The Get Down - Youth Athletic Development

Welcome to the final bonus episode of The Get Down podcast, where I guide you through building the ultimate athletic development framework for schools. Over the years, I’ve received countless questions from coaches, parents, and school staff about solving challenges in athletic development settings. This episode is your cheat sheet, breaking down every detail into three stages: the preseason, comp...

In this episode of The Get Down Podcast, we wrap up the season with an absolute game-changer in the world of long-term athlete development. James Baker, the Head of Talent Identification and Athlete Development at Elite Sport UAE and Co-Founder/Director of The LTAD Network, joins us for a live podcast recording.  James shares his deep insights into the evolving landscape of youth athletes, the cha...

In episode 34 of the Get Down Podcast, I delve into the strategies needed to optimize athletic development within the school environment. This final instalment for schools starts with a common scenario where schools hire athletic coaches focusing primarily on top-tier sports, which can lead to challenges when responsibilities grow. I discuss three key strategies: expanding the scope of events beyo...

Welcome to episode number 33 of the Get Down Podcast, tailored for parents aiming to set their children up for success in sports. I discuss three main points: selecting sports intentionally during different stages of maturation, emphasizing early and appropriate athletic development, and strategically managing your child's weekly schedule to prevent burnout and maintain passion. I highlight the im...

Welcome to episode 32 of The Get Down Podcast! In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in modern coaching: bridging the generational gap with our athletes. I’ll walk through why many traditional coaching frameworks just don’t resonate with today’s athletes and offer up some alternative approaches that have proven effective. We’ll dig into three major points: long-term athlete...

We welcome Ben Pullen, PhD paediatric strength and conditioning and Founder of Youth Exercise Centre, to discuss the intricacies of coaching young athletes and the role parents play in this journey. Dr. Ben shares his wealth of experience from working with youth athletes and provides valuable insights for parents and coaches alike. Key Topics: Dr. Ben discusses how well-meaning parental involvemen...

This time, the focus is on analysing the pros and cons of various coaching structures within school environments. The discussion centres on three primary models: the homegrown coach, outsourced onsite coaches, and external facility providers. Each model offers unique advantages and challenges. The episode encourages schools to weigh these factors based on their unique needs and invites listeners f...

The episode focuses on the generational differences in children's engagement with sports, emphasising play and physical activity changes. I explore how a lack of unstructured play impacts movement competency and the technical development of youth athletes. It highlights issues such as a diminished interest in watching sports and the consequences of early specialisation vs. inactivity. Parents are...

Welcome to Season 4 of The Get Down Podcast series! In this episode, we will debunk the overtraining fallacy among youth athletes. I will explain how my viewpoint has evolved over two decades of coaching, emphasising the importance of year-round athletic engagement and unstructured play to build resilient, well-rounded athletes.  Key points include:  ​Dangers of seasonal specialisation  ​Benefits...

I sat down with Shane Gooneratne from PLAE to discuss the intricacies of constructing high-quality athletic facilities around the globe. From working with sports clubs and tech companies to government agencies and schools, Shane shares his experiences and milestones, highlighting standout projects like Loughborough University and the SHORE School in Sydney. We dive deep into the cultural differenc...

I sat down with James Godfrey, an influential figure who transitioned from representing schools and rugby teams in Australia to revolutionising the business of sport and financial services. Delving deep into his career highlights, the conversation covers his leadership philosophy, the importance of values, and innovative strategies for enhancing school sports programs. James shares insights on bui...

We explore the real success behind school athletic development programs. Through a personal story emphasising the powerful impact of inclusive gym access, we discuss effective timetabling, distinguishing between student-athletes and regular students, and the critical role of well-being and pastoral care. Discover how to create a supportive and inclusive environment that benefits all students, not...

In this episode, we focus on helping parents set their children up for success in sports. We discuss the critical concept of general preparation, why it's essential, and how it has been lost recently. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls in youth sports, understand the importance of varied physical activity, and why early specialisation may not be beneficial. This episode is a must-listen for an...

This episode is oriented to coaches in the athletic development space. We’ll address why 'fun' is often overrated in youth sports development. We explore the complex layers of fun and the critical need for structured training time. Key points include the importance of training, the various forms and implementation of fun, and how these evolve through different stages of athlete maturation....

In this special guest episode, Matthew Jay from the Newcastle Knights delves into the essentials of youth sports development and discusses the importance of nurturing talent through practical and theoretical approaches. Matthew shares his insights on what makes an elite athlete, the significance of intrinsic motivation, and the shift in mental health awareness in sports. He also highlights the ris...

Welcome back to The Get Down podcast! This episode focuses on how schools can effectively retain casual coaching staff. Tune in as we discuss three key strategies: fostering ownership among staff, providing professional development opportunities, and nurturing individual career aspirations.  Learn how to build a formidable coaching team and advance your program.  Also, stay tuned for our next epis...

Welcome back to the third season of The Get Down podcast, where today I’ll share expert advice for parents struggling with their children’s busy sports schedules. I’ll outline five essential tips: ensuring one full day off per week, limiting sports to two per season, engaging with children early by participating in their activities, being selective with specialist coaching, and being cautious of b...

Welcome to the third season of The Get Down Podcast. This episode focuses on the critical concept of Session Flow for coaches, emphasising its impact on the quality of coaching.  In the episode, I’ll break down strategies for different age cohorts in the high school development setting, specifically for years 7-8 (12-14 years), years 9-10 (14-16 years), and years 11-12 (16-18 years).  Key points i...

In this special bonus episode of the Get Down Podcast, I interview Evan Lawton, the founder of GymAware, about the origins and development of velocity-based training technology.  We dive into the history of GymAware, the advancements in sports tech since its inception, and how the company has evolved over the years to become a gold standard in the strength and conditioning industry. Evan shares in...

Join me on the Get Down podcast as I dive into an inspiring conversation with Bobby Jovanovich, the renowned head coach of Brisbane Grammar School's swimming club. Reflecting on his journey from swimmer to an influential coach, Bobby shares invaluable insights on athletic development, technical training, and the importance of strength and conditioning (S&C) from a young age. We’ll discuss how he b...

Welcome to episode 16 of The Get Down Podcast! Today, I emphasise the critical need for schools to implement an athletic development syllabus based on the long-term athlete development model. I outline how a syllabus forms the foundation of all athletic programming, ensuring coaches have a structured guide for student training and progress. The episode argues for the syllabus’s role in allowing in...

Welcome to episode 15 of the Get Down Podcast, directed towards parents involved in youth sports. Today, I explore the concept of 'opportunity seeking' and its potential misconceptions and financial implications. I discuss how the unconditional love of sporting parents, is often misconstrued in the competitive sports environment, and how this can drive a pursuit for better opportunities for their...

Welcome once again to the Get Down podcast, season 2. In this episode, I’m going to address the common mistake of misapplying tapering in youth sports training. I’ll begin with one of my own experiences in optimizing training schedules in school sports, focusing on the need for continuous development rather than peaking too early. The main points I’ll be talking about include the critical evaluati...

Welcome back to another episode of The Get Down podcast! This is our fourth episode in series 2 and today we have an insightful interview with Nicole Kriz, the newly appointed director of Tennis Australia's National Academy, who sheds light on her journey in tennis, from player to coach to administration. She discusses the challenges and achievements of her role, especially post pandemic, the phil...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Season 2 of The Get Down podcast! Today, the focus is on year 10 children within school settings, a particularly critical stage for athletic development. I’ll discuss autonomy and independence training, and the challenges and opportunities associated with this phase. Also, key points include the need for customised programming and the potential risks of...