The Coach Doctor Podcast

In this episode I speak with Dr Balin Cupples. Balin is the current Head of Performance at the One New Zealand Warriors National Rugby League team. Balin talks about his career moving from a youth development coach into the National Rugby League and the learnings he took along the way. We discuss his background from his Masters of Sports Coaching education to his PhD research at the University of Sydney. We also discuss balancing a career in professional sport with family commitments. Balin gives us his thoughts on what qualities stand out in the head coaches he has worked with over a 9-year career in the NRL.This episode was recorded late 2022 in the preseason to the 2023 season and since recording the Warriors have gone on to record their best start in the NRL for a long time.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

Today’s guest is Professor Nicola Hodges, she is the Director of the Motor Skills Laboratory, within the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Nicola’s field of research is in Behavioural Science, Motor control and Learning, and Sport Psychology. She has over 150 published journal articles, book chapters and edited books and has been cited over 7000 times by other academics including myself. She is considered an expert in the field of skill acquisition and examines practice variables, such as demonstrations, instructions, feedback and practice organization, and investigates their impact on motor learning and transfer. She also studies expert athletes, particularly to do with deliberate practice and talent development pathways and processes underpinning perceptual skills. Her most recent publication “An extended challenge-based framework for practice design in sports coaching” is the basis of our discussion today and I am really looking forward to getting down to the nuts and bolts of what challenge based coaching looks like.For more information on Professor Hodges research you can follow her on twitter @kin_msl_ubc or check the Motor Skills Lab website: https://msl.kin.educ.ubc.ca/homeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

On this episode I talk with England Rugby Union fullback Mike Brown. Mike has 72 appearances for England and 351 appearances for his former premiership club Harlequins as well as a handful of games for the Newcastle Falcons. Most recently Mike represented and Captained the Barbarians in a series of games coached by Crusaders coach Scott Razor Robertson. We talk about Mike's transition into reitrement and his career development after rugby. We discuss some of the coaches that left a mark on his career and why communication and connection can be so important in high performance sport.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

Courtney Brackenrig is a recent graduate working in the sports science field and former elite athlete with the Australian Institute of Sport. We discuss her educational pathway, her experiences as an athlete and the importance of volunteering to create opportunities within the industry. Courtney also discusses how she continues to learn from a range of mentors and the importance of balance in the industry to ensure you do not burn out. To contact Courtney you can find her on:LinkedIn @courtney brackenrigInstagram @biofueled Email info.biofueled@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

In this episode I talk to Ben Darwin from Gain Line Analytics. Ben is a former Wallabies and ACT Brumbies Prop who played during a very successful era for Australian Rugby. Since retiring due to injury Ben has gone on to coach in the Shute Shield, Super Rugby and the Japanese Top League before forging a career for himself in cohesion analytics. Ben breaks down what cohesion in the team setting is and provides a detailed explanation into how and why cohesion may be the next "Money Ball" of team sports. For more information on what Gain Line Analytics do you can use the following links:Website: http://www.gainline.biz/Twitter: @GLAnalyticsLinkedIn: Gain Line Analytics or @Ben DarwinGold Digger: The Search for Australian Rugby (official trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dttG_dSi6uEThe rise and decline of Australian Rugby Union - EXPLAINED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWLbaYHlI9wBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

In this episode I talk to Reuben Williams and Ryan Walker from Sports Grad, if you’re not sure who these guys are then check out "the Sportsgrad Podcast" the number 1 careers podcast on itunes and you will find them helping people getting jobs in sport. I thought this conversation would be a great way to help coaches and performance staff develop their careers and opportunities in sport by taking on the top 8 steps that Reuben and Ryan recommend for getting your dream job. We discuss tips for networking and using social media to put yourself out there. If you are looking to make sport your career then this is the episode for you. You can find more information via the links below:Website: www.sportsgrad.com.auInstagram: @sportsgradTwitter: @sportsgradLinkedIn: @Reuben Williams and @ Ryan Walker and @SportsgradPodcast: https://www.sportsgrad.com.au/podcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

In this episode I speak with Grant Doorey. Grant is a career coach who has spent over 25 years in professional coaching and coached at 4 rugby world cups, the French top 14, the English premiership and Super Rugby to name a few. Grant discusses his journey and some of the learnings along the way. We discuss coaching across three different continents and cultures, language barriers and the sacrifices that elite coaching involves. There is a lot for aspiring coaches to learn from this conversation. If you would like to get in contact with Grant he is easily contacted on LinkedIn under his name: Grant DooreyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

Greg is a coach at the community level in Rugby Union and he really wants to help community coaches develop by sharing his thoughts and opinions around coaching at this level of the game. Some of the issues community coaches have to deal with is player availability, player work commitments, finding volunteers to assist with running grassroots clubs, opportunities for professional development plus many more other aspects that we discuss.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

In this episode I talk to Dr Mitch Hewitt, who is the National Youth Programs Manager at Tennis Australia. Mitch completed his PhD at the University of Southern Queensland and studied the teaching styles of tennis coaches in Australia using the Spectrum of Teaching Styles as the theoretical framework for his research. He has published multiple papers and presented at many Coaching and Physical Education conferences and more recently been a co-author on the book The Spectrum of Coaching Styles. In this episode we discuss how to implement some of the coaching styles on the spectrum and discuss their roles in coaching at all levels from foundation to elite. To view the full video of Koko's Arendelle Home Court Tennis go to the link: https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2113881/uiconf_id/45477432/entry_id/0_hvkfcb7j/embed/dynamicIf you would like more information or to connect with Mitch you can find him via his LinkedIn page under the name: Dr Mitch Hewitt (A/Prof. University of Canberra) PhD MEd BAppSci HumanMovement(Hons)GradDipEd(PE)BABecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.

Kyle is the owner of The Coaching Gig, a business that specializes in coach development and coach education. Kyle has worked with multiple sports organisations across New Zealand and Australia and his mantra is to help 'people thrive on and off the field.' He is also a bit of a musician playing the guitar, drums and piano as well as being able to sing very well. This interview definitely brought up a few issues in coaching worth thinking about in more depth for me. The future of coaching courses and the role social media has in coach development.The way we develop both coaches and athletes.How we can deliver better coaching at the grassroots level.If you would like to know more about Kyle and The Coaching Gig you can find him via the following links:Website www.thecoachinggig.comLinkedIn: Kyle McLeanPodcast: The Coaching Gig on Spotify and Apple PodcastsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-coach-doctor-podcast--5032805/support.