Dan welcomes Dr Kimberly Berens, founder of Fit Learning  and CEO of Fit Learning Online and author of Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them. Fit Learning is a powerful system of instruction based in behavioural science and the Technology of Teaching, and it aims to transform the learning abilities of children, which it does in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. To find out more about Fit Learning, go to: http://fitlearningonline.com/ In the podcast, they discuss: How Kimberly found watching her son's experience of being coached filled her with horror Ho ..read more

Dan quizzes the Myths of Sports Coaching editors around how we deal with some of the muddling thinking coaches believe is true. Dr Amy Whitehead is an Associate Professor at Liverpool John Moores University, and Jenny Coe is the Performance Well-Being Lead for the Women's Professional Game at the FA. Their first edition was so good that they’ve been persuaded to do a second edition, which will be out in the autumn. In the book, they invited experts to delve into myths about learning styles, deliberate practice, coaching women differently, and fundamental movement. Here's a link to the first ..read more

Dan chats to Telegraph sports journalist Fi Tomas about where women’s rugby needs to go next.  Fi has worked on the paper since 2019, was number 11 on 2023 BBC Women's Hour Power List and recently nominated for the 2023 British Sports Journalism women’s category. She is a keen advocate for a stronger voice in female sports. In the podcast, they look at: Why women want to play rugby The hurdles facing women in sport How the media portrays women in sport What needs to be addressed in terms of language and attracting a broader audience The issues that rugby faces, from male-dominated spaces ..read more

Ralph Knibbs, Head of Human Resources at UK Athletics and a Bristol rugby legend, chats with Samba Ceesay, Broad Plain RFC’s captain. In an extraordinary podcast, Ralph first describes his journey as a black player from a non-traditional rugby background, why he turned down playing for England twice and how his children made him more self-aware about being a role model. He then asks Samba about his journey. Coming to rugby late, Samba talks about how Broad Plain stood up for him, allowed him to become a better player, and what led him to lead the club. As the podcast unfolds, you will hear how ..read more

This podcast is dedicated to the memory of one of the guest's daughter, who passed away suddenly a few weeks after the recording. The Peel family have set up a donation page for Katie in support of FarmAbility. Here's a link. https://www.justgiving.com/page/katiepeelfarmability Please listen to this inspiring journey of three coaches providing something amazing. It needs us all to reflect on setting up a SEND rugby programme. Dan Cottrell speaks to Darren Rea, John Peel and Gareth Lewis of Gosford All Blacks, Wallingford and Whitney rugby clubs. There are plenty of lessons for all of us ..read more

Dan chats with Dr Rachael Jefferson about fundamental movement skills and how to introduce them effectively into our coaching sessions. Rachael is a lecturer in human movement studies and creative arts, and author of Fundamental fun: 132 activities to develop fundamental movement skills. You can get a copy of her book here. In the podcast, we explore: What is meant by fundamental movement skills (FMS) What do the terms body management, locomotor, and object control skills mean Why we need to coach FMS How to make it part of our training sessions Ways to help less skilful young people becom ..read more

Dan chats with Chris Dossett, chair of the Professional Association of the Directors in Sport, and very experienced DoS himself. In the podcast, they talk about: How a good director of sports supports their less-experienced staff Connecting with the players Making the less-able teams enjoy rugby as much as the top-flight What equality looks like in sports in a school environment How to make girls' sport part of the fabric of the school sports system Chris gives many examples of practical ways to operate, not just as a director of sport but also as an example of good coaching for others to f ..read more

Dan talks to Jess Hayden, former Times sports journalist and author of Dan chats to Jess Hayden, author of The Red Roses: Behind the Scenes with the England Women's Rugby Team. Jess, who was previously a sports journalist at The Times and The Sunday Times, is the editor of Contested, a new social app for sports fans. In writing the book, she was able to get exclusive access to the England Women's team, known at the Red Roses, plus speak to former players and coaches. In the podcast, she talks about: The highs and huge lows of a World Cup campaign Professionalism in women's rugby and the le ..read more

In this episode, Dan chats with Sean Lindersmith. They discuss how he created a coaches’ coffee club, and how he made it a genuine place to learn and support each other. Sean is the Vice President of Operations at Premier Rugby Sevens and Silicon Valley Rugby - defence and forwards coach. His past roles include University of MN Head Coach, US Coast Guard Sevens Head Coach, St Augustine High School Head Coach, MN Youth Rugby Youth and HS Director and USA Eagle’s National Team Manager (Men’s) In the podcast, we cover Establishing the Coaches’ Coffee Club Mentorship and sharing initiative Practi ..read more

Dr Jocelyn Solomons joins Dan on the podcast to discuss her research on how dance can improve rugby players. Based at the world-renowned Stellenbosch University in South Africa,  she is a lecturer in  Applied Kinesiology and strength and conditioning. She has a PhD in women's rugby development and an MSc in Sport Science focusing on rhythmic movement and rugby. In the podcast, we explore: How do you persuade rugby players that dance can make a difference How did it make a difference in the research project What happens if a player can’t dance How can it be made position-specific Jo ..read more