Love What You Play

Owen McBride is an accomplished athlete who recently founded Private Coaching Co. alongside his team to create positive sport experiences for youth athletes of all skill levels and ages.

In this episode, we talk about Owen's journey as a decorated soccer player as well as playing other sports, receiving 2 silver medals in the AAA Provincial Championships, a bronze medal in the Sportcheck Canadian National Championship, and a silver medal in the BC Summer Games. We also discuss how his story motivated him to change the sport experience for millions of kids worldwide with Private Coaching Co., which aims to provide one-on-one and small group sports training sessions.

Table of Contents

00:00 - Introduction

01:15 - Where Owen grew up and his opinion on playing multiple sports

03:21 - What makes sports fun

05:56 - Being forced to specialize in a sport at a young age and why Owen chose soccer over baseball

09:11 - Why Owen began the journey of Private Coaching Co., single-sport burnout, and the physical and mental tolls of the elite sports environment

13:46 - The balance of sports and social life, encouraging being stress-free and making mistakes

16:31 - Early specialization sports injuries and guided warm-ups

19:08 - The stigma of the word ‘elite’ at younger ages

21:34 - Lack of multi-sport and athletic capabilities in young children

25:03 - What type of programs and coaches Private Coaching Co. offers and the goal to expand beyond North Vancouver

29:35 - The vision for Private Coaching Co. 5 years from now and Owen’s aspiration to reach millions of kids

31:07 - What the better normal could be for sports versus what it was before COVID-19

33:56 - Parental pressure on kids to pursue specific sports, Owen’s motto to allow kids to be in the "driver’s seat"

36:48 - Competing with video games and E-sports, and the need for kids to be active

41:10 - Inclusivity and affordability in sports

42:53 - Upcoming Private Coaching Co. summer clinics

44:31 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Kris Beech is a former NHL alumni, mindfulness facilitator, and the founder and CEO of Aimability.

In this episode, we talk about his journey in hockey from being drafted 7th overall, to playing in the NHL (including playing on the same line with Mario Lemieux), to his pro experience in Europe and transition to completing a masters in Sports Management - and how his thesis is now coming to fruition through the Aimability platform.

Table of Contents

00:00 - Introduction

01:30 - Where Kris grew up and what sports he played as a kid

07:10 - His path in hockey, getting drafted 7th overall in the NHL, and concerns with drafting kids very early

17:14 - How to manage expectations and mental health challenges when entering pro hockey

19:46 - His best NHL hockey career anecdotes with Michel Therrien, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Nashville

22:26 - His backstory with Shea Weber

23:10 - The back and forth of getting traded within the NHL

28:47 - His experience dealing with Major Depressive Disorder

33:16 - Playing with Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby, and his chance to play for the Stanley Cup

36:00 - The best coaches that Kris had

38:40 - How his Master’s thesis led to him founding the Aimability platform

45:03 - Aimability’s potential for global reach

49:46 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Dana has received many accolades for her amazing work growing the game for girls. She was named by the Toronto Star as one of the top 12 Canadian Change Makers, made it into the Canadian Baseball Network's top 100 list of most influential Canadians in the sport, and was also named an RBC Woman of Influence and awarded a 2021 Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada.

Table of Contents

00:13 - Intro and Dana’s background

02:52 - The rise of Canadian Girls Baseball

04:22 - Effects of the pandemic on growth of sports programs

07:00 - Outcomes and adaption to COVID restrictions for sports programs

09:25 - Demand for youth sports camps resulting from COVID online fatigue

13:36 - Keeping girls motivated about sports as they grow older

14:47 - Catering sports camps toward 3-4 year old kids to keep them engaged

17:33 - Certifying coaches for girls' baseball

19:14 - Differences between coaching boys and girls

23:46 - Expanding Canadian Girls Baseball into British Columbia and other areas

29:34 - Should kids participate in outdoor sports during the pandemic?

33:32 - Online activities if in-person sports are restricted this summer

39:20 - Parent response to COVID limitations

43:57 - Using kids' feedback to build sports programs

46:58 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Steve Boyle is widely recognized as the national leader in sport sampling and physical literacy in the United States. He is a former Division 1 athlete and has nearly 30 years of experience in counseling, teaching, working with children with cancer, athletic and life coaching, as well as multiple entrepreneurial successes. Steve’s mission is to leave a sustainable legacy that will allow every citizen to gain the ability, balance, confidence, desire and explorative nature to be physically active for life. Recognized by the Aspen Institute’s Sport and Society Program in the original Project Play report for his sport-sampling approach, Steve works tirelessly to combat specialization in youth sports and wants physical literacy to be as commonplace and as expected as reading literacy and numeracy.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Introduction

1:30 - Steve's story and 2-4-1 Sports

13:30 - Overexertion and injury from specializing in one sport

22:35 - Balancing school and sport

31:35 - Change in sport relationships as the pressure to specialize builds

40:15 - How COVID-19 affects in-person sports and camps

48:22 - How to promote the importance of playing multisport
 
59:49 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally aired live on For the Love of the Game's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Dr. Tommy Gerschman received his MD from the University of British Columbia and is a practicing Pediatric Rheumatologist (FRCPC). He is the Chair of the Doctors of BC Athletics and Recreation Committee and is the former Medical Director at Fortius Sport & Health. He works with a wide range of children, including recreational and elite athletes (and dancers). He also enjoys promoting physical activity and sport involvement for children with chronic diseases, such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Introduction

6:38 - Arthritis symptoms

8:00 - COVID and rheumatology

14:40 - Youth sport injuries

18:17 - Burnout

26:53 - Growth spurts and injuries

35:07 - Bio-banding

45:30 - Returning after COVID

52:58 - Concussions

1:01:14 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events

Lewall's introduction to gymnastics happened by chance: she started her career as a physical education teacher, and part of her degree at UBC involved learning about that sport. Upon completion of her degree, her first teaching posting was at Steveston Senior Secondary, and at the start of the school year some students approached her about starting a gymnastics club.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Introduction

8:22 - What is physical literacy?

13:25 - The importance of free play

17:07 - Parenting with free play

21:04 - Interactions

25:18 - Easing up on the challenges

35:48 - Kids’ opinions

39:30 - Post-COVID free play

49:52 - Conclusions

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events

Nathan Baldwin has spent over 17 years engaged in developing quality sport programs for all ages - advocating for inclusion, progressive skill development, quality coaching, and lifelong enjoyment of the game. His ability to develop and facilitate a cohesive program culture has led to the delivery of nationally renowned, high-engagement, growth-oriented recreational sports programs.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Intro

3:07 - Free play

9:17 - A fast-paced life

13:08 - Reluctance about a return to play

30:41 - Community

44:32 - What feels right

53:55 - What’s next?

58:24 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events

Janis is a mother of three children who are very active in the sports community and is the founder of Raising Champion Families, which uses coaching, mentoring and blogging to support sports families. As a certified life coach, she wants to help families reestablish their connectivity and navigate through their children's changes.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Intro

7:20 - Communicating with parents in COVID

11:29 - Predictions for the future

24:13 - New equipment needed

31:03 - Shifting online

34:15 - Addressing pain points

40:30 - Youth sports

47:50 - Outro

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events

As the Executive Director of Semiahmoo Minor Hockey Association and a Sledge Hockey Technical Delegate in the Paralympic International Committee, David Newson provides strong insights on how COVID has impacted the sports world. In this episode we discuss the short-term and long-term implications of the pandemic.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Introduction

8:40 - Changes in the Olympics

12:34 - Impacts of COVID

32:21 - Restrictions on sports in COVID

35:49 - Taking the time to plan

42:36 - Training during COVID

49:13 - Conclusion

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events

Rosemary has been involved at the elite level of basketball for more than 30 years – specifically as a referee at WNBL and SEABL level for 19 years. The first female to referee men’s games at the elite level, she has been coaching juniors in VJBL for 20 years, and is the assistant coach at SEABL Level and development coach for Melbourne Tigers NBL.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Introduction

7:34 - Acceptance in the men’s game

13:50 - Parents’ “ambition”

19:42 - Post-COVID changes

24:04 - Upcoming changes

33:53 - Lack of funding

43:13 - Positive interactions

54:18 - Undervalued referees

58:22 - Mentorship

1:08:06 - Conclusion

The interview featured on this episode of the Love What You Play podcast originally debuted on the For the Love of the Game Summer Virtual Summit 2020. To learn more about our upcoming summits and events with featured speakers, head to fortheloveofthegame.ca/events