In this episode, we’re joined by Tracy Lewis, an expert in physiotherapy with years of experience supporting elite athletes — including her time as Head of Physiotherapy for The Women’s National Team at The FA.

We dive into the key physical development considerations for young footballers aged 5–16, exploring the most common injuries, how to spot signs of overtraining, and the crucial differences in how boys and girls develop.

Whether you’re a grassroots coach, a parent, or someone involved in youth development, this episode is packed with practical advice to help young players stay healthy, strong, and injury-free — without burning out.

🧠 Learn how to balance fun, performance, and wellbeing — and why your job is to develop healthy, confident kids, not just better footballers.