Will Greenwood: Growing up, Rugby and The Festival Of Sport

Another episode of The Sports Parenting Playbook is presented by Mini Athletics duo Kirk Bowyer and Ben Russell and they are joined by Rugby World Cup winner and The Festival of Sport creator Will Greenwood.

In this episode Kirk and Ben dig deep into the upbringing of Will Greenwood and his journey into the world of sport. As a youth Will loved Athletics, a little known fact is his success as a triple jumper and cricket player before excelling at Rugby. He was once told that he wasn't cut out for the game and should try something different!

As a parent or coach we want the best for our kids and hope that they grow up being active and healthy. Sport has such a big part to play in that development. Discussions like the ones had in this episode and past episodes of the podcast are here to help you understand the best ways to navigate through the journey of bringing children up to be a lover sport and physical activity.

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Interested in Mini Athletics? visit www.miniathletics.com and follow us on Instagram @miniathletics

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Discover the essential elements of long-term athletic development with world-class strength and conditioning coach Jim Kielbaso. In this episode, we explore how foundational movement skills and balanced training can elevate young athletes and influence their long-term sports engagement and success.

• In this episode:The definition and importance of athletic development in youth
• How motor skills, balance, coordination, and sensory processing build athleticism
• The role of sports coaches versus athletic development coaches
• The correlation between athletic competency and multi-sport participation
• The impact of access to athletic coaching on confidence and skill
• Challenges and misconceptions around youth strength and conditioning
• How to integrate athletic development into school curriculums and coaching practices
• The influence of social media and parental perceptions on youth sports choices
• Recognizing signs of overtraining and preventing athlete burnout
• The significance of physical recovery and understanding individual athlete readiness

Resources & Links:

International Youth Coaches Association (IYCA)

Follow Jim on Instagram @jimkielbaso

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Dwain Chambers shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a world-class sprinter, emphasizing the importance of discipline, mentorship, and resilience. He discusses his role in inspiring young athletes through his academy, focusing on personal growth and the joy of participation over winning. Dwain talks openly about the lowest moment of his career and how he now uses this to coach the kids in his academy.

Dwain Chambers, athletics, role model, inspiration, youth sports, discipline, resilience, mentorship, personal growth, sports academy

For more information about Mini Athletics visit www.miniathletics.com & be sure to follow us on Instagram @miniathletics

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In this episode of the Sports Parenting Playbook Podcast, Kirk Bowyer and stand in co-host Seb discuss with Linda Flanagan, author of 'Take Back the Game', the complexities of youth sports. They explore the pressures on young athletes, the financial and emotional costs of travel sports, and the importance of intrinsic motivation. Linda shares insights on how sports can be more inclusive and enjoyable for children, emphasizing the need for balance and the dangers of early specialization.

youth sports, travel sports, intrinsic motivation, early specialization, sports parenting

• Linda Flanagan discusses the impact of travel sports on families.
• The financial burden of youth sports is significant for many parents.
• Intrinsic motivation is crucial for long-term sports engagement.
• Early specialization in sports can lead to burnout and injuries.
• Linda advocates for a more inclusive approach to youth sports.
• The importance of free play in preventing injuries is highlighted.
• Norway's model of community-based sports is discussed as ideal.
• The role of parents in supporting but not pressuring children is emphasized.
• Linda shares insights on balancing sports and academics for children.
• The episode concludes with a call to rethink youth sports structures.

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In this Christmas special episode of The Sports Parenting Playbook hosts Ben Russell and Kirk Bowyer discuss their take on the latest Christmas presents being marketed for children (and adults) this Christmas.

What presents could benefit a sports enthusiast child? What presents could do more harm than good to the development of children looking to ENJOY a sport.

Christmas is all about family and friends and the quality time you can spend with them making memories unwrapping presents and playing together. Listen to this episode to see what could be a Christmas hit this year and what might not do so well.

To find out more about Mini Athletics visit www.miniathletics.com

Follow us on social media @miniathletics

The views and opinions in this episode are those of the hosts. They have in no way been paid to endorse a product.

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🎙️ Episode Spotlight: Jarren Duran & The Clubhouse

In this episode, hosts Kirk Bowyer and Ben Russell dive into the buzzworthy Netflix documentary The Clubhouse, which takes viewers behind the curtain of the Boston Red Sox clubhouse.

Their focus? Episode 4, featuring rising star Jarren Duran, who opens up about his journey through sport and baseball. From the pressures of performance to the powerful influence of his father, Duran’s story shines a light on what it really means to “get better” — and the expectations young athletes face both on and off the field.

This conversation is a must-listen for parents navigating the complex world of youth sports, offering insights into the delicate balance between encouragement and pressure, and the crucial role parents play in shaping a child’s sporting experience.

⚠️ Content note: This episode includes discussions around mental health, which some listeners may find triggering.

💡 If you’re enjoying the podcast, don’t forget to leave us a review — it helps us reach more listeners like you!

👉 Learn more about Mini Athletics at www.miniathletics.com.

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In this episode of The Sports Parenting Playbook, we sit down with Coach Ballgame (James Lowe)—a coach known for his infectious energy, creative approach, and deep love for baseball.

Together, we explore:

• ⚾ Engaging Coaching: How James brings fun, music, and personality to every practice and game.
• ❤️ Passion for Baseball: Why keeping the sport playful and accessible matters more than stats.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Sports Parenting Advice: Practical tips for parents to support their young athletes without pressure.
• 🌟 The Sandlot Tours Origin Story: The incredible moment when a stranger’s $20,000 donation sparked a nationwide movement.

Coach Ballgame’s journey is a reminder that sports are about joy, community, and lifelong memories—not just wins and losses.

• Follow Coach Ballgame on social media: @coachballgame
• Learn more about Mini Athletics: www.miniathletics.com
• Check out upcoming Sandlot Tour events near you: https://www.coachballgame.com/

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Kirk and Ben discuss how the kids cartoon Bluey inspires movement & they take on a FUN challenge which you can try at home. There are many episodes of Bluey that if watched with a different view point can inspire you to play and move with your kids.

Listen to the podcast on all your favourite podcast players and don't forget to follow Mini Athletics on Instagram and Facebook.

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Season 2- Episode 1- Building Confidence, Trying New Sports & Tackling Screen Time

In this episode of So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport, hosts Kirk Bowyer and Ben Russell dive into the importance of outdoor play, building confidence in children, and how to create positive sporting experiences for young people.

From overcoming the barriers that stop kids from trying new sports to understanding the impact of screen time on their development, Kirk and Ben share practical advice for parents, coaches, and anyone passionate about helping children enjoy being active.

The conversation also explores the growing popularity of paddle and pickleball, why the environment shapes kids’ enjoyment of sport, and how feedback from parents can improve sports programs and opportunities.

🎧 Highlights include:

• Why outdoor play builds skills, confidence, and resilience
• Overcoming barriers to trying new sports
• Screen time: balancing technology with active lifestyles
• The rise of paddle and pickleball as family-friendly sports
• Creating positive, pressure-free sporting environments
• How parent feedback can shape better sports programs

Packed with practical tips, real-life examples, and inspiring insights, this episode is all about helping kids build confidence, stay active, and develop a lifelong love for sport.

🌐 Learn more about Mini Athletics: Helping children build confidence, coordination, and a love of movement — www.miniathletics.com

📲 Follow us for more insights and updates:

Instagram & Facebook: @thegreatatsportpodcast

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and help us grow a community where positive youth sport thrives.

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

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Hosts: Ben Russell, Kirk Bowyer

Guest: Sean Patrick, Educator & Author of The Emotional Shoes

In this inspiring episode of So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport, Ben Russell and Kirk Bowyer are joined by Sean Patrick—educator, coach, and author of The Emotional Shoes. Drawing on his experiences in both coaching and physical education, Sean offers a thoughtful take on how to build emotional strength, movement skills, and a lasting love of sport in young people.

The conversation explores the crucial early role parents play in shaping a child’s sporting journey, and how expectations—when not aligned with a child's needs—can quickly turn passion into pressure. Sean shares his philosophy on the importance of teaching movement before sport-specific skills, the role of PE in building positive associations with activity, and how competition should be a tool for growth, not just a measure of success.

Together, the trio unpacks Sean’s "Three E’s of Coaching"—expectations, energy, and effort—and why these simple principles can change the way kids experience sport. They also dive into his book The Emotional Shoes, which aims to help young athletes navigate the emotional ups and downs that come with competitive environments.

Key Takeaways:

• A parent’s influence can shape a child’s love for sport
• Movement is the foundation of all athletic development
• PE should emphasize fun, inclusion, and engagement
• The “Three E’s” of coaching help build healthy environments
• Unrealistic expectations can push kids away from sport
• Emotional skills are as important as physical ones in youth sport
• Early coaching should prioritize movement literacy
• Teaching kids to compete for personal growth builds resilience
• Parental support should uplift, not pressure
• Sport should be a space for joy, learning, and lifelong habits

Mini Athletics: Help your child build confidence and coordination through our fun, inclusive programs. Learn more at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Get stories, advice, and episode highlights on Instagram and Facebook @thegreatatsportpodcast

Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review to help us grow a community where positive youth sport thrives.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode of So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport—where character, care, and creativity are always in play.

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.