Shows
SportsParenthoodIs "The Tiger Effect" still relevant for sports parents?This week, you'll hear from John Serhan, one of Australia's most successful golf coaches who is currently head teaching professional at St Michael's Golf Club in Sydney's east, having previously won NSW PGA Coach of the Year. Now, he coaches juniors right through to touring professionals.
He knows all too well that people like Tiger Woods are the exception, not the rule. In June this year, a report by Forbes, estimated Tiger Woods' net worth to be at least $US 1 billion, including $121 million in prize money.
There's certainly dollar signs in the eyes of some parents, who'd love for their...
2022-06-2238 min
SportsParenthoodHow do we build character in our sports kids with David KingThis week on SportsParenthood, our guest David King, speaks honestly and openly about his early success as an athlete, his natural talent, and in his words, "being washed up" by the time he was just 15 years old.
He talks about his world imploding. Then, coming back to sport where he was on the cusp of a professional career in rugby league, before deciding to walk away. You'll hear how he reflects on that moment now.
For David, a mental skills coach, director of administration at a school in Sydney, teacher, endurance athlete and charity director, his early experiences have led...
2022-06-1549 min
SportsParenthoodWhat's a sports parent to do when your child stops playing?What's a sports parent to do when your child stops playing?
How are we supposed to feel about it? What are we supposed to do? What role should we play? These are just some of the questions we've been asking ourselves in the last month or so since one of our kids made the really hard decision to stop competitive swimming.
While it's not for us to go into the details of her decision, which she'd made with careful consideration and lots of maturity - today, we're going to reflect on how it impacted on us, and how we've processed...
2022-06-0819 min
SportsParenthoodIs freedom the greatest gift we can give our sports kids with cricketer Nicola Carey?This week on SportsParenthood, we go a bit rogue at the start of the episode, because we were still on a high after watching Top Gun: Maverick. please make a date with your local cinema and WATCH THIS MOVIE.
Speaking of legendary Top Gun quotes, "I feel the need, the need for speed" might be a good one to set the scene for today's conversation where you'll meet Australian cricketer Nicola Carey.
She currently plays in the Women's Big Bash League - or domestic T20 competition - for the Hobart Hurricanes, which is an exhilarating and fast-paced style of the...
2022-06-0133 min
SportsParenthoodWhat do our sports kids mean when they say they're nervous?Do your sports kids feel nervous, even anxious, before they play a game or line up to compete? What does this mean? Why does it happen? As sports parents, what can we do to help?
In this episode, we speak with Rory Darkins - a high-performance coach and positive psychology researcher who transitioned into the mental side of sport while playing high-level cricket.
He started asking important questions such as: Do athletes have to sacrifice their wellbeing to get to the top of their sport. Is there a better way? Well, the short answer is, yes.
Currently, Rory is the...
2022-05-2540 min
SportsParenthoodBreaking down barriers as a female tackle athlete with Yasmin ClydsdaleYou probably won't believe this. The first women's Rugby League match in Australia was played in Sydney, on Saturday, 17 September 1921. In September 2018, almost 100 years later, the first season of the NRLW -Australia's national rugby league competition for female players - kicked off with four teams. Now, there are some big things in the wings, with players like our guest this week leading the game into the future.
On the show today, we speak with Yasmin Clydsdale (nee Meakes), who plays for the Sydney Roosters. Over the past two NRLW seasons, she's played in two grand finals, scored a try in...
2022-05-1832 min
SportsParenthoodThe importance of caring less with sports and performance psychologist Gayelene ClewsThis week, be prepared to experience light bulb moment after light bulb moment.
That's how John and I felt while speaking with our guest, Gayelene Clews, renowned sports and performance psychologist, educator and author of the book, Wired to Play.
Gayelene is a former elite athlete herself - with a number one world triathlon ranking - and she was the youngest ever Australian open women's cross country champion at just 15 years of age. You'll also hear about her own 'aha' moment when she was competing in a half ironman triathlon in Hawaii.
This is one of those conversations that'll have...
2022-05-1147 min
SportsParenthoodSomething tells us you've got strong feelings about community coachesSomething tells us you've got strong feelings about community coaches. Your kids have probably had great community coaches, and perhaps they've experienced not-so-great ones, too. You may even be a community coach yourself - and goodness knows, it's a tough gig.
This week on SportsParenthood, we speak with Richard McInnes, who is currently CEO of Water Polo Australia, and is a degree-qualified sports scientist and former multiple World Cup winning coach.
He talks to us about what Water Polo Australia is doing as an early adopter of the new community coaching reforms, what makes a great coach, and he says...
2022-05-0434 min
SportsParenthoodPets and sports performance with sports psychologist Rob BrownIn the first episode in our new season of the show, sports psychologist Rob Brown joins us to talk about a topic that is increasing in prominence: pets and sports performance.
It is a feel-good approach - and it really works.
It is well-documented animals can help us reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and ease loneliness. Animals have been used in settings like hospitals and airports for their calming qualities.
Less known is that athletes are using animals to up their mental game.
So, why are animals helpful for athletes?
We dig into the research and, we discuss the example...
2022-04-2738 min
SportsParenthoodDr. Paul Bloomfield on a safe return-to-sport for kids post-COVIDSEASON FINALE: NEW SEASON STARTS THURSDAY, 28 APRIL 2022
If there's one thing sports parents are talking about right now - it's COVID. Who's got it, who's had it, who has to isolate? Wear a mask or not wear a mask? Plus, making the tough calls to stay COVID-free in an effort to get on the start line, like missing out on birthday parties or other social events.
It feels relentless, it feels exhausting, and it feels unfair.
Besides the obvious inconvenience of having to isolate with COVID, we wanted to talk about what happens next. Like you, we've heard stories of...
2022-03-3023 min
SportsParenthoodWhat happens when young sportspeople are thrust into the spotlight with Dylan WalkerIn this episode of SportsParenthood, what happens when young sportspeople are thrust into the spotlight, without the maturity and skills to handle the situation? For most of us, we have no first-hand experience of what it's like, how it feels, and much less the scrutiny involved.
Are our expectations too high? Today, we're bringing you a perspective from a rugby league player who has walked this path - who went from obscurity to the next-big-thing way faster than he ever imagined. And, readily admits he didn't know how to deal with the pressure of it all.
You'll hear from Dylan...
2022-03-2341 min
SportsParenthoodSome honest feedback on the way we sports parent with Andie Bonasera (our eldest daughter)This week on SportsParenthood, a guest who is close to our heart. You'll hear from our eldest daughter, Andie.
When she was six months old, John suggested we take her to see a paediatrician to get a proper check-up. She was a fussy feeder and wasn't a great sleeper, in fact, she hardly slept at all during the night. Still, nothing prepared us for what happened next. She was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect or ASD - a congenital heart defect.
In this episode, we speak with Andie about what having a congenital heart condition this has meant for...
2022-03-1629 min
SportsParenthoodKids and concussion in sport with Byron FieldWhen our kids participate in any kind of sport, they run the risk of an injury.
When it comes to head injuries in sport - understandably - many of us are faced with making the tough decision on whether or not to let our kids play a sport which we think MIGHT have a higher likelihood of concussion, like contact or combat sports.
Concern over concussion runs deep, but do the benefits of playing contact sport outweigh the risks? Sometimes, it's not as easy as saying, I don't WANT my child to play a particular sport. There's more to it...
2022-03-0935 min
SportsParenthoodWhat would you do if your child got offered two sporting contracts - in two sports?What would you do if your child got offered a sporting contract? How would you feel? It would be a pretty special moment. Well, imagine this. What if your child gets offered TWO sporting contracts, in TWO sports, in ONE weekend! It is EXACTLY what happened - at the end of last year - to our guest on the show today.
In our conversation with sports mum Nicole Dennis, she talks us through this very situation, when her daughter Heidi got offered contracts with both Brisbane Roar Football Club and the Queensland Academy of Sport Reds Rugby Sevens program...
2022-03-0241 min
SportsParenthoodWhat sports parents are talking about in 2022 with Tiffany and John BonaseraThis week on SportsParenthood, it's just the two of us. With no guest to keep us on the straight and narrow, it's an interesting episode! On the show, we discuss what sports parents are talking about in 2022.
Sports team WhatsApp groups are in full ping with schedules being posted, jersey numbers finalised and training times firmed up as we head into another uncertain year of kids' sport.
You'll hear us chew over the following topics:
•The bittersweet reality of competitor-only swimming carnivals
•The intense competition and drama at the Beijing Winter Games
•Player and team grading - and how it can go...
2022-02-2325 min
SportsParenthoodHow much sleep do our sports kids really need with Dr Laura PiromalliWe spend about one-third of our lives doing it. Yes, we're talking about sleep. It's a HOT topic for sports parents everywhere - because we know it helps our kids' bodies and brains recover. But we're always worried they're not getting enough sleep - and we're actually right.
In the new book called Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention, author Johann Hari includes research that says, over the past century the average child has lost 85 minutes of sleep every night. The effects of this are powerful for children.
With training commitments, schoolwork and a social life, how do we...
2022-02-1635 min
SportsParenthoodA sporting career isn't measured by a single performance with legend Shaun CreightonThis week, you'll hear from Shaun Creighton, a two-time Olympic distance runner who competed at the Atlanta Games and Sydney 2000. He still holds the 3000 metre national steeplechase record set in 1993.
In 2019, Shaun showed US sports parents how it's done, breaking the over-50s national marathon record in a time of 2:29:23 - a record which had stood for 32 years. A legend of athletics, whose late start in the sport and steady progress, ultimately proved to be a winning combination.
It's a conversation that sparked plenty of a-ha moments for us - and will spark some for you, too. From the importance...
2022-02-0938 min
SportsParenthoodThe difference between independent and dependent learners and how it applies to sportAsh Barty. She is EVERYTHING this week. For winning the Australian Open. For speaking up about mental health. For being proud of her Indigenous heritage. For being a humble person. Ash's coach, Craig Tyzzer, is quoted as saying she's "a much better person than she is a tennis player."
In learning more about Ash's story, where she left the sport to play cricket when she was 18 because of the toll playing tennis was taking on her, it shines the light on a message many of our guests on the podcast have touched on: the journey of many sportspeople is not...
2022-02-0244 min
SportsParenthoodComing back from being an "early burn out child" with Erin PlummerNEW SEASON 2022. Welcome to another year of SportsParenthood. It's great to be back in your ears after a break. We know there's been radio silence from us. It wasn't our intention to go completely quiet. But hey, things haven't really gone to plan in general these last few months, have they?
So, who are we speaking with this week? You'll hear from Erin Plummer. What an interesting story she has to tell. Erin won her first state gold medal in swimming at the age of 8. In an honest account, she explains how she ended up being what she describes as...
2022-01-2635 min
SportsParenthoodWe've called full-time on 2021: what a crazy ride!This is the FINAL episode of SportsParenthood for 2021, in what's been a year like no other! It's been a roller-coaster, crazy, wild, interesting, resilience-building - and a shitshow.
In saying all of that, it's been a GREAT year for SportsParenthood. We've published 35 episodes, interviewed 31 guests who've kindly volunteered their time, personal stories and wisdom, and wrangled the distance of recording shows while you relocated to Queensland for work. What have you taken on board this year?
Listen if you'd like to hear some of the best advice for this season. Plus, why has John got sores legs?
Thank you for...
2021-12-0131 min
SportsParenthoodSpeed and sport: the unexpected way kids can get more zippy with Rubin RuzickaIn this week's episode of SportsParenthood, we're talking about speed. Have you ever watched sport - and thought - that person can really move? They've got some serious toe. Speed is the currency of success in most sports. Athletes who can move faster than their opponents definitely have an advantage.
But, getting faster isn't all about stopwatches and repetition after repetition on a track.
You'll hear from Rubin Ruzicka, who works as an athletic development and rehabilitation coach in the National Rugby League with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles where he focuses on speed and power training. If you follow...
2021-11-2449 min
SportsParenthoodMichael H. Scott's son cracked the NBA - wow, what a story for sports parents!Both of us got goosebumps hearing our guest this week, Michael H Scott, recalling the exact moment his son, Mike Scott, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 43rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Sine then, Mike has played with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers.
On the show, Michael talks honestly, openly and insightfully about what it's like being the parent of a professional athlete who's reached the pinnacle - and the role he continues to play in his son's career.
This experience has taught him many things, which he explains in detail...
2021-11-1749 min
SportsParenthoodTackling the taboo of mental health with former rugby league great David ShillingtonThis week on SportsParenthood, you'll meet David Shillington, a former professional rugby league front rower, who's played 215 first grade games for the Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans, along with representing Queensland in the State of Origin and Australia.
You'll hear David fondly recount his first experience with a counsellor, back in his early playing days, which proved to be a turning point in opening up the conversation on mental health which he carried throughout his playing career, and now into life after sport.
On the show, David shares some of his own struggles in the hope it...
2021-11-1037 min
SportsParenthoodWinning at all costs: What do you genuinely want for your sports kids?It's just us in Episode 55 of SportsParenthood, speaking about a topic that came up through our eldest daughter, Andie. She's studying Physical Activities and Sports Studies (PASS) for one of her elective subjects at school. This term, she had to write an essay on Winning At All Costs - and it got us thinking.
If you're a regular listener, you'll be familiar with the themes and threads that have come through consistently on the show, including the importance of having fun, non-specialisation in junior sport, and allowing your sports kid to find their own way (with parents providing logistics and...
2021-11-0327 min
SportsParenthoodDoing our best is enough - with two-time Olympic distance runner Eloise WellingsEloise Wellings is a long-distance runner and two-time Olympian. Earlier this month, she ran the fastest marathon debut by an Australian woman, finishing the London event in a time of 2.29.42.
Despite her serious ambition, Eloise tries not to take herself too seriously.
In this week's episode of SportsParenthood, we speak with Eloise from hotel quarantine in Sydney, where on the day of the interview, she had one sleep to go before being reunited with her husband and two young kids, her biggest supporters.
Eloise's dream to be an Olympic athlete started when she was 10 - watching the 1992 Barcelona Games. At...
2021-10-2728 min
SportsParenthoodThere's no such thing as "can't" with para-triathlete Lauren ParkerIn this week's episode of SportsParenthood, Lauren Parker, para-triathlete joins us from the USA, where she is currently based at St George Utah, preparing to back up her win from 2019 at the World Triathlon Para Championships in Abu Dhabi this November.
Lauren's been on the road for a while now. She left Australia in August to compete at the Tokyo Paralympics, where she won silver in the women's PTWC event, by the narrowest of margins - around a second in the end, in what was an extraordinary sprint finish after leading for the entire race.
You'll hear how Lauren feels...
2021-10-2031 min
SportsParenthoodWhat it's like growing up with a parent who's a well-known sportspersonOur conversation today on SportsParenthood this week, has everything to do with the influence a parent has had on helping a child win at life. In this episode, Martin Pickup reflects on what it's like growing up with a parent who's a well-known sportsperson: and the lessons, inspiration and perks that shaped his childhood.
In the year 2000, Tim was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to Australian sport. He passed away earlier this year. Martin has such fond memories of his dad, who just loved sport.
His dad, Tim Pickup, led an extraordinary life. He was a...
2021-10-1341 min
SportsParenthoodPlant-based diets and the impact on kids' sports performance with dietitian Melissa JuergensWelcome to a new season of SportsParenthood, the podcast for rookie sports parents. It's not easy supporting kids through sport, right? That's why we turn to people with lived experiences, and professionals with the right expertise, to provide us with golden nuggets of information each week.
In our first episode back, you'll hear from sports dietitian and exercise scientist, Melissa Juergens on a topic that's been raised in our household by our teenage daughter. It might have been raised in your household, too? She is interested in going on a plant-based diet.
Instead of dismissing it through our personal concerns...
2021-10-0641 min
SportsParenthoodPart 2 of 2: The disruption of COVID and the impact on our sports kidsThis week, you'll hear part 2 of the conversation with performance psychologist, Rob Brown. 'Reassuring Rob' talks about the silver linings of COVID and kids' sport, and encourages sports parents to stay optimistic and solution-focused. He teaches us how to reframe this forced break into a more helpful narrative.
Many of our regular listeners will know co-host, John Bonasera, is the general manager of football with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, with the team finishing in the top four of the regular National Rugby League season, and ready to play the Melbourne Storm in Week 1 of the Finals Series.
In this...
2021-09-0825 min
SportsParenthoodPart 1 of 2: The disruption of COVID and the impact on our sports kidsMany of us are feeling emotional right now. For sports parents, we're in a situation where everything seems to be cancelled. Left, right and centre. Not everyone is affected by this, of course, but for those of us who are, it's heartbreaking to see our kids forced to take time out of organised sport due to COVID-19.
Is the disruption as bad on our child and adolescent athletes as it seems? Will the forced break have long-lasting implications? What, if any, are the silver linings?
Since the early 2000s, our guest, performance psychologist, Rob Brown, worked extensively across all major...
2021-09-0133 min
SportsParenthoodWhy do your kids play sport?Why do kids play sport?
That's the question our guest today discusses with us in this week's episode SportsParenthood - the answer prompting an evidenced-based evolution of one sport's grassroots initiatives.
Just for some context, in Australia, the data tells us age is a key determinant of child participation in organised physical activity. Participation peaks in the 9 to 11 age group, declining when kids are 12-14.
These drop-out rates are exactly what Tim Gee - the Regional Game Development Manager - Sydney Metro at the National Rugby League says has driven the revamp of the game's development programs, including the introduction...
2021-08-2527 min
SportsParenthoodWhat it's like being the parent of a Tokyo OlympianIn this episode, you'll hear from Robyn Carrier. Her daughter, Marina Carrier, competed in the Modern Pentathlon in Tokyo, where she claimed 27th place in her Olympic debut. Robyn speaks candidly about what it's like being a sports parent of an athlete at these most usual Games.
What was it like watching her daughter from their home Sydney? How did the Carrier family celebrate the Olympics - now that's a story you'll want to listen out for - and the thoughtful ways in which the Carriers showed their support for Marina, when they couldn't be there in person.
Robyn shares...
2021-08-1854 min
SportsParenthoodUnpacking the Tokyo Olympics for sports parents with John and TiffanyExperiencing Olympic withdrawals?
In this week's episode, we unpack the Tokyo Olympics for sports parents. We think you'll agree, it's been a cracking few weeks watching the world's best athletes compete on the biggest stage in sport - after a roller-coaster lead-in to the event, including a 12-month postponement of the Games.
You'll hear us discuss our highlights from the Olympics, from some of the iconic moments and hands-down stand outs to performances that flew under the radar. Plus, the wonderful and memorable reactions from families and friends, who were unable to travel to Tokyo to show their support.
In...
2021-08-1139 min
SportsParenthoodWhy triple Olympic taekwondo athlete Carmen Marton wants to shift the focus of sportWhile we celebrate the achievements of our Olympic athletes in Tokyo, and hope it sparks that little something in our kids to have big dreams, it's an important reminder that sport is not only about peak performance - because the reality is, few people will ever reach that pinnacle.
Carmen Marton, triple Olympian and Australia's first ever world taekwondo champion, experienced the heartbreak of non-selection for this Games, despite meeting the selection criteria. Still, she agreed to join us on the show in a conversation you'll find both interesting and confronting.
There are many wonderful benefits that go beyond what...
2021-08-0439 min
SportsParenthoodWhat we did in 'our day' is completely irrelevant to this generation with Nathan Parnhamhttps://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-44-nathan-parnham/
2021-07-2842 min
SportsParenthoodGet set for Tokyo with seven-time Olympic commentator Tim GavelOn the eve of the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, in this episode of SportsParenthood, you'll hear from Canberra-based sports commentator, Tim Gavel OAM, who's been in the box seat at seven Olympic Games, along with seven Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Paralympic Games.
Other than the athletes themselves, there's likely no one who's anticipating these games more than the competitors' parents, who'll be eagerly watching from home this time, due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Emotions will be running high, knowing they've played a crucial role in the journey.
In this interview, Tim shares some cracking tales about being involved in the...
2021-07-2136 min
SportsParenthoodBeing a student-athlete in the USA with basketball player and coach Christian JurlinaIn the first episode of our new series of SportsParenthood, basketball player and coach Christian Jurlina joins us on the show. In the episode, he shares his incredible experience of being a student-athlete at Whitworth University in Washington, USA, where he packed in plenty of game time, created life-long memories, and met his now wife, Faith.
Heading to university in the USA is something many aspiring sports kids dream about. You'll hear how Christian ended up at Whitworth, including a few hiccups along the way.
After graduating with a degree in Kinesiology, Christian signed his first professional contract in the...
2021-07-1435 min
SportsParenthoodDigital distraction and the impact on sports kids with Dr Jo LukinsDigital distraction and the impacts on sports kids.
One of our listeners reached out to us about her dilemma with digital distraction.
In her email she wrote: 'My sons, especially the older one, gets that buzz from the instant gratification of screen-time interactions. How do we compete with that?'
Without doubt, digital distraction is a hot topic in most households. If this is a dilemma for you too, you'll want to hear more from sports psychologist and author of In the Grandstands, Dr Jo Lukins, in this week's episode of SportsParenthood.
We set out to find some answers, from...
2021-06-1642 min
SportsParenthoodDebate: Should parents be banned from the sideline in junior sport with John and TiffanyWe're celebrating our 40th! Our 40th episode of the show, that is. Hip-hip hooray!
If you're a regular listener, you'll know we're sports parents of two kids - a 14-year-old who loves swimming and soccer, and an 11-year-old who loves soccer and basketball. They've got TOTALLY different personalities and are motivated by completely different things.
If you're new to the show, just a bit of background. We started SportsParenthood almost 12 months ago because we wanted help in guiding our own sports kids. Basically, we couldn't always agree on the advice to give them. Now, 40 episodes on, if there's one thing...
2021-06-0931 min
SportsParenthoodWhy kids don't want to be referees anymore - and they're missing out says Henry PerenaraFrom grassroots level to the pinnacle of sport, there exists a toxic culture of referee abuse - match officials in EVERY sport bear the brunt of poor sideline behaviour from parents, coaches, and spectators.
Our guest, Henry Perenara, knows a thing or two. He refereed professionally in the National Rugby League for a decade, following a playing career of eight seasons. Recently retiring due to a heart condition, Henry now works in the NRL bunker, assisting on-field referees. He's seen and heard it all.
Still, he loves it and wants to change the situation we see unfold every weekend, in...
2021-06-0234 min
SportsParenthoodIt's not the end of the world when things don't go to plan with Olympic sprinter Melinda Gainsford-TaylorIt's not the end of the world when things don't go to plan.
A promising young sprinter from Narromine in Central West NSW, Melinda Gainsford who KEPT TRYING through adversity and setbacks, going on to win a World Indoor Championship over 200 metres, become a three-time Olympian, and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to athletics as a sprinter, at the national and international level, and as a role model for young athletes.
This story takes you from Melinda's early days training on the farm, to the biggest stage in world sport. It...
2021-05-2637 min
SportsParenthoodHigh-stakes junior sport is not helping with former Brumby, coach and sports master Joel WilsonWhy has junior sport become high-stakes? Have we lost perspective as sports parents?
In this episode of SportsParenthood, you'll hear from Joel Wilson. He's a former professional rugby league and rugby union player, whose 15-year career in sport includes three years in the NRL with the North Sydney Bears and playing with the ACT Brumbies in its golden era, where he won a few Super Rugby titles.
Finally, Joel capped off his rugby career in Japan.
Interestingly, Joel's sporting dream as a kid is different to how it turned out.
Now, he wears many hats. He's a coach and sports...
2021-05-1949 min
SportsParenthoodComing back from injury with rehabilitation coach Cameron FergusonWhen your child is sidelined from playing sport through injury, it not only takes a toll on them, it can also weigh heavily on us, as sports parents, too. Often, coming back from injury is not an easy road.
This episode is inspired by our own conundrum in having our two kids suffer an injury each within days of each other last month. They were desperate to compete. We didn't know how to handle their return-to-play.
You know what? The whole scenario has really challenged us as sports parents. We'll put our hands up and say it's been hard navigating...
2021-05-1224 min
SportsParenthoodTriathlete Laura Van Den Honert had no idea of the long-term implications of an eating disorderIn today's episode of SportsParenthood, Laura Van Den Honert speaks bravely and openly about her lived experience with an eating disorder. You'll hear her story about the long-term implications on her wellbeing and physical health. These include a series of bone-density-related injuries, which started when she was a younger athlete, and continue to impact her sporting aspirations as a competitive triathlete 15 years later.
In the interview, Laura recalls her first fun run at six years of age. Her mum and dad were dedicated sports parents, giving up their weekends to ferry Laura to matches and carnivals, and help manage sporting...
2021-05-0536 min
SportsParenthoodOne heck of a sport's story with professional soccer player Remy SiemsenYou can hear it in her voice: the joy, the determination, the competitive spirit: she wasn't the best, she wasn't the worst. You know what? She's got pump, together with a willingness to listen and learn.
In this week's episode, we speak with Remy Siemsen, who currently plays soccer for Sydney FC in the W-League. She made a big impression in her first W-League outing when she was just 16: named Young Footballer of the Year.
Remy represented Australia in the under-20 team, where she scored seven goals on debut. This athlete is on fire, with the ultimate dream of playing...
2021-04-2838 min
SportsParenthoodA very different perspective on sports parenthood with mentor and carer Matt RobertsIn this week's episode of SportsParenthood, you'll meet Matt Roberts, who has an extraordinary story.
Since the year 2000, Matt, who's currently director, Tennis Alice Springs, has raised 17 teenage boys, who've come from different backgrounds, different situations, with different struggles. Some have stayed for weeks, some for months, and many, for years! Sport has been the constant, and has played a big part in creating a platform for change by keeping them busy, providing structure and teaching valuable life lessons.
In Matt's role as mentor and carer, he's helped transformed their lives. From Junior State of Origin debuts to the NRL...
2021-04-2142 min
SportsParenthoodInjury treatment and prevention with three-time Olympic physiotherapist Kylie HoltFINAL EPISODE UNTIL 22 APRIL 2021: As sports parents, we often resist taking our kids to see a physiotherapist or specialist believing they'll be okay. Sometimes, it's really difficult to tell when the normal aches and pains associated with sport transform into injuries. So, how do you know when to take your young athlete to see a physiotherapist?
What is a physio exactly? How can they help prevent and treat injuries?
Hear from Kylie Holt from Kylie Holt Sports Physiotherapy, who's been working in high-performance sport for more than 20 years, including being an Australian team physiotherapist at three Olympic Games and three...
2021-04-0134 min
SportsParenthoodDr Lynne Munro on rethinking the way we coach female athletes (and why)The work of Dr Lynne Munro - head of AusCycling's Olympic fast track program - first caught our attention back in December, in an ABC news article in which she was quoted as saying: "We're looking at building an environment that is specifically about female athletes." Lynne wants to completely rethink the way women are trained and coached in elite sport. As you can imagine, this got us curious! While Lynne's focus is on building up Australia's female track sprint cycling ranks, in the lead up to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, her 'doing things differently' approach makes you wonder...
2021-03-2438 min
SportsParenthoodThe science of music and sports performanceMusic and sports performance. How does music affect athletes? What does the science say?
Is music a "type of legal, performance-enhancing drug"?
Research has shown listening to music while exercising can reduce an athlete's rate of perceived effort. What does this mean exactly? Does the tempo have an impact? Why did USA Track & Field "ban the use of headphones and portable audio players" at its official races back in 2007? In this episode, we speak with psychologist and behaviour coach, Hamish McMaster. There's a lot more research into music and sports performance than we thought!
This is a fascinating conversation about...
2021-03-1739 min
SportsParenthoodSporty parents, active kids with Gary 'Tiger' Howard (and what fires us all up?)This week's guest is Gary Howard from the Run Crew in Sydney. He's a guy known for dotting the i's and crossing the t's - and doing the work that needs to be done. He's still a competitive athlete today - a world's masters silver medalist in the 800 metres, and is currently training for a marathon.
In this episode, we wanted to explore the idea of sporty parents, active kids (PDF) as per research from the Sports Australia, formerly the Australian Sports Commission , that shows active parents are more likely to have active kids.
Gary is the perfect fit...
2021-03-1040 min
SportsParenthoodHow athletes can take ownership with NRL coach Andrew McFaddenEven professional coaches like Andrew McFadden, current assistant coach at the Canberra Raiders, former head coach at the New Zealand Warriors, and 100-game NRL first grade player can be THAT parent.
With more than a decade of full-time coaching experience, Andrew shares his philosophy on athletes taking ownership, following what he reflects on as a bitter-sweet playing career, where he struggled to reach his full potential in the high-pressure environment of professional rugby league.
So, as sports parents, what can we be doing to help our kids take the reins? Less hand-holding, more listening. In this episode, Andrew gives us...
2021-03-0334 min
SportsParenthoodThis is not your usual conversation about volunteering in sportWe're not going to tell you what you should and shouldn't be doing. We're not going to shame you into barbecuing sausages at the next club event, signing up as a coach, or joining a committee.
You already know the value of volunteering in sport - many clubs and organisations couldn't run without them. In Australia, an estimated three million people volunteer in the sport and active recreation sector each year. Today, you're going to meet ONE of those people - it's a really thoughtful and fun conversation with Nick Bishop, who'll share his volunteering story in a way that'll...
2021-02-2433 min
SportsParenthoodWhy effort is everything in sport with former Australian cyclist Margaret HemsleyIn this episode of SportsParenthood, you'll hear from Margaret Hemsley, former Australian cyclist, 2002 Commonwealth Games representative, and national road race champion. It's a candid conversation about her own incredible sporting experience - including a sliding doors moment - lessons competitive sport taught her, and what she's aiming to teacher own four sons. (And what you can learn from this, too.)
As a sports parent, you'll relate to the anecdote at the start of the episode, when Margaret shared the story about her 8-year-old son's less-than-ideal race result (in his eyes) at the school swimming carnival. Margaret's response: "You know what...
2021-02-1930 min
SportsParenthoodMatt 'Coach' Lisle on why transferring goals into expectations is holding kids backMatt 'Coach' Lisle has coached at every level in both baseball and softball, including Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox. He's also an author of an Amazon best-seller, Dear Coach. In this interview, Matt shares his coaching philosophy, how we can all help our student athletes set goals and be clear about expectations, including taking ownership of their own sporting journey, plus what's in his coaching rule book? Matt's not afraid to open up about his shortcomings either. This is a conversation packed with gold. How cool to connect with someone across the other side of the world...
2021-02-1034 min
SportsParenthoodHandling life and sport with former Olympic rower, coach and mentor Hannah Every-HallBalancing school, sport and having a social life. If you're #sports parenting student athletes, this is a tricky line to help them tread. That's why we've turned to Hannah Every-Hall for our first episode of 2021. At the start of a new school year, as our #sports kids are finding their feet with new school routines, sporting demands and settling into friendship groups, what advice should we be giving them to make it all work? In this episode, Hannah Every Hall - a former Olympic rower, a leader in sport, Pathways and High Performance Manager with Modern Pentathlon Australia, a mentor...
2021-02-0341 min
SportsParenthoodWhen should strength training be introduced for developing athletes with physical performance coach Nigel Ashley-JonesFINALE EPISODE FOR 2020: When should strength training be introduced - and why is it important for kids and developing athletes? In this episode you'll hear from Nigel Ashley-Jones, currently head of physical performance at the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League, on changing the perception of the role of strength training in sport. Nigel's worked as a strength and conditioning coach in multiple continents and in multiple codes, including premiership soccer, rugby union, along with rugby league. In this episode, you'll hear from Nigel on the seven strength areas we need to tick off with our athletes, ideas on...
2020-12-0249 min
SportsParenthoodAthlete Suzy Walsham's is a story of the long game in elite sportSuzy Walsham's is a story of the LONG game in sport. She's kept coming back and has been competing for almost 40 years. She won her first state cross country title in the under sevens... the start of a running career that's had many highs - like representing Australia in the 1500 metres at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. And, the crushing lows, like enduring 14 stress fractures throughout her career.
THEN, something unexpected happened.
After moving from Sydney to Singapore for work, Suzy side-stepped into vertical stair racing - you know, running up the world's tallest towers - and has gone on to...
2020-11-2541 min
SportsParenthoodBlessing or burden? Integrating kids with disability into mainstream sportThe benefits of physical activity and participation in sport are universal for ALL children. How would YOU feel if your child's team, club or competition integrated kids with a disability? Would you consider it to be a blessing or a burden? If you're a sports parent of a child with a disability, what's been your experience? In this episode of SportsParenthood, you'll hear our conversation with Rob Regent, founder and head coach at social enterprise, Everyday Champions, which advocates for integrating kids with disability into mainstream sport. Rob explains the barriers and benefits to inclusion in sport ... and how the...
2020-11-1939 min
SportsParenthoodRECAP (and ramblings): 20 not out with John and Tiffany BonaseraReaching a milestone is always a good time to reflect ... and that's what we're going to do today. In episode 20 of SportsParenthood, we're going to recap on the key takeouts and highlights from the past nine episodes for ourselves and for you, too. We're on this journey with you, sports parenting our two daughters, Milla and Andie. Like you, we're TRYING to do our best. Sometimes, we get it right. Sometimes, we get it wrong. Mostly we're looking for clues on how we can improve. It's bloody hard, to be honest! As sports parents, we don't know what we don't...
2020-11-1139 min
SportsParenthoodRugby league's Joel Thompson: From "troubled kid" to 2020 Indigenous All-Stars captainProfessional rugby league player, Joel Thompson, has played more than 230 first grade games in the National Rugby League. In 2020, he captained the Indigenous All-Stars Team. He says he's used his "tough childhood" as a superpower. In this episode, you'll hear Joel talk about going to school hungry, how he was heading in a direction of crime, as well as the difficulties he had in handling the high-pressure environment of sport when he didn't have the mental strategies to cope. Joel's is a story of how a "troubled kid" grabbed hold of the good people around him, such as his Nan...
2020-11-0433 min
SportsParenthoodThree-time Olympic distance runner Sarah Jamieson on 'Kids Running. Stop the Madness'In this episode, you'll hear the conviction in Sarah Jamieson's voice, on a topic close to her heart - the consequences of kids being 'flogged' as runners from a young age. The Australian middle distance runner - a three-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medalist - recently wrote an article:
'Kids Running. Stop the Madness', where she noted: "I have NEVER seen a child who trains hard and wins, go on and succeed as an older athlete. NEVER!" For Sarah, who's head coach at Perth Running Club and is now a mum of four, watching parents on the sidelines, or...
2020-10-2834 min
SportsParenthoodThe 'tightrope' between fun and performance with psychologist Hamish McMasterThe fun factor. We know it's one of the main reasons our kids play sport. And, it's the reason most of us WANT them to play sport. What happens when the conversation and EXPECTATION turns to performance. In this episode, we speak with Hamish McMaster, a psychologist, behaviour coach, professional trainer, international speaker, published author and founder of Head in the Game, which provides psychological performance systems for athletes, coaches and parents. Finding the balance between FUN and achieving goals is a tightrope, even if Hamish is not keen on the use of this term, as you'll hear. Through our chat with Hamish, he talked to us about how adolescent athletes see us, their parents, the window of tolerance, and other mental skills that'll help you and your sports kids. Plus, a really awesome technique for the car ride home. Here's more information on the Game Ready Playbook.
2020-10-2150 min
SportsParenthoodMindset coach John Novak: You must nail THIS to bounce back from setbacks in sportBouncing back from setbacks is everything in sport because if there's one thing you can count on, there'll always be hurdles. From niggling injuries to season-ending injuries, a slow start in a swimming race to a missed penalty goal in soccer. The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics this year represents a deeply disappointing setback for many sportspeople. Where do many of us come unstuck in bouncing back? In this episode, you'll hear from John Novak, a mindset coach who works with athletes across 44 sports as well as business people, and is the co-creator of the Boomerang Effect - a program...
2020-10-1445 min
SportsParenthoodWhether you say football or soccer, what's the goal for sports parents?Football is the most popular organised sport in Australia with more than 1.76 million players, almost twice as many participants as any other football code. Whether you call it football or soccer, more sports parents are signing up their kids to play. In this episode, you'll hear from David Mason, currently the CEO of the Manly Warringah Football Association, which incorporates over 18,500 football participants - the biggest Football Association in Australia - and Manly United Football Club. He's worked at every level of the game, including roles with Sydney FC and the Socceroos. With close to 25 years'experience in the football landscape...
2020-09-3032 min
SportsParenthoodIf athletes get their nutrition right, it's free speed explains sports dietitian Peta CarigeIf athletes get their nutrition right, it's free speed according to our guest this week, sports dietitian, Peta Carige. It makes perfect sense that good nutrition is often the missing link in an athlete's performance. BUT it's not easy trying to fuel growing kids, with growing training loads. There's lots of misinformation out there, based on opinion not science (it's something that drives professionals like Peta crazy!). Since 2005, she's worked with many elite sporting teams and athletes and is currently consulting with: NSW Waratahs, Men's and Women's Sevens, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and NSW Blues. You'll hear from Peta on...
2020-09-2344 min
SportsParenthoodSome home truths and superpowers for sports parents with Dr Joann Lukins"Kids can sniff out hypocrisy from 100 paces," according to sports psychologist, Dr Joann Lukins. When's the last time you looked in the mirror to reflect on your own behaviour as a sports parent - and how is it impacting on your kids' sports experience? Importantly, are you saying one thing and doing another? In the extreme, you've probably heard of ugly parent syndrome. For most of us, we've got the best intentions. In this week's episode, Dr Jo - who works with professional sporting teams, including the NRL's North Queensland Cowboys and the Townsville Fire in the Women's National Basketball...
2020-09-1658 min
SportsParenthoodSurf lifesaving's Kendrick Louis on executing the small things perfectlyFrom a young age, Kendrick's parents said, 'If there's something you want, you've got to chase it until you get it' - and that's exactly what he did in the sport of surf lifesaving. With a fear of water following a near-tragedy in childhood, Manly's Kendrick Louis's story is one of patience and perseverance, combined with a fiercely competitive spirit, which took him to the top of his sport, winning the Nutri-Grain IronMan Series title earlier this year. In this episode, you'll hear about Kendrick's love-hate relationship with surf lifesaving, where Mother Nature's influence means it's not always the best...
2020-09-0934 min
SportsParenthoodIosia Soliola on family, community and reconnecting with his Samoan heritageHe's near the top of the list of the "rugby league nice-guy" files, winner of the prestigious 2019 Ken Stephen Medal for his commitment to off-field community projects and is often referred to in the media as the Canberra Raiders' "spiritual leader". For Iosia Soliola, or Sia as he's widely known, who draws similarities between the movie, Once Were Warriors, and his own childhood growing up in Central Auckland with his extended Samoan family, empathy is a key attribute. In this episode, Sia opens up about the experience of being "a conservative Pacific Islander kid" and the culture shift of relocating...
2020-09-0242 min
SportsParenthood9 golden nuggets for sports parents with John and Tiffany BonaseraIn episode 10 of SportsParenthood, you'll hear nine golden nuggets of information for sports parents, hand-picked by us, your hosts, John and Tiffany Bonasera. In a different format this week, we're bringing you one piece of gold from each of our nine guests on the show so far. Of course, our guests have provided us with a gold rush of insights - it was a hard task extracting the shiniest nuggets. Whether you're a regular listener or a newbie, you're going to love this recap to celebrate SportsParenthood's 10-episode milestone. Without a guest to keep us on the straight and narrow...
2020-08-2630 min
SportsParenthoodJockey Kayla Nisbet on rolling with the punches in sportWhen she was 13 years old, Kayla Nisbet started getting serious about becoming a jockey. Her dad, John Nisbet is a former jockey, now trainer, and she grew up in a household with five sisters and racehorses right on the back doorstep in nation's capital. In this episode, you'll hear from the Canberra-based jockey who's ridden more than 400 winners in her 10-year career in the saddle. What you'll learn from Kayla's story is nothing worth achieving is ever easy - a message she received loud and clear from her parents, who gave her realistic expectations of the "tough" industry she was...
2020-08-1930 min
SportsParenthoodEating and body image concerns in sport with clinical psychologist Suzie RhydderchEating disorders and disordered eating have long been associated with athletes at all levels - in both female and male sportspeople. Every lived experience is different, from what triggers an eating disorder to how it takes hold and the way forward with treatment - and thankfully, in more and more cases, recovery. Our guest today is Suzie Rhydderch - a clinical psychologist with expertise and a strong interest in the impact of mental health issues on performance, on and off the field, including eating and body image concerns. She brings a personal background in athletics, winning a number of national...
2020-08-1243 min
SportsParenthoodJaime Fernandez: From "rough, bush kid" to three-time Olympic rower (and all-round champion)This is a captivating and unusual story of how it takes a village to raise an #athlete. For Jaime Fernandez - or Hamma as he's affectionately known - three-time Olympian and silver medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the men's eight and currently the Deputy Performance Director at Rowing Australia - it wasn't only his parents who played an influential role in his stellar #sporting career. You'll hear about the many others who turned this "rough, bush kid" into a rowing champion, who loved the sport from his very first stroke. How a green and gold long-sleeve shirt, along with...
2020-08-0540 min
SportsParenthoodDr Deborah Latouf on talent identification and the X-factorFinding THE ONE in sport is a needle-in-a-haystack situation. "It's often not the athlete that ranks one, two, three or four in your lab tests that end up being THE ONE", according to Dr Deborah Latouf - a sports scientist, coach, administrator, representative Masters athlete and sports mum - who headed up the national talent identification program at the Australian Institute of Sport in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. In this episode, Deborah talks about the talent unearthed by the program, including some GREAT stories about two athletes in particular, who've gone on to become household names...
2020-07-2946 min
SportsParenthood"Toughening the athlete" practices with researcher and former elite swimmer Dr Jennifer McMahonWe love our #sporting heroes in Australia. We celebrate them, we admire them, we want to hear their stories. But what happens when a sporting dream doesn't go to plan? What happens when the lines between "toughening the athlete" #coaching practices and abuse become blurred? What happens when a sporting culture that normalises abuse leaves a long-lasting legacy on your life - and the life of countless others? This is Dr Jennifer McMahon's deeply personal story. An Australian swimming gold and silver medallist at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games, Jennifer went from being on top of the world one minute to...
2020-07-2338 min
SportsParenthoodWhen to push the buttons (and when not to push the buttons) with Dr Dianne HuxleySport is full of high emotion. There are moments of elation and joy. There are moments of frustration and deflation. For many sports parents, we're riding this wave of ups and downs with our kids, guided by little more than our intuition. In this episode, you'll hear from Dr Dianne Huxley. She's a high-performance track and field coach and manager, who's headed up Commonwealth, World and Olympic teams, an academic, a mum and a grandmum. Her recent research reveals the evidence on the specific role parents play in the pathway from junior sport to Olympic and World Championship representation...
2020-07-1537 min
SportsParenthoodPart 2: Star athletes Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic on chasing childhood sporting dreamsFollowing on from last week's episode (part 1) with #sportsparents Melissa and John Trbojevic, this week, we speak with three of their four sons, Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic, for the other side of the story. If you're a #rugbyleague fan, the Trbojevic brothers need no introduction. Currently, Tom and Jake are superstars in the #sport, playing in the #NRL for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, NSW Blues and Australia. Younger sibling, Ben, 18, is following hot on their heels, signed last year in the Sea Eagles' full-time squad. While they've all got talent (including brother, Luke, who's carved his own successful...
2020-07-0830 min
SportsParenthoodPart 1: Sports parents Melissa and John Trbojevic must be doing something rightJake and Tom Trbojevic, along with brothers Ben and Luke, have kicked some big goals in sport - and supporting them every step of the way are their parents, John and Melissa. In this episode of SportsParenthood, this proud and humble mum and dad reflect on Tom's backyard cricket antics, Jake's short-lived soccer career, the influence of their local footy club, The Mona Vale Raiders, on all four boys - and their most "surreal" moment as sports parents. In no mean feat, Tom and Jake currently play in NRL for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, have represented the NSW Blues...
2020-07-0124 min
SportsParenthoodTracey Menzies-Stegbauer on why it's okay to let kids fail (and other interesting insights)In the first episode of SportsParenthood, decorated swimming coach, Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer, known for coaching five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe and current head swimming coach for the Rackley Swim Team at the Parkinson Aquatic Centre in Brisbane, talks to John and Tiffany about the traits shared by champion athletes. Her captivating insights cover how to measure a young athlete's performance, the sweet spot for training loads, and what NOT to do before your kid's game or race. In her trademark honestly, Tracey opens up about THAT 400 metre freestyle event at the 2004 Athens Olympics, following the false-start controversy that attracted the intense...
2020-06-2439 min
SportsParenthoodTrailer: SportsParenthoodSportsParenthood is a podcast for rookie sports parents. Join your hosts and fellow sports parents, John and Tiffany Bonasera, for in-depth conversations with sportspeople, coaches and professionals on what it takes to be a better sports parent. You'll hear different perspectives that'll give you clues - those golden nuggets of information - to help inform the way you sports parent. And, if there's one piece advice to give to your sport kids, what would it be?
2020-06-1402 min