Mark O’Sullivan is helping me kicking of the 50th celebratory episode of “Off the Pitch with Active”.

To me he is an inspiration fueling my burning desire to help influence people to create a youth sport environment which Mark said in the opening “Meets the physical and emotional needs of children and youth”.

So, I put together this episode with a mixture of previous guests, who shared their view of the best possible environment for youth to thrive in sport. My question to them was “What is your Sound of Music of youth sport?”

You will love what they have to say.

For more than a decade Vickie has been involved in working with children, with various programs including Melbourne Kids Developmental Services, and the Active After School communities program, as well as mentoring and volunteering at various schools and organisations such as Anglicare.

Vickie has competed in numerous Martial Arts tournaments nationally and internationally in the USA, Philippines and New Zealand, which include two World Championships for Stick Fighting, receiving 2 silvers and 1 bronze medal, as well as a Gold in the Pan Pacific’s held in New Zealand.

In her memoir 'The Boxer Within', Vickie shares her journey to find the passion within.

Sean has a keen interest in helping coaches learn. He holds an AFC/FFA Pro Diploma, but also has a passion for continual learning, which has included a Masters of Coaching (University of Queensland), and training as a Master Coach Developer through the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) Coach Developer Academy.

5 years Director of Football in NZ

2 Years Technical Director Football Victoria

7 years National Coach Educator Football Australia

Since July 2019 and current FIFA Technical Expert

Since Jan 2021 E-Learning Development Manager

Dr. Jess Garza holds a PhD in performance psychology, a master's in clinical mental health and a master's in sport-exercise psychology. She has established herself as a global influencer and now spends her time presenting around the world. She has worked with professional athletes, congressional staff, FBI, CIA and US Special Forces. Dr. Garza helps her clients develop mental readiness, emotional intelligence and self-confidence to optimize their potential both on a personal and professional level.

In this episode we will talk around the topic of Emotional Contagion.

Julie M. Stamm, Ph.D. was the first to publish research on the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in youth sports. This research has been covered in the media worldwide and has influenced youth sports organizations to make rule changes in youth sports to limit head impacts.

Julie go deep to expand our knowledge of the brain development in younger years without complicated jargon.

Today we will explore her latest book The Brain on Youth Sports: The Science, the Myths, and the Future

You really want to hear what Julie has to say, so let’s get on with it.

Johan is an ex professional table tennis player, representing his country Sweden. After being a sport psychologist in FC Kopenhagen and Djurgarden IF, 2 professional soccer clubs, he spent 10 years being responsible for sport psychology in Swedish FA.

During this time, he also worked on special projects with Swedish Olympic Committee and other key sporting bodies in Sweden. Johan has presented to over 100,000 people in Sweden and Scandinavia.

Today he does most of his work in Fallby Sports & Psychology AB, both in sport and the business world. He is also involved in research and participated in several peer reviewed published papers.

Dr Josephine Perry is a chartered psychologist working with those in sport and on the stage and in business to help them overcome their barriers to success, so they can achieve their goals.

Josephine run “Performance in Mind”, a performance psychology consultancy. Based in London but working worldwide, to help you find your why and identify your values so you can overcome those barriers that sport, high performance, and life throw at us.

She is the author of 3 books, she is with me today to discuss aspects of her latest book. “I can-The teenage athlete’s guide to mental fitness”.

Brandon is a student at Ridgewood High School, in New Jersey and is the Sports and Wellness Columnist for his high school paper. He is also the founder of “Mind-Design Sports”.

Lucy is a year 11 student with a passion for soccer. She is working on a very important SACE school project which is very close to my heart. Analysing the psychological factors of why girls leave sport.

Emily, have also a big passion for soccer as a player and referee. At 15 she refereed U18 boys games.

Youth sport from perspective of teenagers, this episode got something for everyone, young and old.

Welcome to part 2 and the last part of this amazing conversation with VJ Stanley, Balanced Excellence, author, mentor, who council’s mental health techniques to excel in sport & life.

In this episode we continue the conversation from ep40 about puberty and sport.

If you have not heard part 1, I recommend you listen that episode first as some references may not make sense otherwise.

If you are a coach or parents and like part 1, don't miss this final episode about sport around puberty

VJ founded Balanced Excellence as an answer to his family's and friends’ constant questions about the stress associated with their children's participation in youth sports.

The company is based on Science, Psychology and data

He is an author of 4 books “Stop the Tsunami in youth sport”, “Less is more”, “talented athletes” and his latest “Does your mind, mind what you are doing to your body”

This is part 1 of 2 episode is about sport around puberty. If you are a coach or parents, don't miss this episode

Paige is a sports and fitness enthusiast. She uses a process called Performance Neuro Training. She is currently assisting athletes all over the world ranging from youth, teen, NCAA, USA National Athletes, MMA, NFL, MLB, NHL.

In this episode she help us unpack what is going on on the inside to help us understand the behaviors we see on the outside.

Former Argentinian professional tennis player talks about his junior development and parents. He also talks about being a sports parent to a No 1 Argentinian junior player. It's a story of ups & downs.

Hernan is also author. He lives in Buenos Aires, and he runs his zinc flake coating business as the CEO of Chousa SRL. Unplugged is his first novel where he could fuse two passions: music and writing. He also published “My Son the Tennis Player” and “How to Help Your Kid Succeed in Sports”.

Married with Mariana with two sons: Julian and Sebastian.

This is a story you will relate to and pick up some great suggestions which will enhance your childs sporting experience, wether you are a coach or parent or both.

The buzzword most often associated with high performing teams is "chemistry". Chemistry is formed through connection, and at the heart of connection is communication.

Betsy understands that language is the most powerful tool we possess, and that elevating our communication skills gives us a competitive advantage in any arena.

In her role as "The Coaches' Coach", Betsy meets individuals where they are and supports the growth that they're looking to make. As a Communication Specialist, Betsy helps organizations improve communication effectiveness while working collaboratively to create positive change at all levels of team.

If you are involved with Gen Z, you will treasure this episode.

Matt was introduced to the power of sport by a teacher who helped him use sports as a conduit to self-actualization. He has spent the last 25 years learning, coaching, mentoring, and experiencing the positive impact sport can have on lives.

He is Guinness World record holder fastest bike relay across Canada-2007 & TEDx Stanley Park Speaker 2015. Executive Producer of “No Running” Documentary 2016 & “The Cost of Winning” Documentary 2017

"You value what you measure-If you only measure wins and goals, development suffers.

Allon managed three world #1 tennis players, including Novak Djokovic. He organized his own professional ATP tennis events in three countries that attracted the likes of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.

Allon realized that it is mental toughness that separates the world’s best players from everyone else and it allows them to pursue ambitious goals whilst keeping their mental sanity in place.

He has been a Member of the ATP Council and have witnessed firsthand the evolution of professional tennis over the last ten years.

Allon share some gold about mental toughness and how to train it.

VJ Stanley was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school and won the school’s first ever Leadership Award.

Adults need to eliminate outside noise, so players can focus on making decisions. Avoid "bottle necking" to choke players with information you think they need.

Free play, Yes please! says the captain of the US Olympic ice hockey team and USA Hockey Hall of Famer, Brian Gionta. “Pond hockey-I’m there with my guys and when it is getting dark, we pull up our trucks and put the lights on and keep playing.” It is important part of ice hockey

VJ is also a psychologist and sprinkle some gold dust throughout the episode

Joel Franco is using his passion in film making in producing a documentary about youth sport “Where our children play”. Three out of four American families with school-aged children have at least one playing an organized sport — that's a total of about 45 million kids. By age 15, as many as 80% of these youngsters have quit.

The documentary intends to shed new light, perspective and expose the truth to ensure that all those involved in youth sports can join hands and work as one to return youth sports to the children.

Listen to Joel's future "Sound of Music" of youth sport

Mark O’Sullivan is a UEFA A licensed coach and is head of youth development for 8-12 at AIK in Stockholm, Sweden and is part of their Research and Development department. Mark is currently doing PhD Research Sheffield Hallam University, UK, which centers around designing learning environments in youth football.

Mark has also worked as a consultant for the Canadian FA (2017) helping them to develop their new coach education program. He regularly holds lectures, talks and practical sessions around the world. Not just confined to soccer Mark has collaborated with coaches in Basketball, handball, floorball, figure skating and ice hockey.

The sports world is a high-pressure environment, Richard’s skills and experience mean he is able to probe the tough issues and challenges parents and coaches face, without being judge mental or pushy.

He delivered parent engagement strategy support, sports-parent meetings and coaches CPD on working with parents for:

• Three National Governing Bodies; (England Rugby U18 Boys & Girls, England Hockey U16 & U18 Boys and Girls and England Cricket Board)
• A number of the UK’s top professional sports teams in their academy system. (Including Saracens, Essex County Cricket, Newcastle Falcons & Somerset County Cricket.)
• The countries top independent schools, (Including Millfield and Millfield Prep & Trinity Croydon.)

Mikael Wallsbeck have a European Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology, from Högskolan i Halmstad. He is also educated in psychotherapy in cognitive behavior therapeutic direction. Mikael has been working as a leader with experience of working with children and adolescence, specifically with LSS (Australian equivalent to NDIA, National Disability Insurance Agency)

Today, he works with Gefle IF in football and Swedish Para Table Tennis Team. He also works with students in sports psychology at GIH (Gymnastik och idrottshögskolan in Stockholm).

His team at the company Imagine That, work with many organizations, both corporate and sports to many to mention now. He, together with Fredrik Weibull run a podcast Hjarnskrynklarna. So, we got a lot to talk about.

Yellow for Yelling Ambasador-Soccer & founder of PTA and Adelaide Atletico

Born in Argentina, Marcos Flores, had a great career in professional football in Union de Santa Fe between 2001 and 2003 where he began his professional career, then Newell’s Old Boys and he also played in Curico Unido.

He signed for the A-League club Adelaide United in Australia, where he achieved the player of the year in 2011 (Johnny Warren Medal). Marcos has also been in USA to help develop football at Jacksonville Armada.

Over 16 years as a pro player, Marcos played in Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, Indonesia & USA.

I will spend most of the time talking about his passion for helping young players grow in the sport of football (soccer).

Ben is a young football coach based in Brisbane, Australia. Just off the back on spending the last 9 months in Uganda, East Africa working at a football academy called Football for Good. Currently studying a masters at the Queensland University of Technology. He challenge you to think.

Do you have a theory underpinning your actions as a coach?

Are your players solving problems in training or are they just follow your instructions?

A great conversation about coaching theories. Is one better than the other?

Dave is a UEFA A licensed coach (through The FA) and has 17 years coaching experience, including the last 7 years at professional academies in London and Melbourne at Brentford FC, Fulham FC and most recently with the U20s at Melbourne Victory FC.

This is a fantastic conversation when Dave shares what he learned at the highest youth level and how he has changed the way he communicates with players. He also discuss some of the later research PDP has published.

If you are a coach, don't miss this, there are many golden nuggets to take from this conversation.

Hall of Famer & mother of 8, Joey Peters has 110 caps for Matilda’s, including 3 World Cups (’99, ’03 & ’07) & One Olympic Games (2004) and she scored 28 goals for the Matilda’s

She played in USA, Brazil, and my birth country Sweden

Joey study at AIS, she has FFA/FIFA A-Lic and you see her on SBS as a football analyst.

But in this podcast, we discuss the important work she does with Game Play Learn. “Design the game-Let them play & Watch them learn"

This conversation will impact your coaching in a very positive way.

Reed Maltbie does not really need an introduction, he is a Mentor in youth sport and coaching. With two Masters degrees, one in Early Childhood Learning & one in Sports Psychology, Reed understand children and what is going on in their brains while growing up to become adults.

He is the Creator of “Coaching code” podcast & Raising Excellence, He did the TEDx talk “Echoes beyond the game” which is a must watch if you are a coach or parent. Co-Creator of Positive Discipline Tools for Coaches with Dr. Jane Nelson and Cofounder of the brilliant GO! Raise Excellence Think Tank to improve youth sport with Ruth Nicholson.

Apply this to your coaching and your athletes will soar.

Make sure you don't miss my previous episode with him. #009

Sports Mum of 8, Outreach Coordinator at MVP Leadership Academy and owner and founder at Sports Mom Essentials. Stacie run her own podcast “Eating curve balls for breakfast”

In this fantastic episode, Stacie shares some advice on how to empower young athletes. If you are a coach or parent, this is for you.

You will love this podcast, Richard is a young inspiring coach and qualified teacher. He talks about his experience as a professional coach in USA, dealing with parents and coaches with different views about youth development. He has a large appetite for learning, but is not shy  to express his own opinion.

This is an episode you don't want to miss.

Gordon MacLelland set up ‘Working with Parents in Sport’ after 20 years as a teacher and as a coach for all age levels from 7-year olds to Adults. He has a BA/Hons degree in Sports Science from University College Chester and a PGCE from Lancaster University.

His organisation currently works with 7 National Governing Bodies across a wide range of sports, clubs and schools of all sizes and the Little Athletics Franchise in NSW, Australia.

Darren Wensor, Head of Coach & Volunteer Development with Little Athletics NSW. Darren has twenty-five years of experience working full-time in sports development and coach education, and he is in his 30^th year of coaching/teaching experience.

Darren has authored/contributed to numerous sports-related articles, books, journals, manuals, support resources and coach education course outlines.

Ruth Nicholson is an internationally-certified professional facilitator, mediator, and organizational alchemist. She specializes in helping clubs design board processes and club operations to provide more effective support to coaches, teams, and players.

Ruth is also the co-creator of the 2019 GO! Chase Excellence Think Tank to Improve Youth Sports. The online event offered more than 80 solution-focused sessions and 61 speakers from five continents.

In 2018, Ruth was one of four national finalists in for the Innovator of the Year award in the US, based on her development of the GO! Resource and training platform.

Glen Mulcahy is a professional speaker & coach, mentor with a down to earth flair who shares his knowledge from a lifetime of involvement in multiple sports as athlete, coach and parent. Glen is passionate about sharing what he has learned to “bring the game back to the kids”, while leading others to do the same.

Glen grew up playing multiple sports across Canada and played on provincial winning teams in Hockey, Football and Rugby. He is a graduate and now a mentor of the University of British Columbia’s Kinesiology Program. Soon after he graduated from UBC, he started coaching, and he has now coached men, women, boys and girls in slow-pitch, hockey, baseball, softball, rugby and ball hockey for over 2 decades.

Author of the book “11 habits of happy & Positive Sports parents” and several other books, Janis is a family coach for all families and has extensive experience coaching families with children who play sports. She was a coach's wife for 29 years, a sports mom for 21 years, and is now a mom to two coaches, and a mother-in-law to one. She loves to see families thrive through all their seasons, in and out of youth sports.

This is a fantastic episode where Janis shares some great advice to us parents.

Ryan has been a Director of Community for Coaches since 2008, a group based in Kansas City that provides training and mentoring for athletic coaches at all levels of sport.

42 years old Married to Erica. They have four sons ranging from 18 to 10 years old. He teaches High School Math in addition to leading CFC.

Raised in Southwest Florida, played many sports growing up and later played college (American) football at Yale University. Have coached many sports with children of all ages.

He explains a refreshed view of winning in the right context. He got me thinking if I am a sports fan or supportive parent when I watch my children play. Which one are you?

This is your opportunity to get a closer look how right support improves lives.

I saw Jenn’s email address on an email I got from Reed Maltbie (TedX talk Echoes Beyond the Game & episode #009 Off the Pitch with Active). I didn’t know who Jenn were, but I watched an interview with her.

I was so impressed with her approach to coaching kids and she demonstrated some tricks to get kids to ex

pand their “can do thinking”. I had to have her on Off the Pitch with Active to share with parents and coaches in Australia.

Jenn speaks to 1000’s of children all around America and she shares many tools and ideas on how our children can deal with challenges.

You will fall in love with Jenn and her work with teenagers across North America

He was sick of parents abusing referees, so he started a Facebook Page called Offside sharing videos of abusive parents. This created a massive media attention by CBS, NBC, Today, Forbes, Inside, Fox News and many more.

I am not looking for your approval, but I am looking for your attention.

This is a podcast for every parent and coach with a child playing sports

I caught up with Raffa for a coffee before the 2018 Adelaide season. We talked about when he was offered a trial in the Hong Kong Premier League midway through 2012. After a brief experience in Hong Kong he moved back to ADELAIDE to start the South Australian Futsal League.

He tells a great story about his experience coaching Vanuatu National Team in preparing the for qualifying for Futsal World Cup.

You will really enjoy listening to a well known Adelaide soccer profile.

I came across a video clip from Sunrise on Channel 7 about the parents' behavior in youth sport in Australia. My guest Oliver Brecht,

Since joining IEPP Oliver worked extensively with the players and coaching staff at the Sydney Swans AFL and Sydney Roosters NRL clubs. He has also worked with the Red Backs South Australian Cricket Team. Oliver has provided personal coaching and team development initiatives to players and coaches within these teams, and regularly provides support to jockeys across NSW and the ACT.

As a parent, I got a ton of great information from Oliver.

Delivered by Inclusion Coaching, at Charlie Austin Football School, children will learn new skills, make new friends score lots of goals, make lots of saves, improve their passing, perfect dribbling and most of all have lots of fun in what they believe is the perfect environment to develop not only football skills but also social and physical skills.

In this podcast, Steve shares what Inclusion Coaching is all about, and how they help children to become better decision makers in football while having fun.

Mark delivers Swedish FA coach education courses and has run many youth social projects, has his own blog – Footblogball – and is currently doing PhD research into designing learning environments in youth football. Mark has also worked as a consultant for the Canadian FA (2017) and regularly holds lectures, talks and practical sessions around the world.

If you are a parent or involved with youth development, you will treasure the information Mark shares on this podcast.

Image: Mark explains the purpose of the training to parents

Never Lose Sight of Your Passion and Dreams was the headline of my interview with Christian Sotira (DOB 2001) and his parents, Sergio & Adriana and sister Alessia, in July 2017.

Now living in Italy, I caught up with Christian while on holiday in Australia. We had a chat about the difference between Australia and Italy from a football perspective. We covered many aspects of his lifestyle in a compound with 20 other players, training styles and the mental challenges living in this environment.

How is it to compete with 7 other players for a position in the team and only find out if you play the day before? Christian talk about how he deals with this and how some of the teammates relationships got affected.

If you love football, you will enjoy this interview.

Image: Christian in Action with Eastern United

Skye is the founder of the Soccer Parenting Association (SoccerParenting.com), with a mission of elevating the game by engaging, educating, supporting and advocating for youth soccer parents. Skye is a sought, after speaker for parents, coaches, clubs and players. A former professional player, Skye was a collegiate and youth All-American goalkeeper, Defensive MVP of the Final Four (1993) and State Champion track athlete.  Skye has coached extensively at the youth and collegiate games. An MBA graduate of the University of Richmond, Skye has earned her USSF “B” License, the National Goalkeeper License and is a Coach Educator for United Soccer Coaches

With nearly 30 years of experience as an educator/coach and two master’s degrees (one in sport psychology and one in Early Childhood Education), Coach Reed has a wealth of practical experience and scientific research that he draws on to help athletes, coaches and parents find more effective ways to navigate the youth sport environment.

His ability to break down the science and translate it into practical example of behaviors in our children is captivating.

Here is a great opportunity for all parents and youth coaches to get an insight into what is going on in a child's head.

It is an absolute pleasure for me to announce that Michael has put his hand up for involvement in the Yellow for Yelling Awareness and Educational program for parents with children in sport.

His experience is comprehensive; Ex professional player (including U20 young Socceroos & U23 Olyroos), 3 years as Technical Director of CCSC, 5 years as Director/Owner of Soccajoeys and current ACS Football-Director of Coaching. He is also FFSA U17 (NTC) Girls Head Coach, developing players for future Matilda’s (for non-Australian listeners Matilda’s is the Australia Women’s National Football Team, who currently is ranked 6 in the world by FIFA.

Combine this experience with his coaching qualification including AFC/FFA A License plus FFA instructor and other certified courses, Michael will help raise awareness of the Yellow for Yelling program amongst higher level coaches and educators.

This podcast will touch your heart!

Dr. Jennifer Fraser is an author, researcher and sought-after international speaker on bullying, abuse and harassment done by adults. With a PhD in Comparative Literature, she brings together different discourses such as neuroscience, literature, journalism and psychology in order to question and improve the way we educate children and young adults.

Dr. Fraser shares her own story about her son and her work in relation to youth sport. If you are a parent or coach, you will be amazed.

This is a story of Shane Hillman and his family. Shane’s story will teach us all to appreciate life, the opportunities we get and the friend around us while we still can. It will teach us, no matter what happens, we shall continue with a “can-do” attitude. Continue to do our best and most of all enjoy moments.

Shane, a husband, a father, a grandfather and coach of his son Josh team had it all when he suddenly had his life turned upside down when diagnosed with brain cancer. This is an inspiring story.

Trevor Ragan has done workshops with groups from all over the world. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, Major League Baseball Teams, Olympic teams, 100's of schools and even a few prisons.

He seeks out the scientists and thought leaders in the world of development, consume their research and discoveries. He connects the dots and shares with anyone who will listen. I was one of those who wanted to learn.

I discovered Train Ugly through his excellent descriptive videos in my own research. He displays powerful diagrams and animations about the mind and learning. Trevor's videos have over 500,000 downloads

In his podcast series, “Way of Champions” he interviews leaders of the world in coaching, Teaching & Research. His podcasts get 100,000's downloads.

He speaks to people like; Tom Statham: Junior coach at Man United, Todd Bean: Who continuing the Legacy of Johan Croyff, John Kessel: USA Volleyball Director of Sport Development and globally sought-after speaker, Anson Dorrance: Former U.S. National Women’s Team Head Coach in Soccer with a world title and Inducted to Hall of Fame

To be honest, the list goes on and on and he is with Active sharing some wisdom with us. You don't want to miss this episode.

When this episode was recorded, his role was to develop players for the Junior Matildas (U17), Young Matildas (U20) and Matildas of the future. Education is the key and the NTC Girls program is also about educating the parents, therefore he takes a collaborative approach in their education.

Michael shares his experience as a player when he had some of his toughest times but also some of his best in his career as a soccer player. Being part of the Socceroos U21 squad, he had a bad injury which forces him to miss World Cup. You will get a lot out of this episode.

CEO of Working with Parents in Sport, a company set up to support parents in creating the best possible environment for their children.

He spent the last 17 years coaching and working as a PE teacher, sports coach and for the past 10 years as a Director of Sport in a UK independent prep school (8-13). His work is the core of the Yellow for Yelling program helping parents with children in sport in Adelaide.

He shares some great information for us parents.