Play Their Way Podcast

Dive deep into the shift in play culture over generations and discover as a coach how you can champion free play.

From his days at Parkour UK to his impactful leadership at Play England, Eugene shares invaluable insights on nurturing children and young people’s love for sport and physical activity, and how YOU can be the change.

Tune in, inspire, and let children #PlayTheirWay!

Danielle 'Nolli' Waterman, an icon of England Rugby, invites listeners on a nostalgic journey back to the essence of child-driven play. 

Reflecting on her own childhood, the guidance of pivotal mentors, her storied sporting journey, and coaching experiences, Nolli emphasises the profound role of free play, exploration, and creativity. Chatting with host Laura-Jane Jones, delve into the lessons and memories that shaped Nolli's unique perspective. Listen as this seasoned player-turned-coach unveils insights on nurturing natural passion in young people and guiding them to authentically #PlayTheirWay!

Journey into the heart of children's rights with Laura-Jane Jones and Professor Laura Lundy, celebrated for her internationally acclaimed Lundy Model and her work with organisations like the UN and UNICEF. 

Tune in for practical tips and strategies every coach needs to truly empower and engage young people. Learn how, by respecting their rights – from giving them a voice and seeking their opinions to allowing them to lead sessions – you can enhance the sporting experience. Through Laura’s insights, discover the power of genuinely letting every child #PlayTheirWay!

Tune in to a must-listen episode with Nick Levett, a grassroots football coach who understands that coaching is more than just shaping athletes – it's about nurturing better individuals. Boasting over 25 years of experience with roles such as 'National Manager for Youth Football' at the FA, Head of Coaching at UK Coaching, and positions at a Premier League club, Nick's journey is rich with insights.

Join Laura-Jane Jones in this captivating episode as Nick delves into co-creating with children, involving parents, and the magic of rolling out engaging games. Invaluable for children's coaches from all sports, it’s packed with practical tips to make sessions more enjoyable and ensure children can't wait to come back for more. Coaches, immerse yourself in a mix of hands-on experience and strategies, ensuring every child gets to #PlayTheirWay!

As one of the most passionate grassroots supporters of our campaign, Sion shares his coaching tales of what happens when you embrace children’s creativity, the profound impact of the child-first philosophy, and the importance of the Play Their Way community.

For coaches keen to amplify their impact, this episode offers a lens into a world where children lead, learn, and passionately #PlayTheirWay!

Jemima shares her story of founding the Tadcaster Stingrays, having seen the lack of opportunities for her brother Will, who has Downs Syndrome. This episode is packed with personal experience and thought-provoking advice on how to champion every young person’s needs and experiences in sport and physical activity by respecting them as the experts on themselves.

For coaches who are keen to create truly inclusive environments for children, this episode offers a roadmap to help you #PlayTheirWay!

Justyn discusses how he came to the realisation that “we can’t be in a world where children can’t play if they want to” after his son couldn’t find a football club to join, and about his journey to setting up an inclusive, child-first club for his son and other children in the local community, The Hawks. If you want to be reminded why you got into coaching in the first place, this is for you!

CK talks about the importance of free play in sporting environments, of treating each young person as an individual and connecting with young people through fun and playfulness. 

For coaches keen to connect with diverse groups of young people, this episode offers a rousing call to build bridges and #PlayTheirWay.

David is an experienced coach who is passionate about children’s growth and participation, so much so that he created a concept and penned a book called Scoreboard Soccer, which is a way to engage children in football through games which can be co-created or invented by children and young people. 

If you’re looking for new ways to encourage children to take the lead in their own play, this is a great place to start.

Zoya is the Senior Impact and Evaluation Officer at Chance to Shine, one of the members of the Children’s Coaching Collaborative (17 organisations which drive the Play Their Way movement). Originally from Pakistan and Texas, Zoya has found her place in between. She has an MSc Human Rights and Politics from the London School of Economics, and is interested in the relationship between sport and children's rights worldwide.

If you want to #PlayTheirWay for every child, this episode offers a glimpse into a more inclusive, hopeful future for children’s coaching.