Challenging the Game

Contact Confident

In this episode, Jess is joined by Dr Anna Stodter who helped create Contact Confident, a World Rugby programme. Contact Confident is aimed at coaches of female rugby pla

Mental Health and Menstrual Health

In this episode, Jess is joined by Emma Quinn, a PhD researcher exploring menstruation in elite sport. They discuss menstrual health including endometriosis and PMDD, the

Care, Connection and Coaching in the PWR

Jess is joined by Kim Oliver, assistant coach and mentor with Trailfinders Women. They chat about showing care and connection with players. They also discuss coaching ski

The coach's guide to sports bras

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Amelia Doxey, brand manager and sports bra fitter for Boobydoo. They chat about the sports bra education for all a

Placing health at the heart of a player's journey

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Kathryn Meadows, Female Athlete Health Specialist. They chat about the current landscape of teen sport, girls rugb

Female coaches, the system, structures and coach development

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Emily Handyside who is Coaching Team Lead at UK Coaching. They chat about what needs to happen to ensure female co

"Soft skills", finding opportunities in water breaks and scaffolding challenge

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Dr Ed Hall who is coach developer, consultant and reseacher. They speak about coach development, including their o

Impact, young people and parents

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Professor Camilla Knight who is Director of Impact, Innovation and Engagement at Greenhouse Sports. They speak abo

Mental health, connection and support

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Heather Lewis who is Head of Delivery for LooseHeadz. They speak about mental health, how coaches can support them

Being playful matters

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Richard Cheetham MBE. They speak about including play in coaching sessions and why it’s important (for recruitment

Podcast Collab: Sisters who Scrum!

Part of an ongoing collaborations with Holly from Sisters Who Scrum…check out this podcast episode with Holly and Helena, a women’s health physio. They chat about rugby a

Care and respect

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Ramsey Tomokino who coached Manusina, Samoa women’s team, during the World Cup. Ramsey is now the General Manager

Hormonal research in practice

In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Bex Attwell. Bex is embedded within Matatū team in New Zealand. Her research explores hormonal changes in players

Create psychological safety in girls rugby

In this episode Jess is joined by teacher and coach Dan Lycett. They discuss Dan’s experiences of coaching his daughter’s team including: what ‘detail’ looks like in sess

Coaching Bestie

In this episode Jess is joined by coach Andy Stevens. They chat about how they support, check and challenge each other. Plus how they’ve reflected as they’ve developed th

World Cup Hype and Legacy

In this episode Jess is joined by Alice Soper a hugely passionate women’s rugby advocate and writer. Jess and Alice discuss the 2022 and 2025 World Cups and their legacy.

Social justice in sport

In this episode Jess is joined by Professor Leanne Norman. Leanne is the Director of the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society within the Carnegie School of Spor

Returning to rugby after a vaginal prolapse

In this episode Jess is joined by Holly Ingram. Holly describes her vaginal prolapse, rehab and return to rugby. She also discusses how she’s raised awareness within her

Stats of the game

In this episode Jess is joined by Sam Larner. They chat about stats from women’s rugby, including looking ahead to the World Cup. They also discuss what stats to collect

Bonus Pod: Rusty is back!

In this episode Jess is joined by Russell Earnshaw. They chat about how they define learning, using videos at training and their coaching journeys Subscribe to Coaching