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15 years ago, Victoria Haigh's daughter told her that her father was sexually abusing her. Incredibly, the girl was taken away from mum and her father was handed sole custody of her. Victoria was accused of coaching the child and being an emotionally abusive mother. A couple of years later, she was sent to prison for breaching a no-contact order after accidentally bumping into her daughter at a service station. Victoria was pregnant at the time, with her second daughter Sapphire.She and Sapphire spent six months in a mother-and-baby unit at New Hall prison near Wakefield. After her release they moved to France where Victoria returned to her career as horse-trainer. In 2021 she was handed bombshell information. She learned that UK Athletics had banned her ex-husband for life for grooming a minor! He had remarried in February 2015 but weeks after the wedding he began sending explicit messages on Facebook to a schoolgirl he had met at Doncaster Athletic Club. The girl reported the situation to her PE teacher, who in turn informed the safeguarding teacher at her school.Victoria has launched a YouTube channel It's called Mother's Nature - How state family court systems remove children and silence mothers. She has also written to MP's - including Rupert Lowe - to offer her advice on grooming gangs and why local authorities are failing children. https://www.youtube.com/@mothersnaturechannelhttps://x.com/HaighVictoria
Sally Munday is CEO of UK Sport, one of the most influential positions in the sports industry. On Friday the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games begins in Milan-Cortina. How many medal will Team GB win? How much will each medal cost? And why does that matter?UK Sport distributors around £100 million annually in public funds from the National Lottery and the Exchequer, supporting high-performance Olympic and Paralympic sports and athletes. For the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle, they have announced a record £330 million investment, with around £11 million distributed directly to athletes annually through Athlete Personal Awards (APAs). Key details regarding UK Sport funding:Total Investment: Around £100 million per year, focused on "top end" elite sport rather than community, with over 860 medals won since 1997.LA 2028 Funding: A record £330 million is designated for the Los Angeles 2028 cycle, supporting over 50 sports, including new additions like Flag Football and Lacrosse.Event Hosting: Over £40 million of National Lottery funding was invested in a £150 million programme to host major international sporting events from 2013-2023.Recent Funding Shifts: While funding remains high, some sports have faced cuts, such as UK Athletics facing a potential 10% reduction in funding.Key Beneficiaries (Recent Cycles): Sports like Rowing (£24.85m) and Sailing (£23.9m) have received significant World Class Programme funding for the 2028 cycle. The money is used to support elite athletes with training, coaching, and living expenses, primarily aimed at achieving success on the world stage. This episode of the Unofficial Partner podcast is brought to you by Sid Lee Sport.Sid Lee Sport is the fame-making creative and sponsorship agency for brands in sport.Through exceptional creativity, deep sponsorship expertise, and flawless on-site delivery, they help brands, sponsors, and rightsholders unlock their full potential in sport - most recently picking up a Leaders Sports Award for their work with Lidl at UEFA EURO 2024.Everything they do is driven by a culture of effectiveness - because in sport, performance matters. Not just on the pitch, but in the work too.So whether you want to build buzz, connect with audiences, or do something that actually cuts through, Sid Lee Sport knows how.Visit sidleesport.com Sid Lee Sport Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 500 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series and live events, you can reach us via the website.
Women like Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes continue to show the world what female coaches can do. But for anyone trying to follow in their footsteps, sport can still feel very much a man's world. According to new report this week, female coaches are twice as likely to be bullied and many are still unpaid.So what needs to change so more female coaches can thrive like Hayes and Wiegman? Is having a female coach in the Premier League the pinnacle? And what are the biggest benefits of having more women in this space?Gabby is joined by Head Coach of England Netball, Jess Thirlby, Performance Director at UK Athletics, Paula Dunn, and Stephanie Hilborne, CEO of Women in Sport, who published the report.
In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle are joined by Ed Warner, former chair of UK Athletics, passionate sports advocate, and now an enthusiastic canicross convert. Ed shares the story of how a desire to stay fit for a family skiing trip led him into the world of running, and eventually to trail adventures with his energetic standard poodle, Trixie. Ed shares with us his entertaining take on learning to canicross: from the early days of training with Trixie, to racing experiences full of surprises, and even some kit confessions. "You think poodles are just fluffy? Mine runs like the wind." Topics and timings 1.10 – how Ed started running (hint: it began with skiing) 3.30 – marathons, ultras, and getting hooked on running 6.00 – Ed's journey into canicross and his first experiences 10.40 – the surprising athleticism of standard poodles 15.00 – training Trixie and early racing stories 18.45 – getting to grips with Canicross commands 21.30 – kit choices and why your waist belt matters 26.00 – building a stronger bond through Canicross 28.40 – training volume and respecting your dog's limits 32.10 – racing plans, ambition, and the fun of chasing goals Resources mentioned CX Run Club Race Calendar: https://www.cxruncalendar.com DogFit harnesses: https://dogfit.co.uk Episode 20 on parkrun changes to rules for dogs Canicross Midlands: https://www.canicrossmidlands.co.uk British Sleddog Sports Federation (BSSF): https://www.thebssf.org.uk
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 22, 2025) – College athletics is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, as Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and revenue-sharing models reshape how universities support student-athletes. This week on "Behind the Blue, our recurring feature The Business of UK continues with an in-depth look at BBNIL, the University of Kentucky's approach to NIL and its collaboration with JMI Sports. On this episode, UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Eric Monday is joined by Mitch Barnhart, UK's Athletics Director, and Paul Archey, president of JMI Sports. Together, they examine how NIL fits into the broader financial ecosystem of college sports and how UK is positioning its student-athletes for success in a rapidly evolving landscape. Barnhart, who has led UK Athletics since 2002, outlines the dramatic changes of the past decade — from cost-of-attendance stipends and academic awards to the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of NIL. He explains that NIL opportunities exist alongside, but separate from, revenue sharing made possible through the House settlement. Under the new framework, UK is participating fully in revenue sharing, with up to $20.5 million available annually, while also working to maximize NIL opportunities for student-athletes through education, partnerships and brand development. Barnhart emphasizes that the goal is both competitive excellence and long-term preparation. "We're creating really good rosters," he says, "and we're giving our young people the best opportunity to monetize and make money for themselves… while also preparing them for what comes next." Archey describes BBNIL as a collaborative, holistic approach that goes beyond individual deals. "BBNIL is a collaboration between us as their multimedia rights partner and the university athletic department to create this structure in which we can provide opportunities — revenue and marketing opportunities — for student-athletes," he explains. That support includes brand development, content creation, compliance navigation and access to long-standing corporate partners across Kentucky and beyond. The episode also addresses common questions about restrictions and flexibility within NIL. Both Barnhart and Archey stress that student-athletes are not limited to a single pathway. Athletes may work through BB-NIL, pursue independent deals, or bring existing agreements to the university for review and support. Throughout the conversation, Monday returns to UK's guiding principles — transparency, accountability and putting students first. He notes that UK's approach to NIL builds on earlier efforts such as financial literacy programs and academic awards designed to help student-athletes manage resources responsibly and leave the university prepared for life beyond competition. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and ideas for future Business of UK episodes by emailing businessofUK@uky.edu. Upcoming installments will focus on the university's $8.7 billion enterprise budget, how it is structured, and how resources are allocated across education, research, health care and service throughout the Commonwealth. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (December 18, 2025) – Strategic partnerships play a critical role in supporting the University of Kentucky's mission, particularly in athletics, where revenue generation, fan engagement and long-term planning are increasingly complex. These complexities are well understood by Paul Archey, president of JMI Sports, the multimedia rights partner for UK Athletics and the university. On this week's episode of "Behind the Blue," Archey joins UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Co-Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Dr. Eric Monday, on another installment of The Business of UK, a recurring feature designed to give listeners a look inside the principles and processes that guide UK's financial and operational decisions. Originally from Greenup, Ky, Archey speaks on how the partnership was formed, why it has continued to evolve, and how its structure supports both UK Athletics and the university as a whole. The conversation also highlights the deep Kentucky roots that underpin the relationship, including the legacy of Jim Host, founder of Host Communications and longtime UK partners who helped shape the modern multimedia rights landscape for college athletics. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and suggestions for future installments of The Business of UK by emailing businessofUK@uky.edu. Upcoming episodes will further explore the changing landscape of college athletics, including a conversation with Archey and UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart about the development of BBNIL (UK Athletics' Name, Image & Likeness strategy), and other topics including budget structure, tuition setting, capital projects and more. "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. "Behind the Blue" is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of "Behind the Blue" can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.
She's had it all - a medal laden elite track career - coaching - overseeing the most successful Para Athletics team ever, building on the success of London 2012 Paralympics - to now Performance Director at UK Athletics. It's "definitely" a dream job says our latest guest on Great British Bosses from Anything but Footy. We finish 2025, by looking back with Paula Dunn and what's in stores in 2026 through to LA 2028 Olympics and Paralympics! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The twitter best friends talk about improvements Kentucky Basketball can make, Mark Pope benching 3 different players, and the latest on JMI. Sak gives scoop about Christian Collins' recruitment, JMI and UK Athletics relationships, and the future of Mitch Barnhart.
Cincinnati sportswriter, Richard Skinner riffs with Kruser in for Jack about the driver's and impacts of the announcement by UK Athletics that UK football Coach, Mark Stoops, was let go on Sunday, 11-30-25. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's difficult woman is the athlete, Dame Denise Lewis. She won gold in the Heptathlon in the 2000 Olympics and has continued to light up our screens with her punditry ever since. Denise is now the president of UK Athletics and is fighting for people not to experience the injustices that she did. Rachel and Denise discuss her tumultuous journey through motherhood and how she carved out a career after the gold.
Join The Real Science of Sport Supporters Club by making a small monthly pledge at Patreon.com. Think of it as buying us a cup of coffee before you listen to us opine on sports news and science! Plus, get access to the best sports science conversations in the world!07:35 - XC at the Winter Games?17:40 - UK Athletics and the cost of FACT22:35 - Mediocre Male Beats Strong Women29:55 - Do Guardian Caps work?39:55 - And Finally - Fine margins in sport & 2 day testsShow notesToday on Spotlight, a news show that begins with a brief look at our recent interview with Travis Tygart, the USADA CEO. Gareth raises an interesting question about USADA's partnership with its athletes and perceived impartiality, and Ross reflects on some of Tygart's strong views.Sebastian Coe is trying to get Cross Country running into the Winter Olympics. It's not on snow or ice, so the Winter Games family are not all that enthusiastic. It would bring new nations to the medal table, but where should the Games draw the line at expansion?Then it's on to some news from the always controversial world of sex in sport. UK Athletics have encouraged all their female athletes to get the SRY screen done to ensure eligibility for women's sport. A good step, but one that comes at a financial cost to the athlete.it's a cost that many would consider worth incurring to protect women's sport, as demonstrated by this week's controversial victory, and then disqualification, of a male in the World's Strongest Woman event in Texas. We pick up on some views expressed by listeners to discuss the relevance of this story, and how Official Strongman, the organization in charge, reacted swiftly and decisively to correct the wrong.Onto the NFL next, for a brief chat about Guardian caps. Promoted as reducing concussion risk by 50%, these soft-shell devices don't appear to have a plausible mechanism by which work, based on recent published research. This leads us to talk about the dilemma faced by sports authorities, who often throw everything they think works at the problem, but can't do robust, quality science to know what might, or might not, be workingAnd finally, we speak about the tiny margins between success and failure, sliding doors moments in sport, and take a brief look at why Test cricket just isn't what it used to be! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Send us a textWelcome back to headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, today we have the honour and privilege to welcome Professor Bill Ribbans. Professor Ribbans is a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor of Sports Medicine, internationally recognised for his decades of work in elite sport and lower-limb orthopaedics. He trained in London, completed Fellowships in Sheffield and at Harvard, and began his Consultant career at the Royal Free before returning to Northampton, where he now works in full-time private practice.A prominent figure in sports medicine, Professor Ribbans has supported organisations such as Northampton Saints, Northampton Town FC, the English National Ballet, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, and UK Athletics—caring for Olympians, world champions, and international teams. Alongside his clinical practice, he remains actively involved in concussion research and athlete welfare, contributing to national conversations on head-injury management while supporting the safety-driven work of Progressive Rugby and Luca Health.He has published more than 150 scientific papers and authored several books, including Knife in the Fast Lane, which blends autobiography with reflections on his 40 years working at the crossroads of medicine and sport. 01:50 - Professor Ribbans Journey into Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery?03:40 - Biggest Challenges Working as Team physician07:33 – Is There an Over Emphasis on Return to Play Causing Increased Injuries? 12:35 – Return to Play Pressures 14:00 – Culture Around Injuries16:51 – What is a Concussion?19:47 – Process of a Head Injury Assessment (HIA)27:15 – Advocacy's for Youth Sports35:10 – Implementation of Education Around Concussion in Youth Sports43:10 – Advice for Parent and Coaches49:30 – Most Rewarding Aspects of Professor Ribbans Job52:10 – Where We Can Find Professor Ribbans Progressive Rugby: https://www.progressiverugby.comLuca Health: https://luca.healthBooks:- Knife In The Fast Lane : A Surgeon's Perspective from the Sharpe End of Sport- A Plague on All Your Sports: When Sport and the Pandemic Collided Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop weekly Social media:Twitter: @first concussionFacebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcastInstagram: Headfirst_ Concussion Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com
Kruser in for Jack on a Monday morning talking to Jeff Sheppard of Family Wealth Group gaining first hand experience of the Big Blue Madness this past Saturday. UK Athletics official kick-off party for the 2026 basketball season!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 95 James ElsonFor anyone in the UK endurance scene this man shouldn't really need an introduction. He's quite possibly one of the most influential figures of trail running in the UK over the last decade. James is the RD and founder of Centurion Running, host of the British Ultra Running Podcast and is a member of the ‘Mountain and Trail' strategy group at UK Athletics. We chat about talent spotting, TDG and much, much more in this episode. Thanks again to all of you for listening. If you have a moment please, like, subscribe and if you have a few seconds more, perhaps write a short review. It's all a great help to us in growing the audience and is very much appreciated!Jay and Lewis#trailanderror #centurionrunning
Weird Wednesday with Steven Peake! What can UK Athletics do to make Kroger Field more jumping? Is it simply playing cat noises throughout the stadium? Probably not, but we discuss
Diane Edwards (Modahl) was one of Britain's brightest middle-distance stars, a Commonwealth gold medallist and four-time Olympian whose remarkable career was thrown into turmoil when she was wrongly accused of doping in 1994. What followed was a devastating two-year battle to clear her name – a fight that cost her financially, emotionally, and professionally – but could not break her spirit.In this compelling and emotional conversation, Diane shares:Growing up in Manchester as the daughter of Jamaican parents and discovering her talent for athleticsThe golden years of her career, winning Commonwealth gold and setting a British record over 800mThe traumatic moment her life changed forever when she was falsely accused of dopingThe brutal cost – financially, emotionally, and reputationally – of proving her innocenceWhy she still hasn't received an apology from UK Athletics to this dayHer remarkable resilience in returning to international competition and representing Great Britain againThe powerful work she now leads to create opportunities for young people in sportThis is a story of extraordinary talent, unthinkable injustice, and relentless determination to fight for truth and fairness in sport.Thank you to Sport England who support The Game Changers Podcast with a National Lottery award.Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here: https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangersHosted by Sue AnstissProduced by Sam Walker, What Goes On MediaA Fearless Women production
Kentucky Roll Call plays Corey Price Trivia and then the fellas sound off on UK Athletics and have a fun discussion about John Wall and Mikel Brown
Recap Monday! TBT Cats are still dancing and we discuss the two wins, Open Championship and is UK Athletics focusing too much on basketball?
Peaking your Interest with Steven Peake! The biggest "What Ifs" in UK Athletics history. Plus, the latest with UK football recruiting and our takes on the population of Iran and Sophie Cunningham
We all saw the announcement about Champions Blue, LLC. But what is it? What does it do? We weren't sure so we were happy to be joined by a guest who was. Clay Grayson, a nationally recognized attorney specializing in nonprofit and for-profit organizational strategy was kind enough to share his insights. Listen to find out why UK Athletics' bold move made his head spin in a good way. Million Podcasts revealed some of their Kentucky Wildcats and SEC football podcast rankings. Where did we stack up? Go Cats!! Follow and subscribe!
We look back at a busy weekend - baseball, softball and a formal dedication of Historic Memorial Coliseum; (10:00) ex-Cat Van Hiles on Maxwell Hairston becoming a #1 draft pick; (19:00) UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart on the new LLC incorporated into UK Athletics; (39:00) UK co-D Coordinator Chris Collins on Hairston and Deone Walker heading for Buffalo...
Larry talks to Danny Fulton from Locust Street Advisory about the potential of UK Athletics starting their own LLC and the stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in hour 2. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send us a textA Few More Laps is a compilation of stories and thoughts about high level distance running and training. A Few More Laps is a compilation of stories and thoughts about high level distance running and training . The book starts with a little about David and how he started running and his experience in the club environment in the UK, and later takes a deep dive into several areas David was exposed to through running and coaching, including the path to international level running (and how it can be hard to make that final leap), some history and Davids experience setting up a training camp in Kenya, and stories and thoughts from his long coaching career and some experiences he had being an agent.David is a runner and coach with over 40 years experience, and 20 years in coaching with a focus on longer distances, up to the marathon. In recent years he has coached more sub 2.25 marathoners than perhaps any other current UK coach, and currently coaches up to national elite level (28 minute 10k to 2.15 marathon). Qualified at Level 4 (Performance - 10k to Marathon) within UK Athletics coaching system, he has extensive and diverse practical experience to support the formal qualifications. Formerly he was one of England Athletics Area Coach Mentors in Endurance. He has managed numerous elite runners, both African professionals and GB internationals, at big city marathons such as Berlin, Istanbul, Seville, and Lahore . He has also acted as England Marathon National Team Manager. A Few More Laps is not Davids first book; he also wrote Improve Your Marathon and Half Marathon Running. If you would like to get a copy of the book, it is only available through the author and can be found here: https://runcoach1to1.com/product/a-few-more-laps/Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkoutSupport the showAny feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_runningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews
It's officially that time again: The spreadsheets are out and the ranking formulas are loaded. Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia have returned with the kind of number crunching that would make a tax accountant blush.Yes — we're talking about The Ten, and more broadly, the increasingly anxiety-inducing state of the 10,000 meters heading into the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.Because apparently World Athletics took one look at the event and said, ‘What if we made this harder, more confusing, and fully dependent on vibes, shoe tech, and whether your country's federation knows how to read the rankings page?'So here we are. The women's standard dropped to a vicious 30:20.00. The men's remains at a world-class 27:00.00. And unless you're from Kenya or Ethiopia—or somehow running 10Ks on the road in super shoes fast enough to melt tarmac—you're probably counting on the whims of the World Rankings gods to punch your ticket to Tokyo.In the U.S., Weini Kelati is still the queen of consistency. Parker Valby and Karissa Schweizer skipped The Ten entirely. Elise Cranny has re-entered the picture and Jessica McClain quietly garnered some valuable points by PR'ing by half a minute.On the men's side, it's a little simpler: Grant Fisher, Nico Young, Graham Blanks, and Woody Kincaid are qualified. All they have to do is battle at USAs.There's still time. A 10K at Mt. SAC is coming. Maybe Pre will host a last-minute 10K. So let's break down who's up, who's down, who's close and who's hoping UK Athletics doesn't screw them over again.Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSKETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It's used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.
Episode 179: In this episode of our Sport Performance Leadership Podcast, host Pete McKnight speaks to Barry Shillabeer, a globally experienced sports performance leader with over two decades in elite sport. As Head of Performance at Aspire Academy of Sporting Excellence in Qatar, Barry leads multidisciplinary teams, optimizing athlete development, strategic planning, and performance evaluation. Previously, Barry played a key role in British high-performance sport, holding leadership positions with the English Institute of Sport, British Swimming, UK Athletics, and the Rugby Football Union. He also served as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Team GB at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, contributing to legacy facility design and long-term performance strategies. Topics Discussed: Leadership in elite sports performance – Managing high-performance programs in the UK and Qatar The evolution of leadership – Adapting leadership styles to different teams and challenges The importance of human connection and trust – Building strong relationships with athletes, coaches, and staff Organizational structures and processes – Ensuring efficiency in performance support, sport science, and data analytics Transformational leadership and impact – Creating positive sports cultures and inspiring future generations The value of continuous learning – Seeking mentorship, embracing new perspectives, and evolving as a leader Practical advice for aspiring leaders – Technical proficiency, work ethic, and proactive goal-setting Tune in for expert insights on leadership, athlete development, and the future of high-performance sport. - Where you can find Barry: • LinkedIn • Instagram • X - Sponsors Hytro: The world's leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport. Remaker: The Portable Strength Tracking Ecosystem. Remaker provides real-time insights to optimise your performance, making even the smallest improvements in your strength training visible in an engaging and powerful format. Remakers integrate seamlessly with the exercise equipment you already use, and the app provides meaningful metrics for every rep, of every set, of every exercise. VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training. - Where to Find Us Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on: Instagram Twitter Our Website - Our Team Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie Dylan Carmody Steve Barrett Pete McKnight
In this episode of the Big Success Podcast, legendary coach Frank Dick shares his philosophy on success, coaching, and personal growth. He discusses the dangers of complacency, explaining why success should never be seen as an endpoint but rather as a continuous pursuit of excellence. Frank emphasizes the importance of adapting and evolving winning strategies, managing both failure and success, and embracing challenges as the ultimate motivation. Drawing from his experiences coaching top athletes and working with leaders like Sir Alex Ferguson, he highlights the key differences between high performers and true champions.About Frank Dick:Frank Dick is a world-renowned coach, speaker, and leadership mentor, widely recognized for his expertise in high-performance coaching. As the former Director of Coaching for UK Athletics, he played a crucial role in shaping the careers of elite athletes. Beyond sports, he now mentors coaches and business leaders, helping them build winning mindsets and strategies. With decades of experience, Frank is a sought-after authority on success, resilience, and continuous improvement, inspiring individuals across industries to achieve greatness.Learn more: https://www.frankdick.co.uk/About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter
In this exciting episode titled "Democratizing Human Skills in the Workplace: From Theory to Practical Action," I'm joined by Michaela Reaney, a leader in learning and development with over 16 years of experience working with global organizations like Rio Tinto, AWS, and UK Athletics. Michaela shares her insights into why human skills—such as empathy, communication, and navigating tough conversations—are just as critical for leadership success as technical expertise.As the founder of Opportunity Global and a tech venture in the US, Michaela is on a mission to make leadership development accessible to all. She's also the founder of TEDxTeessideWomen, a platform for women, non-binary individuals, and allies to share ideas and connect. Her personal experiences of scaling businesses, overcoming burnout, and driving inclusive leadership bring a unique perspective to the conversation.Listen in as Michaela provides actionable strategies on how we can all develop these essential human skills to foster more conscious, resilient, and inclusive leadership.
Kevin Stinnett from The Bourbon Flight talks to Kruser about a new surgeon general's warning being put on bourbon bottles in Kentucky and now there is an official NIL bourbon for UK Athletics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan strap in for 2025, exploring what's worth knowing in the global sports industry this week.They're joined by Ed Warner, Chair of UK Athletics between 2007 and 2017 and current Chair of GB Wheelchair Rugby and the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships, to discuss who'll be the next President of the International Olympic Committee and the routes to victory for the seven candidates in the race. Warner sets up the background to March's election, as outlined in his Sport Inc. newsletter.There's also time to discuss a proposal to turn Test cricket into a two-tier system; the dynamics of European basketball as IMG renews with the Euroleague; and whether China might be refocusing on football.To subscribe to Worth Knowing, the weekly sports industry newsletter from Leaders, visit: leadersinsport.com/newsletters
Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today's trends
UK Sport has slashed UK Athletics' funding for the Los Angeles Olympic cycle by nearly £1.75 million - and the organisation isn't happy. It's an 8 percent cut, and there's concerns it will impact funding for training camps and athletic coaches. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacks the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rando and Salena work backwards to recap UK Athletics winning week:Kenny B's Lady BBall Cats Down Louisville;Cutter shines in the second half vs Murray State;and the massive Championship Classic win as The Kentucky Mark Popes upset the Pooper Flagg Puke Devils. Sponsored by: State Line Co (statelineco.shop) X: @StateLineCoPromo Code: BleedBlue for 10% off purchase
In this episode, we have an exciting interview with Mitch Barnhart, Athletics Director at the University of Kentucky. Mitch discusses his journey to Lexington and the significant changes the city and the university have undergone over the years. He delves into the transformation of UK's athletic facilities, the impact of sports business, and the importance of engaging the community. Mitch also highlights the unique relationship between UK and Lexington, emphasizing the vital role the university plays in the city's development and culture. Additionally, Mitch shares personal insights on his tenure and future aspirations, making this a must-watch for those interested in the intersection of athletics, education, and urban growth. 00:00 Introduction to Develop Lex 00:05 Interview with Mitch Barnhart Begins 00:26 The Role of Athletics in Lexington's Development 01:21 Mitch Barnhart's Background and Journey 01:52 The Evolution of Sports Business 07:19 The Unique Integration of Sports and Education 08:07 Sponsorship Message from SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate 08:57 Changes in Athletics Administration Over 22 Years 14:12 Facility Upgrades and Their Impact 19:44 University of Kentucky's Community Integration 22:55 Impact of Campus Development on Local Economy 23:34 Preserving Lexington's Unique Vibe 24:31 Balancing University Priorities 24:57 Master Plan and Facility Upgrades 27:58 Funding and Financial Strategies 32:37 Future Projects and Innovations 36:25 Personal Reflections and Community Involvement 40:17 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude Subscribe to the DevelopLex newsletter here Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross Boggess DevelopLex is proud to be supported by: Community Trust Bank SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate Craftsmen Contractors Learn more about Middle Tech and our network of shows at MiddleTech.com Intro music by SmithTheMister
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All week long The Sports Agents have been building up to the start of The 2024 Paris Olympics... London Mayor Sadiq Khan sat down with Gabby to reflect on the real legacy of London 2012, why he wants to bring the Games back to the capital and as more and more international sporting events come to the UK, if Premier League games will go the other way? Earlier in the week, Andy Anson - British Olympic Association Chief Executive - explained what makes brand 'Team GB' so unique in world sport. And the former Olympian Jack Buckner, now head of UK Athletics, explained how the sport can evolve to protect its own future, despite a 'golden generation' of British athletes.Got a question about the Olympics for Gabby & Mark - email (or send a voice-note) to us at thesportsagents@global.com New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
Vicky is an experienced Coach and Coaching Consultant, as well as the founder of the Female Coaching Network. As an advocate for better coaching, Vicky has spent the last 20 years examining how coaches develop and how to create a safe and effective high performance environment for all. Her work with the Female Coaching Network has changed the sporting landscape not just for women who coach, but for those who are coached; from the creation and delivery of the first ever fully paid coaching internship with Premier League Football club Tottenham Hotspur, to consulting Nike, UK Athletics, Athletics Canada and World Athletics, in creating cultural and systemic changes for a safer and fairer environment for elite athletes and coaches in Track & Field. And this is why I'm excited to bring this conversation to the Untapped Potential. Vicky is passionate in creating real and sustainable change in sport, and not just deliver tick box projects. Talking Points: Fix a system, not the women What does the sports system actually mean Sport is a tool, not the be-all and end-all Low numbers of female coaches but high success rate Adapt coaching style - coach the person not the sport Sport is not separate from society Sport needs to be held accountable A Federations job is to cater for the athlete If you enjoy this episode please leave a review on iTunes or Spotify platforms, and by doing this you will actively help spread this content to the practitioners that need it. Resources: Coaching 1-2-1 and group: Read Full Details Practitioner Rites of Passage Flow Genome Project Dr Joe Dispenza min-body research Conversation for the context of Dr Joe Dispenza's work FCN in the recent Guardian article The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Alice Milliat Women's World Games Connect with Vicky: Female Coaching Network Linkedin X Instagram
In a week where:The General Election goes down.Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran presidential election.French Left coalition New Popular Front win French Parliamentary elections.Sir Lewis Hamilton wins a record 9th British Grand Prix.Hurricane Beryl rips through The Caribbean & Southern US.In Politics: (6:52) With the dust settled on the General Election - and in effort to talk about stories/commentary that aren't being brought up in regular news - the left is making ground and with the way Tory Lite are going, can fill in a gap. (Article By Nicholas Beuret)In the first of two Sports segments: (23:07) The Team GB Athletics squad has been announced and some athletes who didn't make the cut are being very vocal about the unfair nature of it all. (Article By Jeremy Wilson)In the 2nd Sports segment: (33:11) UK Athletics have faced the situation head on and the UKA Chair pens a response. So who is on the right here? (Article By Ian Beattie) Lastly, in Health: (48:54) I can be a bit of a daydreamer; I love staring into empty space, but is it all part of something called Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome? (Article By Alex Nurse)Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"Rate & ReviewE-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter & IG: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://medium.com/@the5thelementIntro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop MusicOther Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence
THE BAT CATS PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE COLLEGE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!! We discuss where this ranks amongst the top moments in UK Athletics recent history and why this team has united so much of BBN.
Jack Buckner is the former two Olympic Games athlete and 5000 metre European Champion who is now CEO of UK Athletics, the governing body for track and field in Britain. Buckner has held the same position at British Triathlon and more recently British Swimming. This followed a career in sports marketing at Adidas, in the UK, Germany and the US.The impetus for our conversation was a recent announcement that UKA was entering a three way partnership with London Marathon Events and the Great North Run, to create a new group, called Athletic Ventures. This new organisation is set against the backdrop of the governing body reporting a record annual loss of £3.7m in 2023. Most of that deficit was due to the staging of major events. UKA was awarded up to £150,000 by UK Sport to help stage the Diamond League meeting last year, after it approached the funding agency for help. Despite it being a sellout, UKA is reported to have lost between £100,000 and £500,000 from the flagship event.In this interview, Buckner talks candidly about the future of track and field, World Athletics recent decision to pay athletes at this summer's Olympic Games and his aspiration to create the Glastonbury of Track and Field. Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 300 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.
From basketball roster construction, Cats in the NFL Draft, and baseball's big series against Arkansas, Michelle Knezovic and Andrew try to make sense of it all and get you ready for a big weekend in Lexington!
Lauren Jeska was a fell runner. As a transgender athlete, she had been asked to provide evidence of hormone levels after historical complaints to UK Athletics that she had an unfair advantage competing in women's events because she had been born a man. The policy of the governing body required the athlete to take a blood test, but she took exception to this and feared being unable to compete. Lauren saw this as an attack on her life and decided to take drastic action. Find out more about the UK True Crime Podcast: https://uktruecrime.com Writing Credit: Megan Grant. See Megan's work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megathachristie/?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg%3D%3D Buy tickets for my live show on 2 June https://www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/murder-aint-easy/ Join me at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/UKTrueCrime Join the UK True Crime Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UKTrueCrime Buy my book 'Gone Fishing' about serial killer Angus Sinclair: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gone-Fishing-Unsolved-Crimes-Sinclair/dp/1914277201 Sources https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/bris-legends-interviews-ralph-knibbs/ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qyGzDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA168&dq=Lauren+jeska&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjKttbz26CFAxVuVEEAHQKIDtwQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=Lauren%20jeska&f=false https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-updates-champion-runner-lauren-12738157 https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/female-athlete-who-tried-murder-11925181 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/17/jailed-transgender-fell-runner-thought-uk-athletics-was-trying-to-kill-her https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39266777 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/14/champion-runner-lauren-jeska-jailed-for-attempted-of-uk-athletics-official-ralph-knibbs https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/01/27/trans-prisoners-scotland-uk/ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/update-on-changes-to-transgender-prisoner-policy-framework#:~:text=The%20placement%20of%20transgender%20prisoners,prisoners%20according%20to%20their%20wishes. https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/39443-transgender-prisoners-what-do-britons-think-should https://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/why-study-at-bcu/living-in-birmingham/facts-you-didnt-know https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northwest/series11/week5_manchester_second_city.shtml https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/about-us/latest-news/former-rolls-royce-hr-director-joins-derbyshire-healthcare-board https://www.alexander-stadium.co.uk https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-rugby-star-ralph-knibbs-9198
Erin Coffel stops by to talk about UK Softball and her home run and RBI records that she captured this season. We also look ahead to a big weekend across UK Athletics!
George is off to Glasgow this week for world indoors!! In this week's episode we cover Noah Lyles' new contract, preview world indoors, reveal Grant's actual girl, chat about the prodigal Cam Myers vs. Jakob, and reveal some of our plans this year with manager Tom.Hope you guys enjoy!Follow us here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeclubpod/Morgan McDonald: https://www.instagram.com/morganmcdonald__/Olli Hoare: https://www.instagram.com/ollihoare/George Beamish: https://www.instagram.com/georgebeamish/Guest:Tom Wang: https://www.instagram.com/womtang/Coffee Club Merch: https://coffeeclubpod.comMorgan's discord: https://discord.gg/uaCSeHDpgsMorgan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MorganMcDonaldisaloserIntro Artwork by The Orange Runner: https://www.instagram.com/theorangerunner/Intro Music by Nick Harris: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Zab8WxvAPsDlhlBTcbuPi
This this episode of the Rox Lyfe podcast we get to chat with Sam Bilbie. At the time of recording Sam has only been racing in HYROX for a year. But in that time she's achieved a lot – breaking the Open and Pro world records for her age group, won the 2023 World Championships in her age group, and was also part of the mixed relay team who broke the world record in London. In her most recent individual Pro race she ran an incredible time of 1:07 – and she's done all of this, as a mum, at the age of 49. She's also a UK Athletics endurance coach, has competed on a national level in running and in this chat we talk about her sporting background, and her training, her thoughts around running training, and running technique, for people preparing for HYROX, and lots more. It was a great chat, and I really hope you enjoy it.
Andrew M Jones PhD DSc is Professor of Applied Physiology in the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter. He's internationally recognized for his research in the control of, and limitations to, skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism; causes of exercise intolerance in health and disease; respiratory physiology, particularly the kinetics of pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation during and following exercise; and sports performance physiology and nutrition, particularly in relation to endurance athletics. Prof Jones has authored more than 350 original research and review articles (>38K citations) and is co-Editor of three books. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, the European College of Sport Science, and the Physiological Society. Jones is Editor-in-Chief of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise and serves on the Editorial Board of six other international journals in sports medicine and exercise science. Prof Jones has acted as a consultant to a number of governing bodies of sport or commercial companies including UK Athletics, the English Institute of Sport, Gatorade Sports Science Institute and Nike Inc. He's been an advisor and consultant to the Breaking 2 and INEOS projects with Eluid Kipchoge and professional endurance athletes including Paula Radcliff. Professor Jones gives his understanding of the evidence of the performance effect of the so called “super shoes” and whether they explain the recent pro marathon runner excess performance and if so, by how much. Amateur marathon runners may find interesting our exchange about the Boston Marathon and how it is getting harder to get into, and what amateur marathoners must do to enhance performance in order to qualify and get into the Boston Marathon today. Professor Jones gives his perspective on the popularized notion that when it comes to marathon training “volume is king” and if not, what would be the alternative. We talk about distance runners that are getting older, and how Professor Jones recommends changing training, if at all, for those looking to remain competitive. Finally, we talk about science and evidence-based nutrition protocol throughout the training cycle and pre-race and race nutrition. About Andrew Jones https://sshs.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Andrew_Jones Twitter/X https://twitter.com/AndyBeetroot Find Us:Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EventHorizon.TvTwitter: https://twitter.com/EventHorizonTvInstagram: https://instagram.com/eventhorizon.tvYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EventHorizonTvSupport Us:https://Patreon.com/Endurancehttps://paypal.me/EnduranceExperience
This is part of our Squeezed Middle series on the strategic options available to the people running professional sport.The focus in this episode is the impact of those choices on the commercial income and capital value of sports teams, leagues and federations. Our guests are Ben Wells and Andrew Umbers.Ben is CEO of PTI Digital, the strategy and technology consultancy. Andrew is co-founder and partner of Oakwell Sports Advisory, the leading strategic and financial advisor in sports and sports technology. Andrew was formerly MD at Credit Suisse and more recently, he served as Chairman at Leeds United.You can hear the previous episodes in the Squeezed Middle series by searching Unofficial Partner in Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast app.What is the Squeezed Middle?There is a small global elite of sports rights holders which are doing just fine. Billions of dollars in media revenue chases must-see content, from the NFL in the US, Premier League in England, the IPL in India through to the major quadrennial extravaganzas such as Olympics and World Cups. Likewise, there are clubs and institutions in the lower reaches of the sporting pyramid for whom not much has changed and who cut their cloth according to the local demand for traditional revenue generators such as sponsorship, match day tickets and merchandise.It's the middle of the market where much of the pain is being felt. The situation was described in a recent essay by our guest Ben Wells:'Economic crises tend to cause money to move in one of two ways: to quality or to price. Those in the middle, who are not able to compete on either front, are squeezed.In the last 12 months, not one major Olympic NGB was able to sign a primary sponsor, with the biggest deal of the year – British Cycling's tier-two sponsorship with Shell – bringing significant amounts of criticism. In parallel Müller ended its long-running main sponsorship of UK Athletics after seven years. UK Athletics is currently teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.This isn't a situation unique to athletics. Headlines in rugby, cricket and the second and third tiers of football report of similar tales of woe – the result of unsustainable commercial models – trying to grow revenues in a business built around live events, which are limited by number and venue capacity and whose cost-bases are rising with rampant inflation – are the norm."Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter @UnffclPrtnrWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 300 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.
The R2NG cast has A LOT to talk about: #ZBigFree, IU series is back, Kentucky falls to UGA, Stoops makes some silly goose comments, and Kentucky looks to move on with a big game against Mizzou.
The Commonwealth Games is in crisis, without a host city for 2026 and possibly beyond. The last Olympic Games bidding process received just two hosting bids, with Paris and Los Angeles awarded 2024 and 2028 respectively. Beyond that 2032 has one current bidder. Five potential host cities for the 2022 Winter Olympics withdrew after voter referendums and public polling indicated a lack of local support. So where are we in sport's relationship with its hosts?Have sports events become just too big? Too expensive, too inflexible, out of synch with the climate crisis, lacking a clear return on investment for the cities and countries that host them, and leaving a questionable legacy in their wake. These questions don't apply to authoritarian regimes such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China, which gets to a difficult question for major sports rights holders: what are they for? We've lined up three major event experts to discuss these issues:Esther Britten is UK Sport's Deputy Director and is the Head of Major Events at the , responsible for the UK's major sporting event hosting strategy, strategically programming and investing on behalf of the UK government to ensure the UK continues to host the the most significant and impactful major international sporting events. Ed Warner was formerly chair of UK Athletics and holds the same role for the GB Wheelchair Rugby.Angus Buchanan is co-founder of The Sports Consultancy and TSC Legal.This episode is brought to you by our good friends at Leaders. Leaders Week London returns this October - so mark your diaries.This year it will be from 16 to 19 October, just 6 weeks away.For those who don't know, Leaders Week London is so much more than just your average conference - it's a 4-day festival of industry insight, connection building and relationship nurturing. And its fun! The Summit part of Leaders Week, will be held at Twickenham Stadium on 18th and 19th October.And the good news is UP listeners get a special discount. Use UP15 for a 15% discount on your Summit passes - visit leadersinsport.com/UP for more information.We will see you there! Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter @UnffclPrtnrWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 300 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.
How is sport impacted by the cost of living crisis?The answer depends on where you are in the marketplace.The small global elite of sports rights holders are doing just fine. Billions of dollars in media revenue chases must-see content, from the NFL in the US, Premier League in England, the IPL in India through to the major quadrennial extravaganzas such as Olympics and World Cups. Likewise, there are clubs and institutions in the lower reaches of the sporting pyramid for whom not much has changed and who cut their cloth according to the local demand for traditional revenue generators such as sponsorship, match day tickets and merchandise.It's the middle of the market where much of the pain is being felt. The situation was described in a recent essay by Ben Wells:'Economic crises tend to cause money to move in one of two ways: to quality or to price. Those in the middle, who are not able to compete on either front, are squeezed.In the last 12 months, not one major Olympic NGB was able to sign a primary sponsor, with the biggest deal of the year – British Cycling's tier-two sponsorship with Shell – bringing significant amounts of criticism. In parallel Müller ended its long-running main sponsorship of UK Athletics after seven years. UK Athletics is currently teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.This isn't a situation unique to athletics. Headlines in rugby, cricket and the second and third tiers of football report of similar tales of woe – the result of unsustainable commercial models.And all rights-holders in the Squeezed Middle need to be taking note. Economists predict the Cost-of-Living Crisis will last possibly until 2028, and those unsustainable models – trying to grow revenues in a business built around live events, which are limited by number and venue capacity and whose cost-bases are rising with rampant inflation – are the norm."Today's podcast is the first in a series created in collaboration with PTI Digital, the strategy and technology consultancy. Our guests are Ben Wells and Charlie Simpson.Ben is CEO of PTI Digital and previously held senior commercial roles at Chelsea FC, Reading FC and Bath Rugby.Charlie Simpson is a former rugby player turned chartered accountant who moved from EY to Scottish Rugby and leads on commercial strategy for the governing body.Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter @UnffclPrtnrWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 300 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.
Christopher McDougal's latest book, Born To Run 2, revisits the barefoot and minimalist movement that upended the world of running over a decade ago when he published his first book Born To Run in 2009. But what does the latest research say and is running barefoot the key to running nirvana?SHOW NOTES:Sean Ingle's report after UK Athletics announced a “non-policy” recognition of the trans women issue and were corrected by EHRC: The statement by the Equality and Human Rights commissionThe Peter Bol doping story, as submitted by Patron Joshua StaceyThe Connor Benn doping clearance story, with much to be discussed and determinedThe WADA study on clomiphene in eggs: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2021.1949497The twitter thread that speculates about the use of biomechanics as a way to identify a doperThe article that is skeptical about barefoot runningStudy on stiffness of tendons in cushioned vs minimalist runnersOne of the reviews showing no injury risk difference between shod and barefoot runnersStudy showing successful transition to barefoot running in 71% of runners with a 20 week transition programmeNic Tam's study on individual responses to barefoot runningNic's second paper on how individuals respond to a barefoot running programmeNic's third paper on the effect of fatigue on biomechanics when barefoot vs shod Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.