The Sports Initiative Podcast

Stuart McClaren is the former Under 18's coach and Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC. He had also previously worked as 1st team coach with the Scottish Women's team and as part of the Scottish FAStuart McLaren's Coaching Journey - 0:48Stuart McLaren shares his coaching journey, starting with his player-manager role at the Brisbane Strikers in the old national soccer league in Australia. He then moved on to work in elite youth football programs, as an assistant at North Queensland Fury, and as head coach at Loughborough University. McLaren also managed Still and Albion in League One and had stints with the Under 16 men's national team and the Women's national team before joining Celtic as the under eighteens manager.Coaching Philosophy and Practice Alignment - 4:36Michael Wright and Stuart McLaren discuss coaching philosophy and practice alignment. Stuart emphasizes the importance of making a connection with players and aligning coaching practices with the game model. He also reflects on the evolution of his coaching methods and the spectrum of coaching practices, emphasizing the need to adapt to the players' needs and the art of coaching.The Pro License Journey - 9:13Michael Wright and Stuart McLaren delve into their experiences with coaching licenses, particularly the journey to the Pro license. McLaren details his progression through formal coach education in Australia and Scotland, noting the influence of UEFA and the emphasis on management topics in the Pro license course. He also reflects on the valuable insights gained from influential presenters such as Kevin Keegan and Brian Ashton.Reflections on Coaching and Learning -13:51Stuart McLaren and Michael Wright share their reflections on coaching and learning, discussing topics such as the unexpected experience of writing a book for coaching certification, the value of being challenged to reconsider preconceptions, and the differences in coaching approaches between generations and cultures, including the impact of communication styles and the evolution of coaching methods over time.Challenges in Player Development and Preparation -25:03Stuart delve into the complexities of preparing young players for the professional football environment, particularly at a club like Celtic. McLaren highlights the need to develop players not only in technical and tactical aspects but also in character and mental resilience to handle the pressures of the game. He also mentions the use of technology and individual feedback to facilitate communication and learning with players.Coaching Interventions and Staff Dynamics - 31:48Stuart delve into the significance of coaching interventions and staff dynamics, highlighting the evolution of coaching practices and the impact of age and experience on coaching styles. They also touch upon the role of mentorship and the diverse backgrounds of coaching staff in influencing player development.Context and Philosophy in Player Development 45:29Stuart McLaren and Michael Wright delve into the significance of context and philosophy in player development. McLaren shares insights from his time at Celtic and the Aspire Academy, emphasizing the need to prepare players for diverse playing styles and systems. Wright adds that understanding players' strengths and adapting within a framework can optimize performance.Reflections on Coaching Achievements and Impact - :54:56Stuart McLaren discusses the emotional aspect of coaching and shares proud moments from his coaching journey, highlighting the significance of acknowledging achievements. Michael Wright emphasizes the importance of recognizing positive moments in coaching and the self-reflective nature of the role, aiming to maintain a positive impact on players. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Dr Adam Kelly is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in Talent Identification and development. Formally and academy player and coach, he now focuses on supporting national governing bodies in their creation of talent development pathways.Show notes1:39 - Introduction to Dr Adam Kelly4:27 - What is talent development & performance vs potential6:50 - The use of performance markers as potential indicators8:45 - The challenges of competitions in potential development12:00 - Historical key identifiers of potential long term performance17:00- The challenges of psychology effecting performance when trying to identifying long term potential19:45 - How squash has organised it's development pathway in relation to RAE22:00 - The corrective time algorithm in athletics27:00- How RAE schemes often miss out grassroot players31:00 - The framing of player across and how Harry Maguire and John Stones has different experiences33:30 - Research into position and decision making game based simulations35:00 - Perceptual cognitive skill testing 37:00 - The use of VR in player assessment41:00 - What would A grade academy development programme look like?49:00 - The effects of the EPP on football in the UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greame Mathie is the Managing Director of Ayr United and formally worked for Hibernian and Celtic.Introduction and Overview of Managing Director's Role - 1:31Michael and Graeme discuss the balance between on-pitch performance and off-pitch factors such as fan engagement and business operations. Graeme emphasizes the importance of team performance in driving revenue and fan engagement, but also acknowledges the need to focus on other aspects of the business when the team is not performing well.Building a Vision for the Football Club - 6:55Graeme Mathie shares his experience of working with the owner of a football club to build a sustainable and successful organization. He talks about the challenges of recruiting a manager without a clear vision or job description in place. Michael Wright asks about the process of getting everyone on board with the club's values and vision.Establishing Core Values and Accountability - 11:24Graeme Mathie explains how they established core values for the club, including unity, and how they involved staff in the process. Michael Wright asks about accountability and how to ensure that the values are being lived out, and Graeme shares some challenges they have faced in this area, including the need for conflict and the difficulty of getting everyone on board.Importance of High Challenge and Honest Relationships in Leadership - 18:38Graeme Mathie and Michael Wright discuss the challenges of leadership in the sports industry, including high turnover rates and the pressure to make every decision count. They highlight the importance of building honest relationships and embracing high challenge, as well as holding each other accountable for taking action to improve.Developing a Culture of Innovation and Accountability - 26:36Graeme Mathie shares his vision for the club, drawing inspiration from successful English Premier League teams like Brighton and Brentford. He discusses the need to outthink, outwork, and make better use of resources than other clubs at their level. Mathie also emphasizes the importance of player development plans and creating a positive team environment.Recruitment Process and Soft Skills in Sports Industry - 34:35Graeme Mathie and Michael Wright discuss the importance of understanding the psychology and relationships of coaches and players in the sports industry. They also talk about the need for a plan to bring in the right people to build the right dynamic for the team to flourish.Graeme Mathie and Michael Wright discuss the recruitment process for football managers, including the importance of identifying key performance indicators and personal characteristics. They also touch on the challenges of considering fan engagement and creating a narrative around the hiring process. - 42:00Graeme Mathie on Leadership and Self-Reflection - 53:15Michael Wright interviews Graeme Mathie about his leadership style and how he is perceived by his colleagues. Mathie hopes to be seen as a collaborative leader with good ideas and honesty, but recognizes that he may also be seen as high energy and asking too many questions. The conversation also touches on the changing nature of work environments and the importance of self-reflection.Discussion on the Importance of Winning Games and Style of Football 56::24Graeme Mathie shares his thoughts on the importance of winning games and the style of football played by a team. He suggests that managers should communicate their priorities to their employers and focus on generating revenue from player trades if they want to bring through young players and play a certain style of football. Michael Wright agrees with Graeme's points. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Mannion is a Strength and Conditioning coach and Premiership Rugby Club Sale Sharks. Previously he has worked for Gloucester Rugby and Rugby League side Wigan Warriors.Show notes:Developing Successful Academy Programs - 1:31Kevin Mannion shares insights on what made the Wigan period successful, including the players' understanding of the responsibility of playing for Wigan and the presence of leaders like Andy Farrell and Chris Identy. He emphasizes the importance of creating a cultural underpinning of young local players playing for their home team, which generates a sense of pride from the fans. Michael Wright adds to the discussion by highlighting the importance of players wanting to be part of the group and how it translates to the pitch and the fans.Characteristics of Players in Rugby Union = 11:15Kevin Mannion and Michael Wright discuss the characteristics required for players in rugby union, including the need for robustness and adaptability. Mannion explains how the program is designed to cater to the diverse characteristics of players, with different programs for front five and back rolls and backs. He emphasizes the importance of functional weight and creating a suit of armor rather than just adding weight for weight's sake.Managing Player Progression and Loans - 21:41Kevin and Michael discuss the loan system in rugby and how it can be used to develop players. They talk about the importance of timing and ensuring that players are physically and mentally ready for the demands of the game at different levels. They also discuss the challenges of managing the progression and pathway of young players, including the need to balance the needs of the first team with the development of young players.Player Preparation and Robustness 30:13Kevin and Michael discuss the importance of player preparation during the season, with Kevin emphasizing the need for recovery and freshness for games. They also discuss how to prepare players to be more robust, with Kevin mentioning a blend of touch, grab, and shoulders on training with physio-led gym prep. Kevin also mentions that every player has individual Boltons based on screening, and that they try to fit in three different elements of preparation within the week.Importance of Pre-Game Preparation and Natural Consequences - 34:23Michael and Kevin emphasize the importance of pre-game preparation and how it can affect a player's performance and opportunities. They discuss how natural consequences can motivate players to do the necessary work and how injuries can be a result of not doing the work. They also mention the challenges of working with cross organizations to ensure players are able to peak and perform at the right times.Overview of the Academy Schedule and Player Management- 43:41Kevin Mannion explains the academy schedule and player management, including the different pathways for under 16s and the importance of managing player fatigue. He also discusses the interaction between the academy and school systems and the need to ensure players have the best experiences to promote themselves. The academy also manages high potential players, known as England Academy players, with different interactions and considerations around their playing time.Maximizing Point of Difference - 55:10Kevin and Michael explore the concept of point of difference in athletes and how to help them embrace and improve it. They discuss the importance of identifying specific skills and techniques for different positions in football and how to manage training to maximize performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Cresci is the Hitting Coach for the Houston Astro. Focusing on the development pathway, Andrew's role is to develop players ball striking ability with the aim of them having success ready for Major League progression.Michael Wright and Andrew Cresci had a wide-ranging conversation covering various topics related to sports coaching and player development. The conversation also touched on the evaluation process for baseball talent and development, including the challenges of identifying talent in different competition levels and the importance of player development. They discussed the differences between scouting in the United States and internationally, as well as the strategies used by different organizations to identify and develop talent. They also explored the challenges and pitfalls of youth development in sports, particularly in baseball and football, and advocated for a shift in priorities towards the development of well-rounded individuals who enjoy sports for the sake of the experience.Michael and Andrew also delved into the topic of what makes a good hitter, discussing the importance of output ceiling, bat-ball skills, and decision-making. They explored the challenges of measuring these skills and emphasized the importance of finding good coaches who have the interest of the children at heart and can help players develop their skills to reach their potential. Finally, they discussed the role of data in baseball coaching, particularly in player development, and the importance of focusing on the process and identifying areas of improvement, rather than just the outcome.Show notesEvaluating Baseball Talent and DevelopmentAndrew Cresci, a minor league coach for the Houston Astros, explains the evaluation process for baseball talent and development, including scouting, player projection, and the challenges of identifying talent in different competition levels. He also discusses the importance of player development and the success of the Houston Astros in scouting and player development.Youth Development in SportsAndrew Cresci and Michael Wright discuss the issue of youth development in sports, particularly in the United States and Europe. They agree that the focus should be on positive experiences and skill development rather than the unrealistic goal of becoming a professional athlete. They also discuss the challenges of pay-to-play models and the vested interests of some academies.Characteristics of a Good Hitter and Measuring Them:Michael and Andrew delve into the specifics of what makes a good hitter, including the importance of output ceiling, bat-ball skills, and decision-making. They also touch on the challenges of measuring these skills and how they vary depending on the environment and competition level, with baseball being a reactive sport.Using Data in Baseball CoachingMichael Wright and Andrew Cresci discuss the challenges of using data in baseball coaching, including the need to balance data-driven models with real-life player development. They explore how coaches can use data to identify weaknesses in players and create personalized programs to help them improve. They also discuss the importance of communication and minimizing the difficulty of the task at hand for players.Understanding Success in Baseball MetricsAndrew Cresci emphasizes the importance of understanding success beyond just box score stats and how metrics can help players and coaches identify areas of improvement. He also discusses the role of luck and randomness in baseball and how it can affect a player's success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Garcia is a coach and coach educator in the US. He undertook his formal training as part of the Spanish F.AShow notesDavid Garcia's Journey to a New Perspective on Football CoachingDavid Garcia's journey to a new perspective on football coaching began when he moved to Spain to pursue his Uefa licensing. He was struck by the way players were treated with more respect for their intelligence of the game and the more holistic approach to training. Through his blog and coaching career, he has developed a new perspective that emphasizes the link between technical and tactical aspects of the game, which he learned through his Uefa courses in Spain.Understanding the Connection between Game Situations and Technical SkillsDavid Garcia suggests that coaches should focus on understanding game situations and intentions when developing technical skills in players. By observing how players solve problems in game situations, coaches can provide opportunities for them to improve their skills accordingly. Garcia also recommends asking players about their intentions in certain situations to differentiate between poor decision making and poor technique.Integrating Tactical Challenges into TrainingMichael asks David how to create training drills that incorporate tactical challenges while still maintaining the integrity of the technique. David acknowledges the difficulty of recreating game situations in training but suggests using small-sided games and variable practice to simulate game-like scenarios.Designing Training ActivitiesDavid Garcia describes his approach to designing training activities, which involves creating specific game situations and manipulating various constraints to encourage certain player interactions and combinations. He emphasizes the importance of starting with a clear goal and working backwards to create the necessary conditions for that goal to be achieved. Garcia also notes that he is often surprised by the creative solutions that players come up with during these activities.The Spanish Football Culture and Emphasis on Player-Ball RelationshipDavid Garcia shares his surprise at the emphasis on player and ball relationship in Spanish football. He notes that there are many games focused on maintaining possession and manipulating the ball, even in tight spaces. This is emphasized in training sessions, where protecting the ball as an individual is heavily emphasized.Analyzing Patterns and Decision Making in FootballDavid explains how he notices patterns in players' tendencies and decision making by observing games and players. He discusses how this process sparks curiosity and leads to asking new questions to find theories and solutions. Michael adds that this analytical skill is important for coaches to win games and suggests training oneself to get better at it.Improving Attention and Learning through ConsequencesDavid Garcia emphasizes the importance of attention in coaching and how it can be improved through setting goals and consequences. He also discusses the role of accountability and responsibility in developing players' attention and problem-solving skills. Michael Wright adds to the conversation by discussing the use of AI in football and the importance of players being able to react in the moment.Attention and Tactical AnalysisMichael and David discuss the importance of attention in coaching and tactical analysis, and how it can affect the outcome of a game. They also talk about the need for intentional and voluntary attention, and how it can help coaches notice patterns and solve problems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Whitmore is a Cricket coach at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. In this episode they discussed the importance of core principles in coaching and the success of Leicestershire's pathway program. Dave also talked about the challenges of developing high potential players in cricket and the importance of managing players through uncomfortable situations.Dave and Michael then discussed the challenges of training for cricket in wet weather countries like England and the advantages of playing in sunny countries like Australia and India. They also talked about the importance of coaching young players and helping them understand what good looks like in the absence of regular games. The conversation then shifted to the importance of player analysis in cricket and the strategies involved in player development and captaincy.Michael then interviewed Dave about his coaching philosophy and how he works with players and staff members. Dave emphasized the importance of building relationships with players and having their best interests at heart. Michael and Dave then had a conversation about the challenges and opportunities in coaching cricket, including the impact of weather on the game and the differences between indoor and outdoor play. They also discussed the importance of game time and the role of the captain in developing players' tactical skills.Finally, Michael and Dave discussed the challenges of implementing a new playing style in the academy and how it will affect the different age groups. They also talked about the importance of developing skills rather than just focusing on a specific playing style. They discussed the different coaching styles that have been implemented in Southampton and how it has affected the team's performance. They also talked about the importance of preparing players for different playing styles and positions to ensure they are ready for any changes in coaching staff or playing style.Cricket Coaching and Pathways - 6:25Developing High Potential Players - 20:27Player development and exposure to different positionsChallenges of Cricket Training in Wet Weather Countries - 34:10Challenges of training and development in a wet weather country like England Challenges in Coaching and Player Development - 41:24Player Profiles and Analysis - 44:59Strategies for Player Development and Captaincy in Cricket - 53:18Dave Whitmore's Coaching Philosophy - 59:37 Challenges and Opportunities in Cricket Coaching - 1:01:25Challenges of weather in cricketIndoor cricket vs outdoor cricketSharing work and ideas across sportsDiscussion on implementing a new playing style in the academy - 1:06:11Managing Game Loads and Challenges - 1:11:10 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Costello is the Head of Rugby Operations at Munster Rugby. Previous to this he also worked at Wasps and Nottingham. Ian Costello shares his experiences and responsibilities as head of Rugby operations at Monster Rugby, focusing on strategic decision-making around player development, systems, recruitment, retention, culture, and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of coaching quality and alignment of values and beliefs in player development, and the club's clear game model and technical direction. Michael Wright asks about the club's methodology and process for pulling together game models and ideas, and how the club's values and beliefs are aligned and coherent within a certain bandwidth.Ian Costello and Michael Wright discuss the process of developing and implementing a game model for the Irish Rugby Union, including identifying areas for improvement, building buy-in, and shifting the emphasis and focus of training. They also discuss the importance of external feedback and talent identification in the process, as well as the need to change perceptions of the monster pathway and prepare players for the intensity of national camp. The success of the program is reflected in the high number of players progressing to the top level, and the club continues to evolve and improve its programs based on feedback and data.Introduction and Setting the Agenda - 7:17Ian Costello's Role and Monster Rugby's Strategy - 9:55Developing a Clear Model and Framework for Rugby Development - 13:38Fostering competitiveness and a strong work ethicDeveloping and Implementing a Game Model - 23:02Factors Influencing Talent Selection - 31:22Developing a Framework for Talent Assessment - 34:31Creating a clear game model and frameworkManaging player selection and deselectionFostering Competitiveness and Team Preparation - 44:39Talent Identification and Pathway Design - 49:43Talent identification and developmentTalent Development and Player Evaluation - 57:29 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Thompson is a lecturer at Sheffield Hallan University and high performance S+C coach at a number of National Governing Bodies. He specialises in Velocity Base Training in supporting athletic development.Show notes:Introduction and Discussion of Work Roles - 0:56Introduction and Technical Details - 7:41Introduction to Velocity Based Training (VBT) - 13:45Velocity Based Training (VBT)Understanding Velocity-Based Training - 16:35Using VBT as a Tool for Confident Decision Making - 25:57Low Velocity Profiling and Individualized Training - 31:36Individualized training and profilingThe Benefits of Technology and Research in Coaching - 40:51The Benefits of Velocity-Based Training (VBT) and Creating a Competitive Gym Environment - 43:23Benefits of VBT in athlete developmentThe Future of Snc and Technology - 50:56Use of technology in S&C coachingInterview with Steve Thompson on Strength and Conditioning Coaching -53:17 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.