Game Plan Coaching Podcast

This episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast features someone who’s lived the full racing dream: Mark Blundell. From a council estate and motocross, to Formula One, IndyCar, World Rally and a Le Mans 24 Hours victory, Mark’s story is anything but ordinary.   After nearly 20 years at the top of global motorsport, a BAFTA-winning stint as an F1 pundit, and now CEO of MBP, he brings a rare inside v...

This week, we’re joined by Dan Lycett, Head of PE & Sport at St David’s College in Llandudno. A coach who describes his current practice in three words: energised, confused, focused. Energised by the challenge of doing things differently, confused by the expectations that still cling to youth sport, and focused on making movement joyful and meaningful for every child. Dan has built a coaching...

In this episode, I’m joined by Nicky Harverson a brilliant child-first coach who helps young riders build confidence, connection and joy through cycling.   At Cheltenham Town Wheelers, play, curiosity and voice are at the centre of every session.   We talk about what it really means to coach the child, not the drill. How stepping back can help young people step forward. And how Nicky’s SOUL approa...

In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Liam Gilbert, a coach who’s spent over a decade developing high-performing teams in the women’s game. Liam’s coached at every level - from grassroots to the Women’s Championship - with roles at Eastleigh, Oxford United, Reading, and Burnley as well as leading football at Oxford High School. Across every environment, he’s built a repu...

I’m joined by Tom Coyd MBE, Head Coach of the England Wheelchair Rugby League team and Head of Pathways for Wheelchair Rugby League at the RFL. At just 27 years old, Tom led England to victory in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (played in 2022) and in my opinion is one of the most thoughtful and grounded coaches in high-performance sport. In this conversation, we explore: Why every coach needs to...

Episode 3: Coaching with Honesty, with Fran Whalley In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Fran Whalley. A brilliant fencing coach who brings energy, honesty, and heart to everything she does. Fran’s coached athletes from their first steps in the sport right through to representing Great Britain and Wales at World, European, and Commonwealth Championships. She’s the Head...

In this very special minisode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by my five-year-old son, Charlie - an expert in play, honest feedback, and finding a bit of magic in everything. Charlie’s just taking his first steps into organised sport, trying his hand at football, karate, gymnastics, CrossFit, swimming (which regrettably we didn’t talk about) and cricket. Together, we take ten minutes...

The serious business of play — with Richard Cheetham MBE In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by someone who’s been a huge influence on me and countless others in the coaching world – Richard Cheetham MBE. Richard is a Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester and an award-winning coach educator with over 20 years’ experience developing coaches acros...

Episode 1: Coaching's Quiet Superpower Welcome to the very first episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast: where we share short, practical coaching conversations designed to spark ideas you can apply, adapt, or reflect on in your own coaching. In this debut episode, I’m joined by Martin Dighton, a coach who’s spent the last 20 years helping players and coaches thrive. Martin’s coaching journey st...

Welcome to the Game Plan Coaching Podcast. Led by me, Tom Hartley - an experienced Coach & Coach Developer - in each episode we will: Learn a little more about our guest, their background, and what has influenced the way they coach Ask our guest to add something to the 'Game Plan' - a shared playbook of idea, stories, memories and mindsets. Share some 'Game Changing Coaching Advice' that you c...