Women’s Football Hub

By womensfootballhub8

A podcast about performance in women’s football. We cover any topic that impacts on performance, health and wellbeing of female athletes including sports medicine, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, sp... more

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FAQs about Women’s Football Hub:

How many episodes does Women’s Football Hub have?

The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.

Women’s Football Hub episodes:

April 15, 2025Mental health toolkit release with Mark McGuigan
Episode Description / Show Notes:
In this special episode of Women's Football Hub, host Carolyn Kent welcomes back Mark McGuigan, a mental health occupational therapist and founder of Willow Grove Consulting, after our launch of the Mental Health and Recovery Toolkit — a free resource designed for athletes at every level.
Together, they explore the why behind the project and the how behind using simple but effective tools to manage mental health challenges in sport — from pre-match nerves to post-game disappointment.
🛠️ The toolkit includes four short audio/video resources:
Dealing with Emotions
Dealing with Negative Thoughts
Guided Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Dealing with Poor Performance
Whether you're a player, coach, or part of the support team, this episode offers insight into managing anxiety, increasing emotional regulation, and enhancing recovery.
📲 All tools are available in podcast and video format on the Women's Football Hub YouTube channel and podcast feed.
👥 Guest Bio: Mark McGuigan
Mark is a registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist with over 15 years' experience across secure services, inpatient wards, and community mental health. Through Willow Grove Consulting, he works directly with elite and grassroots athletes to support their mental health, performance, and recovery.
🧠 Key Topics:
The link between mental health and performance
Managing anxiety and panic in high-pressure situations
What is the “window of tolerance”?
Using breathing and grounding techniques for performance and wellbeing
When to use proactive vs. reactive tools
Why normalising mental health conversations matters in football
📌 Links & Resources:
🔗 Watch the Toolkit on YouTube: [Insert YouTube link]
🎧 Listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: [Insert podcast feed link]
🌐 Follow Mark McGuigan: @WGCmentalhealth | www.willowgrove.consulting
🗣️ Connect with Us:
Follow us on social media for more tools, episodes, and updates:
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @womens.football.hub
🐦 X (Twitter): @_WFootballhub
📘 Facebook | 🧵 Threads | 🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 womensfootballhub.com
...more
25min
April 15, 2025 Guided progressive muscle relaxation
Episode Summary:
Feeling tense? Need to switch off after a match or long day?
This calming session, led by Occupational Therapist Mark McGuigan, guides you through a full-body Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) to help release stress and support recovery.
It’s perfect for use before bed, during injury rehab, or any time your body feels tight and your mind won’t slow down.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to connect mind and body through muscle awareness
✅ A step-by-step guide to progressive relaxation
✅ When and how to use PMR in your routine
✅ How to activate your parasympathetic nervous system for recovery
Who It’s For:
Ideal for footballers, coaches, and athletes dealing with physical tension, match-day nerves, or stress-related fatigue. Use it as part of your self-care or recovery toolkit.
Resources:
📺 Watch the video version on YouTube
🎧 Explore the rest of the Mental Health and Recovery Toolkit
🌐 Visit Women’s Football Hub and Willow Grove Consultants for more tools
🗣️ “This is your moment to breathe, reset, and let go.”
#ProgressiveMuscleRelaxation #AthleteRecovery #MentalHealthToolkit #FootballWellbeing #PMRForAthletes #WomenInSport #WillowGroveConsultants #WomensFootballHub #ResetReflectRecharge #RelaxationInSport
...more
7min
April 15, 2025 Dealing with emotions
Episode Summary:
Emotions are part of football — but sometimes they can feel overwhelming or out of control. In this episode, Occupational Therapist Mark McGuigan offers a calming and reflective tool to help you make space for difficult emotions without letting them take over.
Designed for players and coaches alike, this short session helps you understand and regulate emotional responses in high-pressure moments.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ That emotions are valid — even the uncomfortable ones
✅ A simple strategy to process feelings without judgement
✅ A moment of calm when you need it most
Who It’s For:
Ideal for footballers navigating high-pressure games, emotional injury recovery, or off-pitch challenges. Also useful for coaches wanting to support their players’ emotional wellbeing.
Resources:
📺 Watch the video version on YouTube
🎧 Listen to more Mental Health and Recovery Toolkit episodes
🌐 Visit Women’s Football Hub or Willow Grove Consultants for more support
🗣️ “You don’t have to ignore your emotions. You just need tools to sit with them.”
#MentalHealthToolkit #EmotionalRegulation #MentalWellbeing #WomensFootball #AthleteSupport #ResetReflectRecharge #SportPsychology #WillowGroveConsultants #WomensFootballHub #PlayerMentalHealth
...more
5min
April 15, 2025 Dealing with negative thoughts
Episode Summary:
In this focused session, Occupational Therapist Mark McGuigan offers a grounding reflection to help players recognise and interrupt negative thoughts.
Whether it’s self-doubt, overthinking, or inner criticism, this tool guides you to pause, shift perspective, and take back control of your mindset.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why negative thoughts are normal — and what to do with them
✅ A simple reframing strategy to stop spirals
✅ How to respond with self-awareness, not judgement
✅ A quick mental tool to reset in the moment
Who It’s For:
Perfect for footballers, coaches, and support staff looking to build mental resilience and reduce the noise of inner criticism — before, during, or after matches.
Resources:
📺 Watch this episode on YouTube
🎧 Explore more from the Mental Health and Recovery Toolkit
🌐 Connect with Women’s Football Hub and Willow Grove Consultants
🗣️ “You’re allowed to have negative thoughts”
#MentalHealthToolkit #DealingWithNegativeThoughts #AthleteMindset #PlayerSupport #ResetReflectRecharge #SportPsychology #WomensFootballHub #WillowGroveConsultants #FootballWellbeing #AthleteMentalHealth
...more
4min
April 15, 2025 Dealing with poor performance
Episode Summary:
In this short, reflective episode, Occupational Therapist Mark McGuigan offers a powerful mindset reset for players who are struggling after a poor performance.
Whether you’ve had a tough match, made a mistake, or are feeling overwhelmed by expectations, this tool helps you let go, learn, and move forward with self-compassion and control.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to separate who you are from how you performed
✅ A simple mental reframe to stop negative spirals
✅ Tools to build emotional resilience after tough moments
✅ A reminder that one game doesn’t define your worth
Who It’s For:
This episode is for any footballer, coach, or athlete who’s ever walked off the pitch feeling defeated — and wants to learn how to bounce back stronger.
Resources:
📺 Watch this episode on YouTube
🎧 Listen to the full Toolkit series
🌐 Learn more about Women’s Football Hub and Willow Grove Consultants
🗣️ “You are more than your last performance. This is just one moment in your journey.”
#MentalHealthInFootball #PerformanceRecovery #DealingWithMistakes #PlayerSupport #MindsetReset #WomensFootballHub #WillowGroveConsultants #AthleteWellbeing #SportPsychology #ResetReflectRecharge
...more
5min
April 11, 2025 #036 Athletic development series - Myth busting the gym environment for female athletes with Sarah Payne
Podcast Title: Women's Football Hub
Episode Title: Strength Training Myths & Realities in Women's Football with Sarah Payne
🎙️ Episode Summary:
In this episode of Women's Football Hub, host Carolyn Kent speaks with Sarah Payne, a strength and conditioning coach specialising in women's and girls' team sports. Sarah, founder of The Human First Method and a player for Stevenage FC, shares her journey back to the pitch after a long injury and discusses the crucial role of strength training in football.
💪 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why strength training won’t make female footballers “bulky” or “slow”
✅ How strength training can actually improve speed, agility, and injury prevention
✅ Busting myths about strength training during the season and recovery strategies
✅ The importance of progressive overload and smart training for performance gains
✅ How young athletes can feel more confident in the gym
🔗 Resources & Connect with Sarah:
📌 Follow Sarah on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn – @HumanFirstMethod
📌 Learn more about The Human First Method
👀 Follow & Subscribe:
Don’t forget to subscribe to Women's Football Hub for more expert insights on women’s football performance, training, and injury prevention!
📢 Join the Conversation!
What’s the biggest strength training myth you've heard? Share your thoughts with us on social media!
...more
32min
April 04, 2025 #035 Sports medicine/physio series - Concussion rehabilitation with Dr Julia Treleaven
Episode Title: Concussion Rehabilitation with Dr. Julia Treleaven
🎙 Host: Carolyn Kent
🎙 Guest: Dr. Julia Treleaven, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists
🔹 Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Women's Football Hub podcast, host Carolyn Kent speaks with Dr. Julia Treleaven, a leading researcher in neck dysfunction, post-concussion rehabilitation, and sensory motor control. With over 150 publications and extensive clinical experience, Dr. Treleaven provides expert insights into concussion rehabilitation, return-to-play protocols, and long-term brain health in athletes.
🔹Key Topics Discussed:
✅ What happens during a concussion – beyond a direct blow to the head
✅ The key signs and symptoms players, coaches, and clinicians should watch for
✅ Differences in concussion response between male and female athletes
✅ Why complete rest in a dark room is outdated advice
✅ The role of aerobic exercise in early recovery
✅ How the neck, vestibular, and visual systems influence symptoms
✅ The rehabilitation process – screening, treatment, and return to play
✅ The link between concussion and musculoskeletal injuries like ACL tears
✅ The importance of multidisciplinary care in concussion management
✅ The latest research on long-term concussion risks
🔹 Key Takeaways for Clinicians & Coaches:
💡 “If in doubt, sit them out.” – When unsure about a concussion, always prioritise safety
💡 Rehab is essential – Concussion is a rehabilitative injury, not just a rest-and-recover issue
💡 The neck matters! – Strength, proprioception, and coordination play a huge role in reducing concussion risk
💡 Multiple concussions increase risk – Time between injuries matters, and rehabilitation must be thorough
💡 Check for subtle impairments – Even when symptoms resolve, reaction time, balance, and vision may still be affected
🔹 Resources Mentioned:
📌 Parachute Canada – Concussion guidelines for youth athletes https://parachute.ca
📌 Headway UK – Brain injury and concussion resources https://www.headway.org.uk
📌 FIFA Concussion Guidelines – Latest protocols for footballers https://inside.fifa.com/campaigns/concussion
🔹 Connect with Dr. Julia Treleaven:
🐦 Twitter/X: @JuliaTreleaven
🌍 University Profile: University of Queensland
🔹 Subscribe & Follow Women's Football Hub:
🌐 Website: www.womensfootballhub.com
...more
27min
March 28, 2025 #034 Psychology series - Dr Tracy Donachie Perfectionism & Overthinking in female footballers
🎙️ WFH Podcast: Perfectionism in Football with Dr Tracy Donachie
📢 Episode Summary
In this episode of the Women's Football Hub podcast, host Dr Ian Cookson speaks with Dr Tracy Donachie from Newcastle University about perfectionism and overthinking in football. As a former footballer and sport psychologist, Dr Donachie shares insights into how perfectionism affects players' mental well-being, performance, and resilience.
⚽ Key Topics Discussed:
✅ Dr Donachie’s football and academic journey, from playing in the US to researching perfectionism
✅ The three types of perfectionism and their impact on footballers
✅ How overthinking and perfectionism contribute to anxiety, self-criticism, and performance pressure
✅ The role of coaches and parents in shaping perfectionistic environments
✅ Practical strategies for players to manage perfectionism and focus on progress rather than perfection
🎧 Why Listen?
If you're a player, coach, or parent, this episode is packed with valuable advice on tackling self-doubt, fear of mistakes, and high-pressure expectations in football. Dr Donachie offers research-backed techniques to help athletes build confidence and resilience.
#WFHPodcast #WomensFootball #Perfectionism #FootballPsychology #MindsetMatters
...more
35min
March 21, 2025 #033 Emerging PhD research Emma Sconce - Hamstring injuries
Women's Football Hub Podcast – MSK Physiotherapy Series
🎙 Episode Title: Emerging PhD Research on Hamstring Injury & Function
👩‍⚕️ Guest: Emma Sconce, Researcher & Former Footballer
🎧 Host: Carolyn Kent
Episode Summary
In this episode, Carolyn Kent sits down with Emma Sconce, a former footballer turned researcher, who has just completed her PhD at Sheffield Hallam University focusing on hamstring injuries and function in footballers. Emma shares insights from her journey as a player, her transition into teaching and research, and her mission to reduce injury risks in athletes.
Key Topics Discussed
✅ Emma’s Journey in Football: From playing in the UK to experiencing the highly physical style of the U.S. game.
✅ Hamstring Injuries in Football: Why they are so common and the impact on performance.
✅ The Rise in Hamstring Injuries: How increased workload and game frequency may be contributing to injury rates.
✅ Predicting & Preventing Injuries: Emma’s PhD research into the Nordic hamstring exercise and breakpoint angles.
✅ Introducing HAL-HAM: A new device and system designed to measure hamstring function and reduce injuries.
✅ Practical Injury Prevention Tips: What players and coaches need to do to protect against hamstring injuries.
Key Takeaways
⚽ Female players are at increasing risk of hamstring injuries – with research showing up to 12% of all football injuries involve the hamstrings.
💡 Recovery is challenging due to scar tissue and muscle weakness, increasing reinjury risk.
🦵 The Nordic hamstring exercise can reduce injury risk by up to 51% – but compliance remains an issue.
📊 Emma’s research aims to bridge the gap between science and real-world injury prevention through the HAL-HAM system.
Resources & Further Reading
📖 Read Emma’s latest research on hamstring injury prevention.
🔗 Follow Emma on LinkedIn & X for research updates.
🎧 Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
📢 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts using #WFHPodcast #WomensFootball #InjuryPrevention
...more
31min
March 14, 2025 #032 MSK Physiotherapy Series - Angela Jackson - Youth Injuries in Sport
🎙️ WFH Podcast: Youth Injuries in Women’s Football with Angela Jackson
Episode Overview
In this episode of Women’s Football Hub Podcast, host Carolyn Kent sits down with Angela Jackson, a consultant physiotherapist and strength & conditioning expert, to dive into one of the most crucial topics in youth football—injuries in young female players.
From growth-related injuries to training loads and injury prevention, Angela shares must-know insights for coaches, parents, and players. Whether you're working with a youth team or just passionate about the game, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
⚽ How growth & maturation affect young female players
🚑 Common injuries in girls vs. boys & why they happen
🏃‍♀️ The dangers of early specialization & high training loads
👀 Key injury warning signs for parents & coaches
🩺 Why traditional injury advice (like “just rest”) may not work
📊 How to modify training & keep young athletes playing safely
Key Quotes from Angela Jackson
💬 “Growth is part of the game, and it creates a dynamic challenge in youth sports. We can’t stop it, but we can manage it.”
💬 “Too much too soon is the biggest risk factor for injuries in young athletes.”
💬 “Losing a period is NEVER normal for a young female athlete. It’s a sign something is wrong.”
Resources & Links
🔗 Visit Angela’s website: https://kidsback2sport.com/
📖 Download free injury guides: https://kidsback2sport.com/resources/
📢 Follow Women’s Football Hub for more insights: IG @womens.football.hub
...more
35min

FAQs about Women’s Football Hub:

How many episodes does Women’s Football Hub have?

The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.