Episode 374 – Richard Cheetham | Rethinking Coach Development, Partnership Learning & Human-Centred Coaching

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Richard Cheetham MBE, Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester and one of the most respected voices in coach development across the UK.

Richard brings decades of experience working across multiple sports — from cycling to rugby to high-performance environments — and offers a refreshingly human, reflective, and deeply practical look at what coach development reallyis (and what it isn’t).

From partnership learning to creating environments where coaches can truly flourish, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humility, and powerful real-world insight.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Richard’s journey into coach development and why working across sports shaped his philosophy.
• Why coach development is a partnership, not a transaction.
• How assumptions about how people should learn can limit growth.
• The importance of curiosity, feedback, and co-designing the learning process.
• Why great coaches need different environments — and how to identify what helps someone “come alive.”
• How to challenge coaches without overwhelming them (“not sunshine, unicorns, and chocolate cake”).
• The importance of doing the prep work before coach interactions — understanding individuals, values, and learning preferences.
• Why reflection is an active skill, not a passive diary entry.
• What Richard has learned from working with elite groups like the Royal Navy rugby team.
• What actually works in coach development — and why we still don’t ask this question enough.

🧠 “If you want people to flourish, you can’t assume they’ll flourish under your conditions.” – Richard Cheetham

📣 Whether you’re a new coach, an experienced mentor, or leading coach development programmes, this episode gives you a fresh way to think about learning, interaction, and what it means to truly support coaches.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 What environment brings you alive as a coach? And how do you help others find theirs?

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-coaches-network-podcast/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy