In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Liam Bloye, Head of Coach & Player Development at Cambridge United FC. With experience across England, the US, and Australia, Liam shares honest reflections on leadership, learning through experience, and what it really means to support coaches, players, and parents within an academy environment.

This conversation explores the balance between professional identity and personal life, the value of varied experiences over time served, and the ongoing challenge of creating alignment without complacency in coach development systems.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Liam’s journey through coaching roles across different clubs, countries, and cultures.
• Why identity beyond coaching matters — fatherhood, perspective, and balance.
• The difference between years of experience and quality of experience.
• Why complacency is one of the biggest threats to development in football organisations.
• How exposure to different environments shapes adaptable, reflective coaches.
• Measuring whether coaching is actually “working” — beyond assumptions and tradition.
• Creating aligned identities without stifling individuality in coaches.
• Supporting parents as stakeholders in the player development process.
• Finding better ways to genuinely impact coach growth while keeping players at the centre.

🧠 “You can have 20 years of different experiences — or 20 years of doing the same thing over and over.” – Liam Bloye

📣 Whether you’re leading coach development, working in an academy environment, or reflecting on your own coaching journey, this episode will challenge you to think more deeply about experience, identity, and how we truly know development is happening.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — how do you know your coaching is actually working?

#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #CoachEducation #LeadershipInSport #PlayerDevelopment #ReflectivePractice #TheCoachesNetwork

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In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dr. Stephen Harvey, a globally respected coach educator and researcher known for his work on game-centred approaches, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), and reflective practice in coaching.

Stephen brings decades of experience in sport pedagogy, coach education, and applied research. Together, they explore what it means to teach the game through the game, the value of inquiry and questioning in practice design, and how coaches can thoughtfully integrate theory into real-world coaching moments.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Stephen’s journey into sport pedagogy, research, and coach education.
• The principles and philosophy behind Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU).
• How TGfU shifts coaching from instruction first to problem solving through play.
• Designing practice tasks that reflect real game context and decision-making.
• The importance of questioning over telling — helping players think, not just react.
• How coaches can balance structure and freedom in practice.
• Integrating reflective practice and theory to improve coaching impact.
• Practical examples and Q&A driven insights on implementing game-based approaches.
• Why coach development should be rooted in curiosity, evidence, and ongoing learning.

📚 Resources & Further Reading

Explore Stephen’s work on Teaching Games for Understanding at the FIFA Training Centre:

👉 Science Explained — TGfU Overview

https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/environment/science-explained/high-performance/train/stephen-harvey-teaching-games-for-understanding.php

👉 TGfU Q&A with Stephen Harvey

https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/environment/science-explained/high-performance/train/stephen-harvey-teaching-games-for-understanding-qa.php

These resources expand on many of the ideas discussed in this episode and are excellent companion material for coaches looking to implement TGfU principles.

🧠 “The coach’s role is to open the game for the learner — not to close it down with instructions.” – Dr. Stephen Harvey

📣 Whether you’re a grassroots coach, academy practitioner, or coach developer, this episode provides actionable insight into teaching through play, fostering decision-making, and using questioning to unlock player understanding.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — how are you using game-centred approaches in your practice?

#CoachDevelopment #GameCentredCoaching #TeachingGamesForUnderstanding #TGfU #FootballCoaching #ReflectivePractice #CoachEducation #TheCoachesNetwork

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In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ruben Ward-Lindsay, a coach working across academy football, semi-professional men’s football, and education. From his role with Watford’s U10s to his coaching at Biggleswade United and his full-time work as a PE teacher in alternative provision, Ruben brings a powerful blend of lived experience, empathy, and practical insight.

This conversation dives into what coaching really looks like on the ground — working with young people who’ve experienced adversity, navigating Foundation Phase priorities, and challenging traditional ideas around 1v1s and session design. Ruben shares honest reflections from both the academy and AP worlds, exploring transferable skills, behaviour management, and what young players actually need to grow.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Ruben’s coaching journey across Watford Academy, Biggleswade United and alternative education.
• What coaching in alternative provision teaches you about patience, empathy, and behaviour management.
• How working with excluded young people develops communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
• Why understanding the “whole child” is essential in both teaching and coaching.
• The importance of context when coaching 1v1 situations — and why generic 1v1 boxes often miss the mark.
• Position-specific 1v1s: creating realistic, match-like pictures that reflect actual demands.
• Foundation Phase priorities:
• Passing & receiving as the most frequent action in the game.
• Consistency versus capability — and why U10s can do things but not replicate them yet.
• Finishing: unopposed, in the box, and from realistic scenarios like cutbacks.
• Comparing Foundation Phase (U10s) with YDP demands (U13s–14s): biomechanics, decision-making, and consistency.
• Why coaches must think beyond isolated practices and consider what players were doing before and what they’ll need next.

🧠 “Passing and receiving is massive — it’s the most frequent action in football. The difference at U10 isn’t ability, it’s consistency.” – Ruben Ward-Lindsay

📣 Whether you're a Foundation Phase coach, working in education, or navigating multiple environments, this episode offers grounded, practical insight that will help you rethink session design, player development, and how to support young people more effectively.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — how do you create realistic, position-specific pictures in your coaching?

#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #FoundationPhase #CoachEducation #PlayerDevelopment #YouthFootball #TeachingAndCoaching #TheCoachesNetwork

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In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Kurtis Millan, an individual development coach currently based in Sweden at Hammarby IF. Kurtis shares his unique journey from coaching in Ireland and the U.S., to working with players across multiple levels and cultures, combining professional experience with a learner-focused coaching philosophy.

This conversation explores player autonomy, the value of different coaching approaches, and how focusing on relationships and individual needs can create meaningful impact. Kurtis offers practical insights for coaches looking to develop players holistically, refine their approach, and embrace diversity in coaching practice.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Kurtis’s journey: coaching in Ireland, America, Northern Ireland, California, and now Sweden.
• How personal experiences and unconventional paths shaped his coaching perspective.
• The importance of allowing players freedom and autonomy — football is a player’s game, not the coach’s.
• Why every coach brings a unique role and function — there is no single “right” way to coach.
• Focusing on the learner’s needs rather than imposing a coach-centric view.
• Practical examples of how to create impact through relationships and understanding individuals.
• Reflection on a sports psychology exercise highlighting what makes a coach memorable: respect, empathy, and personal connection over tactics alone.
• Encouraging coaches to embrace individuality — for themselves and their players — and to leverage their strengths for greatest impact.

🧠 “Don’t approach the session as a coach. Step into the mindset of what the learner needs. We’re lucky — we get to teach football.” – Kurtis Millan

📣 Whether you’re coaching youth, academy players, or individuals in development roles, this episode highlights the power of autonomy, relationships, and learner-focused coaching.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — how do you balance player freedom with structured coaching in your sessions?

#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #PlayerAutonomy #IndividualDevelopment #YouthFootball #CoachingImpact #TheCoachesNetwork

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In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by John Murphy, a highly experienced coach and educator whose career spans MLS, US Soccer, and the UEFA pathway. With roots in both the US and UK, John brings a unique dual-perspective shaped by decades in professional environments, university soccer, and coach education.

This conversation explores the art of keeping coaching simple, designing meaningful player-centred sessions, and understanding what truly matters in long-term player and coach development. John’s journey offers powerful insight into the realities of elite sport, the importance of psychological safety, and how coaches can stay grounded in a profession full of complexity.

💡 Key Talking Points

• John’s journey from Boston to Scotland to MLS — and into coach education with US Soccer.
• Navigating coaching across elite, university, and youth environments.
• Why simplicity is a superpower in coaching: lessons from Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, and other top influences.
• Designing a weekly rhythm: when sessions should be player-led vs coach-led.
• The “sandwich” approach to session flow — blending player-centred and coach-centred methods.
• Understanding the two tracks of sport: elite performance vs participation, and why both matter.
• Creating psychological safety and high-energy training environments.
• The role of curiosity, humility, and lifelong learning in coach development.
• How modern coaches can use readily available resources to grow in small, consistent steps.

🧠 “The best coaches I’ve learned from keep it very simple.” – John Murphy

📣 Whether you’re working in grassroots, academies, elite performance, or coach education, this episode will help you rethink how you design sessions, engage players, and build your own coaching identity.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — what does ‘keeping coaching simple’ mean in your environment?

#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #CoachEducation #PlayerCentred #CoachingSimplicity #CoachingMindset #TheCoachesNetwork

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In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Danny Barham, a coach and performance analyst with over a decade of experience in professional football. From his early days in performance analysis at Birmingham City to coaching across multiple Academy setups, Danny shares his unique perspective on the game, the industry, and the mindset required to succeed in coaching.

This conversation dives deep into self-awareness, reflection, and learning to separate your identity from outcomes in a sport defined by unpredictability. Danny shares practical insights for coaches navigating the pressures of development, results, and personal growth.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Danny’s journey from performance analysis internships to coaching in professional football academies.
• The hybrid coaching role: balancing performance analysis and technical coaching across age groups.
• Why football is “the most complicated game of chess” and the industry an “impossible Rubik’s Cube.”
• Understanding what variables you can influence and what you cannot in coaching.
• The importance of self-awareness and reflection in long-term coaching growth.
• Detaching personal identity from outcomes to maintain perspective and well-being.
• Learning from mistakes: embracing the unpredictability of coaching and games.
• The role of continuous development, curiosity, and adaptability in professional coaching.

🧠 “As a coach, you cannot tie your success to the outcome of 22 random people doing random things.” – Danny Barham

📣 Whether you’re a coach, performance analyst, or aspiring professional in football, this episode will challenge how you think about success, reflection, and what truly matters in your development.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — how do you balance self-awareness with performance pressure in coaching?

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In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Richard Cheetham MBE, Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester and one of the most respected voices in coach development across the UK.

Richard brings decades of experience working across multiple sports — from cycling to rugby to high-performance environments — and offers a refreshingly human, reflective, and deeply practical look at what coach development reallyis (and what it isn’t).

From partnership learning to creating environments where coaches can truly flourish, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humility, and powerful real-world insight.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Richard’s journey into coach development and why working across sports shaped his philosophy.
• Why coach development is a partnership, not a transaction.
• How assumptions about how people should learn can limit growth.
• The importance of curiosity, feedback, and co-designing the learning process.
• Why great coaches need different environments — and how to identify what helps someone “come alive.”
• How to challenge coaches without overwhelming them (“not sunshine, unicorns, and chocolate cake”).
• The importance of doing the prep work before coach interactions — understanding individuals, values, and learning preferences.
• Why reflection is an active skill, not a passive diary entry.
• What Richard has learned from working with elite groups like the Royal Navy rugby team.
• What actually works in coach development — and why we still don’t ask this question enough.

🧠 “If you want people to flourish, you can’t assume they’ll flourish under your conditions.” – Richard Cheetham

📣 Whether you’re a new coach, an experienced mentor, or leading coach development programmes, this episode gives you a fresh way to think about learning, interaction, and what it means to truly support coaches.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 What environment brings you alive as a coach? And how do you help others find theirs?

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In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ebun Thomas, Assistant Head of Academy & Head of Coach Development at Doncaster Rovers.

Ebun shares his journey from starting out as a grassroots coach at just 16 to now leading the development of coaches in a professional academy environment. This conversation dives deep into accountability, standards, mentorship, and what truly shapes a coach’s long-term growth.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Ebun’s coaching journey from grassroots volunteer to senior academy leader.
• The realities of holding coaches accountable — and why standards matter.
• The difference between experience and effective development.
• Why mentorship remains essential in producing adaptable, reflective coaches.
• How to build environments where coaches feel supported and challenged.
• Developing coaching behaviours—not just session plans.
• What Ebun looks for when identifying and growing coaching talent.

🧠 “If you want high standards in players, you need even higher standards in coaches.” – Ebun Thomas

📣 Whether you’re progressing on your coaching journey, supporting other coaches, or shaping development programmes, this episode will shift how you think about growth, accountability, and what defines a high-performance coaching environment.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 How do you hold yourself accountable as a coach or coach developer?

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In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Francis Aderiye, Academy Coach, Non-League First Team Coach, and lifelong student of the game.

From a knee injury that redirected his path into coaching at just 16, to now balancing roles across academy and senior football, Francis brings honesty, curiosity, and deep reflection to this conversation about coaching, development, and the ever-evolving nature of the game.

Together, they explore the grey areas of coaching — the bits that sit between philosophy, player freedom, performance demands, and what “good coaching” actually looks like in practice.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Francis’ journey: from injured young player to coaching at 16 and finding a new passion.
• Why football is never black and white — and how this shapes coaching decisions.
• The tension between academy development and non-league performance demands.
• Who really gets the credit for success: the player or the coach?
• Does coaching actually work — or does football simply go in cycles?
• The evolution of coaching: from command-style methods to autonomy and back again.
• Why players should be the “artists” and coaches the ones who give them the brushes.
• What a meaningful game model looks like and why clarity matters.
• How Francis approaches his own coach development and reflective practice.

🧠 “If the picture belongs to the players, your job is to give them the paint — not to tell them exactly what the painting should look like.” – Francis Aderiye

📣 Whether you're in grassroots, academy, or senior football, this episode challenges assumptions about coaching impact, player decision-making, and what modern development truly requires.

👉 Tune in now on all major podcast platforms.

💬 Drop a comment: What do you think coaching success really looks like?

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In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Sara Hilton, Senior Lecturer in Football & Coaching Science at Wrexham University, FAW Coach Educator, and UEFA A Licence Coach.

Drawing from her journey as a former international footballer turned coach developer, Sara offers an honest and insightful take on the realities of coach education, the importance of mentoring, and how the profession is evolving in a changing landscape of technology, learning, and human connection.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Sara’s journey from international player to academic and coach educator.
• Why coaching qualifications are more like a driving test than a destination.
• The difference between being a qualified coach and an effective one.
• Why mentoring—not just courses—creates deeper, lasting coach development.
• The need for reflective, critical thinking in coaches at every level.
• Balancing theory and practice: why great reports don’t always mean great coaching.
• The potential (and pitfalls) of technology and AI in the future of coach education.

🧠 “A qualification just shows you can drive on the day — it doesn’t tell you what kind of driver you’ll be.” – Sara Hilton

📣 Whether you’re on your coaching journey, mentoring others, or shaping education programmes, this episode will challenge how you think about learning, reflection, and what truly defines good coaching.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — what do you think is the future of coach education?

#CoachDevelopment #CoachEducation #Mentorship #LearningInSport #TheCoachesNetwork

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🎙 Episode 370: Jamie Bird | The Future of Performance Analysis in Football

In this episode of The Coaches Network Podcast, CoachYas is joined by rising performance analyst Jamie Byrne, a dynamic young professional carving a path in elite football.

At just 23 years old, Jamie has already worked with clubs such as Birmingham City Women, Crystal Palace, and currently supports AAFP in Colombia. With a First-Class Honours in Sport & Exercise Science and an MSc in Applied Performance Analysis underway, Jamie brings both academic insight and real-world experience to the conversation.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Jamie’s unique journey into football analysis and early career experiences
• The evolving role of the performance analyst in modern football
• Balancing individual vs. team analysis for player development
• How collaboration, challenge, and uncertainty foster better coaching outcomes
• Real-life stories of influencing tactical decisions and earning coach trust
• Why analysts must learn to communicate and challenge effectively within MDTs
• Jamie’s belief that “opposition is opportunity” — embracing feedback and critical thinking

💬 “People aren’t challenging you to spite you — they’re doing it to make you better.” – Jamie Byrne

🔗 This Episode Is Perfect For:

• Analysts and aspiring analysts in sport
• Coaches seeking better integration with analysis teams
• Students of sport science, performance analysis & coaching
• Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes development of footballers

🎧 Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms

📲 Follow us @TheCoachesNetwork for exclusive content, coaching insights & CPD opportunities

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🎙 Episode 369: Tony Caig | Developing Goalkeepers for the Modern Game

In this episode of The Coaches Network Podcast, CoachYas is joined by Tony Caig, current Head of Academy Goalkeeping at Newcastle United and National Team Goalkeeping Coach for Northern Ireland Men’s Senior Team.

With a playing and coaching career spanning decades, Tony brings a wealth of experience from both the pitch and the technical area. The conversation explores the evolution of the goalkeeper role, insights from his transition from player to coach, and the realities of coaching goalkeepers in the modern game.

🧤 Key Discussion Points:

• Tony’s journey from pro player to top-level goalkeeping coach
• How the goalkeeper role has evolved technically, physically, and tactically
• The challenges and nuances of coaching goalkeepers in today’s game
• The importance of understanding the individual’s physical and psychological profile
• Striking the balance between traditional techniques and modern approaches
• The value of feeling in goalkeeping: why some saves aren’t teachable
• Dealing with mistakes and using them as learning tools
• The role of comfort vs. discomfort in goalkeeper development

💡 “Prevention is better than cure.” – Tony Caig on the proactive evolution of the modern goalkeeper

🔗 Perfect For:

• Goalkeeping coaches at all levels
• Outfield coaches seeking a deeper understanding of the GK position
• Sports psychologists & coach educators
• Anyone interested in player development and position-specific coaching

🎧 Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📲 Follow us @TheCoachesNetwork for more coaching content, conversations, and CPD opportunities.

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🎙️ Episode 368 – Creating Football Learning Situations with Mark Schuur

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dutch coach Mark Schuur to explore what it means to create learning-centred, game-relevant environments for players. With a background in PE teaching and academy coaching, Mark shares insights from his journey through the Dutch coaching landscape, including his time at FC Utrecht and other professional setups.

Together, they unpack:

• How to design sessions that replicate the game
• The importance of clarity and simplicity in coaching
• Why asking the right questions can be more powerful than delivering information
• How to shift your mindset from planning drills to crafting learning experiences
• Balancing technical repetition with tactical decision-making
• Strategies for increasing player ownership and engagement

Whether you coach grassroots or elite players, this episode will spark ideas for how to enhance your delivery and impact through purposeful design and reflective practice.

🔍 What You'll Learn:

• How to create more meaningful and effective football sessions
• The benefits of using small-sided games and positional constraints
• Why variety isn’t always better – and how consistency builds understanding
• How to foster motivation and autonomy through reflection
• What Mark learned from coaching U13s through to senior pros

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🎙 Episode 367 – Dr. Peter Sear | Empathic Leadership, Ego & Coaching with Compassion

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dr. Peter Sear—founder of The Empathic Coach and a specialist in empathy, leadership, and high-performance environments. Together, they explore what it really means to lead with empathy in elite sport, and how ego, emotion, and compassion shape the environments we create.

Peter brings a unique blend of academic research and applied practice, breaking down how coaches can connect more deeply with athletes, build trust, and manage their own emotional landscape more effectively.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Why empathy is a skill, not just a personality trait—and how it can be developed.
• The difference between sympathy, empathy, and compassion in coaching contexts.
• How ego shows up in coaching—and why awareness is the first step to managing it.
• Why understanding emotions (yours and others’) is essential for high-performing teams.
• The role of storytelling and reflection in enhancing emotional intelligence.
• Practical strategies to bring more empathy into your language, tone, and presence.
• What “empathic leadership” looks like in a results-driven, competitive environment.

🧠 “The best coaches are emotionally intelligent. They see the person, not just the performer.” – Dr. Peter Sear

📱 Whether you're a head coach, team leader, or just starting your coaching journey, this episode offers fresh insight into how emotional awareness can transform your leadership style—and the culture of your team.

👉 If this connected with you, tag a coach you respect and start a conversation around ego, empathy, and evolving your practice.

💬 We’d love to hear your thoughts—how are you developing empathy as a skill?

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🎙 Episode 366 – Danny Pilgrim | Commentary vs. Coaching, Self-Awareness & Using Coach Developers

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Danny Pilgram (Birmingham City FC Academy Coach & Non-League First Team Coach) for a grounded, honest and insightful conversation about the journey of becoming a coach—and what it really means to coach, not just commentate.

Danny shares reflections from over a decade of experience across academy and senior football, breaking down the trap many new coaches fall into: mistaking talking for teaching. He explores the importance of clarity, intentionality, and the power of feedback in developing your practice.

💡 Key Talking Points

The difference between commentary and actual coaching—and why it matters.

How easy it is to lose focus mid-session, even with the best intentions.

Why having a "buddy coach" or trusted colleague can sharpen your practice.

Practical strategies to audit your own coaching language and interventions.

How to get the most out of working with a coach developer.

Why self-awareness and deliberate reflection must underpin your coaching identity.

🧠 “You can still develop yourself—even while delivering a session.” – Danny Pilgrim

📱 Whether you're new to coaching or mentoring others, this episode is packed with real-world insight and tips you can use straight away. From using your phone to record your own voice, to learning how to ask coach developers for specificfeedback—this one’s a practical deep-dive into becoming more self-aware, coach-aware, and player-focused.

👉 If this resonated, tag a coach you rate and start a conversation about commentary vs. coaching.

💬 Let us know your go-to tools for self-review—we’re all still learning.

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🎙 Episode 365 – Steve Whelan | Coach Identity, Trust & Creating Environments for Growth

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Steve Whelan (Senior Coach Developer & Leadership Specialist) to explore what it really takes to develop coaches and build trust-filled environments where people thrive.

With a background spanning high-performance sport, corporate leadership, and coach development, Steve brings a unique perspective to questions around coach identity, psychological safety, and the invisible forces that shape how we show up on and off the pitch.

This conversation goes beneath the surface of Xs and Os to ask: Who are you as a coach? And how do you build environments that reflect that identity with honesty and intent?

💡 Key Talking Points

Why identity is central to your coaching—not just what you know, but who you are.

How trust and vulnerability underpin long-term growth in coaching relationships.

Why coach development must move beyond competence to connection.

The power of language in shaping the culture of your sessions and wider environments.

How Steve uses principles from leadership and psychology to support coaches in navigating uncertainty.

Why the best environments balance high challenge with high support.

🧠 “If you don’t know who you are, how can you know how you coach—or why anyone would trust you?” – Steve Whelan

📣 Whether you're mentoring others, leading a team, or still figuring out your own coaching voice, this episode will get you thinking deeply about identity, trust, and the kind of culture you're really building.

👉 Like, share, and follow if this sparked reflection around your own coaching journey!

💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn—tag us and share how you're building meaningful environments in your setting.

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🎙 Episode 364 – Alex Stylianou & Darren Murray | Objectivity, Mentorship & the Complexity of Modern Coaching

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Alex Stylianou (UEFA A Licence Holder) and Darren Murray (UEFA A Licence Holder) to explore what it really means to develop as a coach in today’s complex, content-heavy world.

Alex and Darren bring unique perspectives from working across national teams, academy football, and international development settings. This conversation unpacks the subtle tensions between objectivity and subjectivity in coaching, the real value of mentorship, and the importance of grounding your learning in frameworks rather than trends.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Why “objective” coaching isn’t about being cold and clinical—but clear and consistent.
• How Alex’s and Darren’s diverse pathways shaped their views on coach learning and reflection.
• The danger of mentorship becoming “guru-led” instead of dialogue-driven.
• Why complexity in coaching demands more humility, not more hacks.
• How to build a learning environment that challenges assumptions and encourages critical thinking.
• What coaches can do to filter noise and focus on what actually matters in their own practice.

🧠 “It’s not about who you follow—it’s about what you’re asking, what you're reflecting on, and what you're applying.” – Darren Murray

📣 Whether you're early in your coaching journey or leading development in your club or organisation, this episode will push your thinking around mentorship, learning, and what it takes to coach with clarity in complex times.

👉 Like, share, and follow if this conversation sparked new reflections for you!

💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn—share your takeaways and tag us to let us know how you’re navigating the complexity of modern coaching in your own setting.

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🎙 Episode 363 – Jake Lister | Designing a Coaching Curriculum That Actually Works

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Jake Lister, Youth Pathway Lead at Sheffield United Women's Academy, to unpack the realities of curriculum design in elite football environments.

Jake shares how he moved beyond traditional linear curriculum models to co-creating a living, breathing framework that evolves with players, coaches, and the demands of the game. Drawing on real-world examples and reflective practice, the conversation highlights how designing a curriculum isn’t about having all the answers—but asking the right questions.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Why building a coaching curriculum is more than a PDF document—it's about culture and collaboration.
• How Jake's experience in different club environments shaped his approach to curriculum design.
• The role of learning environments in fostering coach and player development.
• What it means to align coaching intentions with daily behaviours across all age phases.
• How clubs can bridge the gap between theory and practice in coach development.
• Lessons from designing “backwards”—starting with the end in mind and working in reverse.

🧠 “You’re not just creating a document—you’re curating a shared language that lives across your environment.” – Jake Lister

📣 Whether you’re refining a curriculum, building one from scratch, or just trying to better understand how to connect planning with practice—this episode will stretch your thinking on what good really looks like.

👉 Like, share, and follow if this episode sparked new ways of thinking!

💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn—drop a comment and tag us with your biggest insight from Jake’s reflections. We’d love to hear how you’re approaching curriculum design in your own setting.

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🎙 Episode 362 - Professor Andy Abraham | The Art of Professional Judgement in Coaching

In this follow-up episode, Coach Yas reconnects with Professor Andy Abraham to dig deeper into the nuanced world of coaching, professional judgement, and decision-making.

Andy expands on the idea of coaches making "bets"—calculated decisions based on their perceptions, prior experiences, and contextual understanding. Together, they explore how these decisions are not just intuitive but informed by a blend of tacit knowledge and professional reasoning.

💡 Key Talking Points

• The meaning of professional judgement and decision-making in coaching.
• Coaches as cognitive apprentices, modelling their thought processes for others.
• The tension between topic-based coaching and game-realistic scenarios.
• The importance of creating curiosity in coaches by highlighting what they don’t yet know.
• How experienced practitioners often hold "folk theories" that align with academic ones.
• Why working with both experienced and novice coaches requires a flexible coach development mindset.

🧠 “You’ve created a sense of deprivation… people get curious, and they start going on a journey with it.” – Andy Abraham

📣 Whether you’re an emerging coach or a seasoned practitioner, this episode will challenge how you view planning, reflection, and the development of coaching expertise.

👉 Like, share, and follow if this episode sparked some thoughts!

💬 Drop a comment on LinkedIn and tag us with your biggest takeaway — we’d love to hear how it’s shaping your coaching practice.

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🎙️ Episode 361: Andy Abraham | Evolving Coach Education, Judgement, and Trust in Development

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Professor Andy Abraham, Head of Subject for Physical Education & Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett University, to explore the shifting landscape of coach education, professional judgement, and what it really takes to support coaching excellence.

🧠 With over 27 years in education, Andy brings a unique lens to how coach development is facilitated across contexts—from universities to elite sport, including his work with PGMOL and the FA. This conversation digs deep into the evolution of coaching standards, balancing structure with adaptability, and how we move beyond "skilled robots" to develop “knowledgeable doers.”

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• Why coach education must move beyond standardisation
• The power of embedded coach developers
• What “good” looks like—and who gets to decide
• Trust, judgement, and the real-world complexity of assessing coaching
• How coaching frameworks can unintentionally hinder creativity
• The concept of espoused vs. enacted theory in coaching practice

💡 Quote of the Episode:

“Do you want skilled robots or knowledgeable doers? Competence frameworks are great at creating the former—but we need more of the latter.”

🎓 Guest Bio:

Professor Andy Abraham leads one of the UK’s most recognised coaching departments at Leeds Beckett University. His research and practice sit at the intersection of coach education, professional judgement and decision making, and applied learning. He has collaborated with major organisations such as The FA, Premier League, and PGMOL to reshape coach development pathways in elite sport.

📢 Connect with Us:

🔗 Follow @TheCoachesNetwork on Instagram and Twitter

🎧 Subscribe & Review the Podcast

💬 Join the conversation with #TheCoachesNetworkPodcast

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