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The Grassroots Football Coach

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

UEFA A Licence Coach Mark 'Rivo' Rivers, and Berks & Bucks FA's, Richard Brant, catch up with local and national football coaches to discuss their journeys, coaching philosophies and personal experiences in the sport. Follow Rivo & Rich as they catch up with old friends, new colleagues and footballing legends, and listen in, as each guest provides their own fascinating insight into football coaching from every level of the game.

UEFA A Licence Coach Mark 'Rivo' Rivers, and Berks & Bucks FA's, Richard Brant, catch up with local and national football coaches to discuss their journeys, coaching philosophies and personal experiences in the sport. Follow Rivo & Rich as they catch up with old friends, new colleagues and footballing legends, and listen in, as each guest provides their own fascinating insight into football coaching from every level of the game.
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Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

UEFA A Licence Coach Mark 'Rivo' Rivers, and Berks & Bucks FA's, Richard Brant, catch up with local and national football coaches to discuss their journeys, coaching philosophies and personal experiences in the sport. Follow Rivo & Rich as they catch up with old friends, new colleagues and footballing legends, and listen in, as each guest provides their own fascinating insight into football coaching from every level of the game.

Language:

English

Contact:

01235558450

Episodes

Rivo & Rich meet... Sarah Davern

7/7/2022
This week, our dynamic duo, Rivo & Rich caught up with the brilliant, Sarah Davern. In this episode, Sarah shares her fantastic journey in the game. From her first experiences of grassroots football right up to the present day and playing for Ascot United. She talks in detail about her experiences playing mixed football and the differences she noticed once she joined the Reading FC Girls' Academy. Sarah also discusses her coaching journey, from starting out in her teens with Reading...

Duration:01:11:58

Rivo & Rich meet... Grant Downie OBE

6/30/2022
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 6 of the award-winning podcast. The duo are joined by special guest, Grant Downie OBE, to help them kick off the new season! In this episode, Grant shares his incredible journey from his early days at the NHS all the way to the present day as a Consultant in medical & performance solutions in elite sports & industry. Grant gives us his thoughts on player ownership, positive vulnerability, embracing diversity, investing time in your...

Duration:01:03:48

Rivo & Rich meet... for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022

5/10/2022
To support Mental Health Awareness Week, this special episode of The Grassroots Football Coach features our hosts Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant discussing their own mental health experiences. The theme of the week is loneliness, and together, Rivo and Rich talk openly about their own experiences and discuss the impact loneliness can have on individuals. Caution Advised - This episode contains sensitive material, with references to bereavement, which some listeners may find difficult...

Duration:01:03:26

Rivo & Rich meet... Per Mertesacker

12/23/2021
For this years Christmas Special, Rivo & Rich caught up with Arsenal legend and World Cup Winner Per Mertesacker. On the pod Per opens up about his early experiences in football and what impact his Dad had on his career. Per speaks of taking opportunities presented to him which led to making his debut for Germany at just 20 years old. Per also shares his historic journey with the national team which ultimately resulted in winning the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Per also talks about his...

Duration:01:12:43

Rivo & Rich meet... Adam Colley

12/16/2021
Rivo & Rich caught up with FA Tutor and UK Coaching’s Adam Colley. In this episode, Adam shares his journey from his early playing days and coaching experiences. He talks about his positive attitude and his determination to continue developing as a coach which he believes has led him to the roles he is in today. Adam also talks about the social and personable skills which are important as a coach. There’s also talk of multiple sports, the different ways to learn and Craig David. Plus, will...

Duration:01:01:55

Rivo & Rich meet... Ellie Reid

12/9/2021
Rivo & Rich caught up with MK Dons SET, Women’s Participation Officer, Ellie Reid. In this episode, Ellie shares her experiences as a young player in grassroots football and reflects on the resilience she has gained as a result. She provides an insight into the journey that has since led her to her current role at MK Dons SET. Ellie talks in-depth about a recent project she led highlighting the 50 lost years of the female game in this country and the huge strides female football has made...

Duration:01:05:23

Rivo & Rich meet... Ellen Hopkins

12/2/2021
In this episode, Rivo & Rich caught up with Oxford Utd U14 Girls' Head Coach and former colleague, Ellen Hopkins. On the pod, Ellen shares her journey from youth player, to coaching in the USA, and to becoming a UEFA B licenced Coach. She talks fondly of her experience across the pond and reflects on where she is now in her career and her various coaching roles. Always on the go, Ellen also explains how her car has transformed into a wardrobe!... For more information about grassroots...

Duration:00:51:03

Rivo & Rich meet... Jay Lovejoy

11/25/2021
Mark ”Rivo” Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 5 of The Grassroots Football Coach podcast. This week, Rivo & Rich caught up with local grassroots coach, Jay Lovejoy. In this episode, Jay shares his experiences as a grassroots coach, discussing the importance of the social and psychological on young players plus transferrable skills of other sports and what role they can play in a player's development. For more information about grassroots football coaching in Berks & Bucks, and...

Duration:00:50:16

Rivo & Rich meet... Mickey McCloskey for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

5/14/2021
Mark ”Rivo” Rivers & Richard Brant caught up with Mickey McCloskey for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. Mickey, Plymouth Argyle’s Community Trust Health & Disability Officer, shares his journey from growing up in Glasgow to his life-changing move to Plymouth and the impact his personal experiences of Mental Health had on his life. Caution advised - This episode contains sensitive material with references to drug/alcohol abuse, gambling, violence and criminal activity, which some...

Duration:01:33:49

Rivo & Rich rewind with... Chris Ramsey MBE

2/5/2021
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we head back to May 2020 when Rivo caught up with QPR Techincal Director Chris Ramsey MBE. On the pod, Chris talks about his playing career before moving into coaching and hear Chris speak about his current role at QPR and thoughts on the coaching philosophy. Also this week, we listen back to Rich chat with FA Affiliate tutors Mick...

Duration:01:09:02

Rivo & Rich rewind with... Graeme Carrick

1/22/2021
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we head back to June 2020 when Rich caught up with Graeme Carrick, The FA's National Lead for the Youth Development Phase. On the pod, Graeme talks about his early playing career at West Ham Utd before moving into coaching at an early age with Newcastle Utd's Academy and also discusses The FA Youth Development Phase in more...

Duration:01:15:09

Rivo & Rich rewind with... Sally Needham

1/7/2021
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we head back to May 2020 when Sally Needham, FA Affiliate Tutor, shared her coaching experiences and journey. Sally also talked to us about the Polyvagal Theory and the importance it can have on young children's development. Also featuring in this podcast, we listen back to an episode of 'The Panel' from June 2020 where our panel of...

Duration:01:06:31

Rivo & Rich rewind with... Pete Sturgess

12/24/2020
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we give grassroots coaches an early Christmas present as we head back to May 2020 to relive a brilliant from Pete Sturgess, The FA's Technical Lead for the Foundation Phase (5-11-year-olds). Listen back to this brilliant interview with Pete as he talks about where his own coaching journey began and offers some top advice, hints and...

Duration:00:47:07

Rivo & Rich rewind with... Andy Ritchie and 'Messi v Ronaldo'

12/17/2020
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we head back to May 2020 when Andy Ritchie, FA Affiliate Tutor, shared his coaching experiences and insight into the fantastic careers of Theo Walcott & Gareth Bale’s whilst at Southampton Academy. In the second part of the episode, we rewind to July 2020 and an episode of 'The Panel' where special guest Emmerson Boyce joined our...

Duration:01:12:40

Rivo & Rich rewind with... Tom Hartley and the 2018 World Cup

12/10/2020
Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we look back to April 2020 when Tom Hartley, FA Affiliate Tutor and Senior Coach Developer at UK Coaching, discussed his thoughts and journey in the game with Rivo & Rich. In the second part of the episode FA Affiliate tutors, Mick Lewin & Mitch Woodward, take us back to the Summer of 2018 and the World Cup when Gareth Southgate's...

Duration:00:51:33

Mark meets... Simon Church

10/2/2020
In the final episode of Season 3 Rivo and Rich are joined by former Reading, Wycombe Wanderers, MK Dons, Wales international striker, Simon Church. On the pod, Buckinghamshire born Simon talks about the start of his career joining Wycombe before moving to Reading and playing an important role in the club's promotion to the Premier League in 2012. He also talks about receiving his first international call-up for Wales via letter, the difference between domestic and international football,...

Duration:00:46:00

Mark meets... Rhys Evans

9/17/2020
In this week’s episode, Rivo and Rich were joined by former Chelsea, Swindon, Bradford and England U21 Goalkeeper, Rhys Evans. On the pod, Rhys talks about starting his career at Lilleshall then moving on to Chelsea. Rhys talks about which goalkeepers have inspired him and about his current role as a coach at Swindon Submarine. Rhys also talks about mental health, best save of his career and a fascinating insight into Nigel Martyn’s penalty saving technique! For more information about...

Duration:01:08:41

Mark meets... Peter Ramage

8/27/2020
In this week’s episode, Mark catches up with former Newcastle United, QPR and Crystal Palace defender, Peter Ramage. On the pod, Peter talks about the start of his playing career at his beloved Newcastle United and speaks of his time under coaches such as Alan Irvine, Graeme Souness, Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson. Peter also shares his journey on becoming a coach and tells us about his role with Pheonix Rising in Arizona. This is a brilliant episode so sit back and enjoy! For more...

Duration:00:51:24

Mark meets... Paul Davis

8/13/2020
In this week’s episode, Paul talks about the beginning of his playing career and his early days with Arsenal, the impact of playing alongside First Teamers such as Liam Brady, Tony Adams, David Rocastle and Ian Wright. Paul also talks in-depth about the infamous league title victory at Anfield in 1989, his time coaching at Kettering Town with Paul Gascoigne and Paul talks about his current coaching role at The FA. For more information about grassroots football coaching in Berks & Bucks,...

Duration:01:09:08

Mark meets... Graham Westley

7/30/2020
In this week’s episode, we look back to late last year when Rivo caught up with former Preston, and then Stevenage manager, Graham Westley. On the pod, Graham talks about the start of this playing career with QPR, representing England at U18 level and the impact of working under managers such as George Graham and Barry Fry. Graham also discusses the importance of fitness and his preferred style of play. There's also a nod to Graham’s enjoyable time with Aylesbury United in the early...

Duration:01:07:35

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