BCAB Coaching Podcast

S4 Ep.6 COACHING Neurodiversity in Sport with Helena Russo, Caragh McMurtry and Nerys Hall

Following on from Neurodiversity Celebration Week earlier this month, this fascinating and important episode explores neurodiversity in sport. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to develop their understanding of neurodivergence, or to start or continue a conversation with a coach or athlete about this.

Helena Russo, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at British Canoeing discusses this topic with:

• Nerys Hall, who is in her final junior year of marathon and sprint racing
• Caragh McMurtry, who is a former Olympic rower and founder of Neurodiverse Sport

Nerys and Caragh have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and high functioning autism, respectively. Together, they discuss their sporting achievements, what their diagnosis means, and how it has affected their sporting lives.

They go on to explore the barriers they have faced and the strategies they put in place to improve performance. The main part of the episode involves Caragh and Nerys giving top tips to coaches so that they consider neurodivergence and adapt their coaching practice accordingly. Importantly, they explain the need to change the narrative from neurodiverse sportspeople being a problem to one about creating a supportive and understanding environment in which neurodiverse sportspeople can perform at their best and make best use of their superpowers.

Feel free to add a comment about this episode. We'd love to know your thoughts about it.

A transcript for the episode is available here.

 

S4 Ep.5 RERUN - Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Diversity with Helena Russo

The second episode of our "from the vaults" rerun mini-series, is a conversation with Helena Russo, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead at British Canoeing in 2021.  Helena will be delving deeper into the subject of Equality, Diversity and Diversity (EDI), with an episode focusing on Neurodiversity in Sport coming soon.

In this re-released introductory episode Helena explains why we need to consider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how to embed that into our coaching practice. She gives examples of some barriers to participation in paddlesport as well as explains how we can develop our understanding of EDI and overcome the barriers we may have to providing truly inclusive coaching. Download a transcript of the episode here.

S4 Ep.4 COACHING - Entrapment and Coach Burnout with Ben Woodruff

In a follow-up conversation, Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing, talks to Ben Woodruff about his further research study into the role of entrapment in coach burnout. 

In this episode Lee and Ben discuss what entrapment is, the different ways entrapment impacts coach burnout, what to look out for as a coach and how also deployers can best support coaches to mitigate the risk of burnout. 

 

You can find Ben's research paper here

 

A transcript for this episode is available here

 

If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health, please seek help:

• Mind
• Calm
• NHS or see your GP
• Samaritans
• Mental Health Foundation
• Counselling

 

S4 Ep. 3 TALENT - S&C Miniseries - Adding S&C into Training Programmes

This episode is the third and final episode of a three-part Strength & Conditioning Series, in this part we talk about how coaches and paddlers can incorporate strength and conditioning into a training programme and what principles should be followed.

To discuss this topic area Daniel Thompson, British Canoeing Talent Operations Coordinator, is joined by Ben Lewis, British Canoeing Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coordinator.   

Download a transcript of the episode here.

S4 Ep. 2 - RERUN - Burnout in Coaches with Ben Woodruff

The first episode of our "from the vaults" rerun mini-series, is a conversation on Coach Burnout between Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing, and Ben Woodruff, recorded in 2021 during Ben's time in the Coaching Team.  Another part of this conversation will be coming soon, following Ben's further research on the topic.

 

This episode covers Ben's original research into the personal and situational stressors that lead to burnout in sports coaches, as well as how to spot burnout, and how to prevent yourself or others burning out.

Before you listen, please be aware that this podcast covers some sensitive subjects around mental health, with some content that may be triggering for those with mental health conditions. It’s an important conversation, but please only listen if you can.

 

You can find the research conducted by Ben here.

 

You can download the episode transcript here.

 

Struggling with mental health?

If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health, please seek help:

• Mind
• Calm
• NHS or see your GP
• Samaritans
• Mental Health Foundation
• Counselling

Want to learn more?

Want to learn more about how to support the paddlers you coach or those around you with their mental health? Visit the below:

• Open University
• Mind
• BBC
• NHS
• Mental Health Foundation

Supporting paddlers

 

As part of our continual commitment to support paddlers we are offering a service for anyone who has witnessed, been involved or has been affected by a paddlesport incident. Please use the contact details on the British Canoeing Safety page if you would like to talk to one of our trained TRIM Practitioners who can offer support and signpost to an appropriate agency.

 

S4 Ep.1 COACHING - Coaching from the Bank with Scott Hynds

The Coaching Podcast is back for season 4 with a conversation about Coaching from the Bank. Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing, is joined again by Scott Hynds, Sprint Coach Developer in the Talent Programme, for today's episode. 

Scott and Lee discuss topics including how to best prepare for coaching paddlers from a pushbike, what to consider depending on the season and the feedback benefits for athletes. Scott shares practical tips from his wide experience to help coaches get the most out of bank-based coaching sessions. 

Download a transcript of the episode here.

S3 Ep.22 COACHING - 2022 Year in Review & 2023 Plans

For the final episode of 2022, Lee Pooley, British Canoeing Director of Coaching and Qualifications, and Sid Sinfield, Performance Coach Developer, are looking back at the year in conversation with Debbie Thompson, Digital Learning Designer. 

Lee and Sid share their highlights from the podcast, as well as paddling experiences both professional and personal. We also look forward to what's coming in another busy year in 2023.

You can find links to the podcast episodes mentioned below:

Decision making

Coach Burnout

Role of a Performance Psychologist

Role of a Performance Analyst 

Thanks for listening, we'll be back in January with a new episode. 

S3 Ep.21 COACHING - Decision Making with Georgina Maxwell & Dan Wilkinson

Decision Making is the focus of today's conversation between Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing, and two members of the British Canoeing White Water Technical Group: Georgina Maxwell and Dan Wilkinson. 

Georgina and Dan share insight from their wide paddling experience on different types of decision making and the impact our decisions can have, as well as giving guidance on how we can use reflection to improve our decisions in future. 

Download a transcript of the episode here.

S3 Ep.20 TALENT - S&C Miniseries - The Purpose of Strength & Conditioning

This episode is the second of a three-part Strength & Conditioning series from the England Talent Programme. In this part we talk about the purpose of Strength and Conditioning, address some concerns people might have around S&C, as well as highlighting the benefits. Finally, we begin to look at how S&C can be structured in a training programme. 

To discuss this topic area Daniel Thompson, British Canoeing Talent Operations Coordinator, is joined by Ben Lewis, British Canoeing Pathway Strength and Conditioning Coordinator.   

Download a transcript of the episode here.

S3 Ep.19 COACHING - Touring in Winter with Pia Philbey

Touring in Winter is the topic of conversation in this episode today between Lee Pooley, Director of Coaching and Qualifications at British Canoeing, and Pia Philbey, from the British Canoeing Touring Technical Group. 

Pia shares tips on all aspects of preparation for touring during the winter months, including clothes, kit and planning. Lee and Pia also cover adapting to challenging conditions and touring with mixed-craft groups. 

Download a transcript of the episode here.