Little and Large

Adam has been leading sport in schools for over 20 years and opens up about what it takes to get a small school recognised nationally for its sport.

Episode 1 of a new weekly special in partnership with our friends at SOCS - Beyond the Try Line will review all the big games in the Daily Mail Trophy each week - a competition contested by over 160 1st XVs around the country!

This week, Phil and Russ dissect a potentially tricky parent email!

We’re back! Season 2 of the pod - more stories, more insight, and there will be more guests. Strap yourselves in!!

Chris Dossett, Chairman of PADSIS, joins us this week to discuss his school visits in support of directors of sport, as well as his upcoming presentation to the full HMC conference to promote sport up the school agenda with Heads.

Jack Emmerson, assistant director of sport at Reigate Grammar, joins us to discuss how we can think about fixtures differently using the Good Games Index. He also chats about how PE at Reigate is being viewed by pupils through the lens of Nandos.

Youth sport conduct at tournaments and sports awards are on the agenda for this late night rant! The pod life is real

Pre game, half time, post match, learning intentions, you name it..... they are all probably too long. Chris Martin lifts the lid and has some unbelievable case studies to back it up. Your entire department need to listen to this.

Dani comes on to reply to the comments we made about ‘Walk and Talk’, as well as sharing her experiences of 18 years as a DoS.

Phil and Russ take questions from the listeners, and discuss a new Games option for seniors on a Wednesday...

James Kershaw-Naylor, director at SOCS, tells the most wonderful story about how a family's desire to get to school rugby fixtures turned in to a family-run business synonymous with school sport.

We grab the nettle in this week's episode and actually talk to one of them..... a parent! Guess what, we survived and took so much from the conversation. This episode is in partnership with Richard Shorter - a man who has helped us both in engaging sporting parents.

George Browning, Director of Sport at Reigate Grammar School, makes the trip over to Russ's garden office for a Belgium beer and a natter with Phil. The episode was meant to look at developing character through sport..... it was meant to.

Issy Sewell, DoS of Caterham School, joins Phil and Russ this week to shed some light on why there are not more women leading school sport. Episode sponsored by Non Perfect Dad, Richard Shorter - a lead in parent engagement.

Phil is in Tenerife and Russ is back in Surrey this week. We discuss all sorts including women’s sport, the London Marathon, and gaining perspective as a director of sport under pressure.

The pod stops for nobody, and certainly not Russ’s holiday in Cyprus! With the summer term ahead, the lads discuss whether we are getting it right either way our sporting programmes, and Russ gets the abundant screens on holidays off his chest.

We got him…. Well I asked Neil at RP7s and he said yes. As honest, candid, and thoughtful as ever. Neil sees the sector, and the role of DoS so clearly, and gives us wonderful insight into both. A must listen.

George Fisher, England Netball and tall legend, joins Russ and Phil this week. Everything from swimming lengths at 5am, to playing out in New Zealand for two years, to coming back from a blown out ACL, this episode is a belter!

After a week at the RPN7s, Phil and Russ sum up what was an incredible school sport event. They even got a feed with World Cup winner, Jason Robinson MBE!

John Short Ring, Head of Senior School at Kent College Dubai, joins Russ and Phil this week to lift the lid on SMT's view of sport. John line managed Russ at King's for four years and gives us some invaluable insight in terms of fostering the relationship between you as DoS and your Deputy Head or Headteacher.

Phil reviews the PADSIS Director of Sport conference, and Russ talks us through his war stories of Royal Shrovetide Football!

On this week’s Little and Large Podcast, we are joined by Asha Riley who shares her insights on her love for ‘our subject’, the barriers girls face in school sport and exercise in general, and how we should pause for a moment from the constant adding culture of sports into an already thriving girls’ programme.

Phil and Russ are joined this week by Eton College groundsman, Harry. A keen sportsperson himself, Harry talks about how important it is to foster a great level of communication between the sport team and the ground staff. There’s also much confusion about the rules of the famous ‘Field Game’, another traditional ball game like Russ’ beloved Royal Shrovetide Football!

Phil and Russ are joined by Andrew Turner, Deputy Head (Senior). Andrew has taught in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and gives us amazing insight for those contemplating the big move. Is it all sun, sand, and tax free dollars??

Phil and Russ spill the beans on how to get a job as a PE teacher in the independent sector. Whether that be as an ECT, head of sport, or Director of Sport, they give their insight into everything from interview technique, to tours, to writing your letter. It's job season right now! Happy half term. X