

Key quotes:

“It’s about giving young people life skills, the opportunity to use those skills within the cricket environment and schools, and giving them an idea about volunteering and why it’s important” Chris Whitaker [2:02]

“One of us organised a second-hand sale that raised £200, we organised a football event for England v Belgium, and we worked together on a raffle” Chesham CC [8:22]

“When I was a young person, I looked at sports coaching as a way of broadening my own horizons as well as improving other people. It helped me get into university, much more depth to my CV, being a bit more critical about myself and what my strengths and weaknesses are.” Chris Rowley [11:49]

Links Mentioned:

Young Leaders in Cricket – https://cricketleaders.clubpay.co.uk/

Andy Littlechild – Programme Leader – [email protected]

In this episode we discuss the Young Leaders in Cricket Programme, a fantastic scheme that provides youngsters with the leadership skills and confidence to volunteer within their cricket clubs, schools and in their future lives. The programme has been running since 2010 and has rapidly grown across the South East and has ambitions to develop nationally.

To find out more, I attended the Awards evening, hosted at Lord’s on 8th October, which featured great stories from the youngsters that have taken part this year. I also talked to Chris Whitaker, the vice Chairman of Cricket Leaders, and Chris Rowley, Regional Youth Participation Executive about the achievements of the Young Leaders programme so far, the importance of volunteering in sport and their future plans.

Show Notes:

* Chris Whitaker discusses the aims and achievements of Young Leaders in Cricket [1:34]

* Fundraising stories from Beth’s Grammar School and Chesham CC [7:08]

* Chris Rowley explains how supporting young volunteers is a key emphasis across cricket [9:58]

* Chris Whitaker talks about volunteering in society and future plans for the programme [14:27]

Key quotes:

“It’s about giving young people life skills, the opportunity to use those skills within the cricket environment and schools, and giving them an idea about volunteering and why it’s important” Chris Whitaker [2:02]

“One of us organised a second-hand sale that raised £200, we organised a football event for England v Belgium, and we worked together on a raffle” Chesham CC [8:22]

“When I was a young person, I looked at sports coaching as a way of broadening my own horizons as well as improving other people. It helped me get into university, much more depth to my CV, being a bit more critical about myself and what my strengths and weaknesses are.” Chris Rowley [11:49]

Links Mentioned:

Young Leaders in Cricket – https://cricketleaders.clubpay.co.uk/

Andy Littlechild – Programme Leader – [email protected]

We talk to unbeaten professional boxer Kaan Hawes about his journey in the sport, starting out watching fights on the tv, turning amateur and his recent decision to turn pro. We find out how what motivates him as he prepares for a fight, the challenges he’s had to overcome, and his greatest nights in the ring.

Kaan also tells us which boxers have inspired him, his favourite contests and the fights that we should look out for in the coming months.

His next fight is on the 21st September at the Brentwood Centre on the MTK Bill.

Show Notes:

* Kaan’s journey in boxing [0:30]

* Favourite boxers, fights and what to look out for in the coming months [12:17]

Significant quotes:

“I was playing football at Witham FC, and I had a slight tear in my knee and was out for three months… so just before pre-season I thought I’d get back in shape… in the gym there was a guy running a boxercise class who said “jump in”, so I thought I’d try it… six weeks later I had a white collar fight” [2:24]

“A world title for me would be a Southern Area title… I’d love that – it would be my everything… but we take it in six-month periods and look where it goes” [5:10]

“I’m looking forward to the Whyte Parker rematch… I’d love to see a Joshua Whyte rematch, that’d be brilliant for British boxing, selling out somewhere like Wembley with two British heavyweights, genuine world title contenders, that’d be massive” [18:42]

We talk to unbeaten professional boxer Kaan Hawes about his journey in the sport, starting out watching fights on the tv, turning amateur and his recent decision to turn pro. We find out how what motivates him as he prepares for a fight, the challenges he’s had to overcome, and his greatest nights in the ring.

Kaan also tells us which boxers have inspired him, his favourite contests and the fights that we should look out for in the coming months.

His next fight is on the 21st September at the Brentwood Centre on the MTK Bill.

Show Notes:

* Kaan’s journey in boxing [0:30]

* Favourite boxers, fights and what to look out for in the coming months [12:17]

Significant quotes:

“I was playing football at Witham FC, and I had a slight tear in my knee and was out for three months… so just before pre-season I thought I’d get back in shape… in the gym there was a guy running a boxercise class who said “jump in”, so I thought I’d try it… six weeks later I had a white collar fight” [2:24]

“A world title for me would be a Southern Area title… I’d love that – it would be my everything… but we take it in six-month periods and look where it goes” [5:10]

“I’m looking forward to the Whyte Parker rematch… I’d love to see a Joshua Whyte rematch, that’d be brilliant for British boxing, selling out somewhere like Wembley with two British heavyweights, genuine world title contenders, that’d be massive” [18:42]