The Athlete Development Show

My guest today is Associate Professor Ian Renshaw, teacher, coach, researcher, and voracious learner. Over 35 years working in higher education, Ian has advised sporting organisations at the community and high performance level, published over 190 research articles, written several books, and collaborated on projects all over the world. In this conversation, we trace Ian’s fascinating journey from schoolboy in the UK to working and raising children in New Zealand and Australia. Ian shares stories of engagement, motivation, optimism and development to help us create better learning environments for the young people we serve. Enjoy!  Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletter Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.   Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

My guest today is Dr Martin Buchheit, an esteemed author of over 250 scientific papers, 2 best-selling books, co-founder of the HIIT Science podcast, and over 20 years working in professional sports. Focusing on bridging the gap between sports science knowledge and its practical application, Martin has held roles at Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Olympique de Lyon, Lille OSC, Aspetar, Aspire Academy, and various other consultancies around the world.In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore Martin’s educated perspective on development, including how he applies what he believes with his own kids. This is a conversation less about the science of development and more about philosophy. I loved it for how Martin distils a very complex world into what really matters for raising young people who know their worth and have the skills to go after what they want. Sit back and enjoy the wisdom of one of the best. Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at drcraigharrison.comGet Craig to speak at your club or school here.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

This conversation is with Dr David Johnson, a physical development specialist with a deep understanding of growth and development. His research in injury prevention has shown what’s possible in football when the natural changes every young athlete experiences are accounted for. As the Head of Physical Development at West Ham United Football Academy and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bath, David continues to be a leader in this field. Today, we explore David’s research, including the questions he asked, what he found and how he integrated his findings into practice. We discuss how you can measure growth regardless of the resource you have available, the 4 key risk factors of injury, and how you can effectively intervene to protect your athletes. We also discuss David’s current project where he’s taking the scientific process he learnt studying for his PhD and applying it to nutrition. If you work with athletes navigating accreted growth and would like to know more about preventing physical injury, this conversation is a must-listen. Enjoy!  Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletter Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.   Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

Are you looking for deeper, more impactful development? The answer is strategic simplicity.  My guest today is Dr Richard Young, keynote speaker, author, and adviser to sports leaders, teams, and professionals around the world. He has won international gold medals in cycling, coached world champions, created medal-winning programmes for three countries, and has been described as a ‘world-class performance creator’.Born in the UK, raised in Canada, and now living with his four children in Dunedin, New Zealand, Richard earned his PhD in engineering and medical science and has studied the key differences between what athletes and their teams do who win medals and those who don’t.In this conversation, Richard shares his system for turning potential into performance, starting with an idea he calls the ‘busy middle’.---Join 1000's of subscribers and sign up for Craig's newsletter, Beyond the Game, now. Learn more about how Craig can help you better understand your developing athletes to unlock their potential HERE.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

On the show this week, Dave Wright rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. Our conversation focuses on another successful season for Dave coaching the Westlake Boys 1st XI and how he managed huge playing loads, the need for individualising support, how to build trust, markers of fatigue, the rise of specialisation in the NZ sporting system and what this means for player development, how to coach for confidence over competence, and more.  If you enjoy today’s chat, please do me a massive favour and support the show by sharing it with your mates.Enjoy! Join 1000's of subscribers and sign up for Craig's newsletter, Beyond the Game, now. Learn more about how Craig can help you better understand your developing athletes to unlock their potential HERE.   Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

This conversation is with Assistant Professor in Sport Psychology at the University of Bern in Switzerland, Dr Noora Ronkainen. Noora’s work centres on meaningful experiences in sport, exercise and physical cultures.  In this episode, we dive into the concept of existential learning. Noora defines the idea for us and shares some research highlighting how reflecting on setbacks in sport can lead to personal growth. We also discuss: The current pressures on young athletes The role of identity in sport;How technology can shape future aspirations;Gender differences in role models;Why young athletes leave sports; andThe power of sport for learning about yourself, your values, and your relationships.Enjoy! Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletter Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.   Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

Brendan Cropley is a Professor of Sport Coaching and an expert in psychology and coach education. He dives into the importance of aligning coaching values with the developmental needs of young athletes, stressing the role of life skills alongside performance. The conversation covers the transformative shift from joy to pressure in youth sports and the necessity of creating supportive coaching environments. Brendan emphasizes reflective practices and integrating psychological development into training, promoting empathy and open communication for holistic athlete growth.

Russell 'Rusty' Earnshaw, a seasoned coach developer at the Magic Academy, shares his insights on the delicate balance of authenticity and professionalism. He delves into the importance of playfulness in coaching and innovative wellness experiments for personal growth. The conversation highlights the evolving role of psychology in sports and the need for fresh, engaging coaching strategies. Rusty also unpacks the hidden struggles of athletes and stresses the significance of nurturing coaching environments that inspire both enjoyment and performance.

Dr John Radnor works in Wales at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he is a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning, the Programme Lead for their Masters in Youth Athletic Development, and the Research and Innovation Lead for their Youth Physical Development Centre. In 2023, John was awarded the Youth Strength and Conditioning Coach of the year award from the UKSCA. Over his 15 years as a coach, he has worked with many sports, including football, rugby, and rowing. John is currently using his research in talent identification and development to assist in the structures of academy pathways.In this chat, we dig into John’s coaching philosophy, what he believes every youth strength and conditioning coach needs to know to deliver a developmentally appropriate experience, his current focus of research, and much more.   If you enjoy the chat, please support the show by sharing it with your mates. Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

Dr Suzanne Brown is a Clinical Psychologist and Emotional Fitness Consultant. With over 15 years of experience, including time as Lead Psychologist for Sunderland Football Club in the UK, she has pioneered a new way of working that bridges clinical psychology with elite performance.Suzanne studied at the University of Birmingham, earning her undergrad and Master's degrees with top honours, and she completed her Doctorate at Coventry & Warwick University.This episode is full of gold, including an inside look at Suzanne’s practice and how it has evolved over time, the complexities of developmental transitions, the need for attachment and autonomy in personal relationships, and the importance of free play and downtime for children to protect their natural curiosity.  Suzanne discusses the tension between individuality and conformity, particularly in the context of adolescence and sport. She also shares her experience of setting up a coach's resilience group at Sunderland AFC which provided a space for coaches to discuss their experiences and challenges. And we discuss the role of storytelling in development, including the importance of exploring your own inner experiences and emotions to help your athletes reach their full potential.Enjoy!Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at athletedevelopmentproject.com/newsletterGet Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show