Extra Soccer Podcast

Today’s guest is Grant McLeod who is a youth development coach from Scotland. He currently holds a Bachelors degree in Sport & Exercise Science, UEFA C Licence and ASCA accreditation. 

Grant started his career as a football coach with the Scottish Football Association, before working with a number of professional football clubs as a sport scientist and also as a strength and conditioning coach for the University of Stirling. 

Following this Grant spent 4 years working in South East Asia initially as a strength and conditioning coach in Singapore and then most recently as manager of Pre Academy and Womens Football at Buriram United's Football Development Programme in Thailand.

Grant and I discuss the highs and lows of coaching abroad and how his career pathway has educated and empowered him on his coaching journey.

In Episode 6, we are joined by Coach Yas, a UEFA A Licence and FA AYA qualified coach, who is also the founder of The Coaches Network and a MSc student. Yas and I discuss The Coaches Network and the opportunities it provides to coaches to continue their education, as well as the process of applying for the UEFA A Licence. Enjoy the episode and don’t forget to follow The Coaches Network Podcast.

In Episode 5, we welcome three practitioners who have experience of working within the Foundation Phase, taking a closer look at the role of a coach and phase lead within the phase. We discuss the every day realities of the roles, getting first hand insight from Chris Butt, Foundation Phase Lead at Sheffield Wednesday, Nathan Thomas, Lead Foundation Phase Coach at MK Dons, and James Scott, currently a head coach at a National South Men’s Team, and a Sports Science Lecturer who also has extensive experience in the YDP with professional academies, grassroots clubs and as a PE teacher.

On Episode 4, we welcome Harry Cosson, a UEFA Pro licence candidate currently living and working in Spain. Harry and I discuss elements of session design, including what makes a session special, how coaches can adapt their sessions and other interesting aspects such as differences between English and Spanish FA coaching badges. This episode is a no brainier for any grassroots coach out there!

Episode 3 is with Otis Khan, currently a professional football player with Tranmere Rovers FC. Otis has an impressive CV, playing for the likes of Manchester United Academy, Sheffield United, Mansfield Town, Yeovil & Newport County. In this episode, Otis and I discuss his life as a pro, how his previous setbacks have allowed him to push on and thrive, how young players can holistically look after themselves and his thoughts on his career so far, including his recent change to a new playing position. Otis really struck me with his ambition and down to earth character, and is definitely a name to look out for in the future.

In Episode 2, we host Jackie Bushell, currently Academy Operations & Head of Education at MK Dons FC Academy. In the episode, we delve into Jackie’s journey, her experiences of teaching and coach education, her amazing research into the development of the teenage brain, and the challenges she has faced in building a career as a female in a male dominated industry. We promised our podcast would be diverse and challenge the status quo, so join us for an open and honest discussion. 

Jackie has over 30 years experience of teaching, coaching and mentoring. Jackie is a UEFA A Licence Coach and worked at the Football Association for 17 years before moving into her role at MK Dons in 2020.

Joining us for Episode 1 of the Extra Soccer Podcast is Colin Chambers, CEO & Education Director at the International Professional Scouting Organisation (IPSO). Colin has many years of experience of talent ID & scouting within the elite game and in this episode, we discuss the current climate, how IPSO can support coaches and scouts and some critical issues this topic presents. Join us for a unique insight into the world of scouting and also check out IPSO and how they can support your ongoing education.