This year sportH.E was invtied back to BUCS conference to record another live episode. In this special edition, I was joined on stage by 4 inspiring students who shared their insights and advice on how to build a great sporting experience.
We got to hear their views on our sector, the work they are doing within their own Universities and what they would do if they were a Director of Sport or BUCS CEO for a day!
It was a truly fascinating dive into the student experience. We hear about the challenges of cost, opportunity and equality of access. However, more importantly, we get to witness the passion, commitment and boldness of young people to find solutions, start new initiatives, challenge convention and embrace the amazing power of sport and physical activity.
Through their own words, they reinforced that whilst our sector faces some tremendous challenges, little else can create the same sense of belonging, break down barriers, develop life skills, tackle loneliness and improve learning.
In this conversation, Phil Malatesta shares his unique journey into the world of H.E sport, from an original apprenticeship, then stints in the private sector, and a number of stops both in the University and Student Union side of H.E. We discuss his career path and the resilience and tenacity this has instilled in him.
We also get the opportunity to discuss the recent developments at the University of Southampton, including new facilities and initiatives aimed at increasing student participation and improving the overall experience. He also touches on the importance of collaboration with student unions and local organizations, as well as the value of co-designing programs with students to ensure their needs are met.
Throughout the discussion, Phil offers valuable insights and advice for aspiring professionals in the field of higher education sport and recommends 'The Geopolitical Economy of Sport' by Simon Chadwick.
In this conversation, Danielle Farrell shares her journey from growing up in Ireland and pursuing a career in sports education to becoming the Head of Sport at UA92. She discusses the challenges and opportunities she faced along the way, including her experiences as a sabbatical officer and the importance of student voice in higher education. Danielle highlights the unique approach of UA92, emphasizing its commitment to character development and flexible learning structures that cater to diverse student needs. The conversation also touches on the impact of sports on personal development and the importance of community in fostering connections among students. We explore Danielle's journey in building a sports program at UA92, highlighting the challenges and successes of integrating new students, establishing a unique brand, and fostering a thriving sports community. She reflects on the growth of the institution, the importance of networking, and the role of the Class of 92 in supporting the university's mission.
In this conversation, Mark Munro, Director of Sport & Active Health at the University of Edinburgh shares his extensive journey in sports management, detailing his experiences from grassroots development to high-level governance in athletics. He discusses the challenges faced during his tenure at UK Athletics, including financial instability and leadership changes, and reflects on the importance of collaboration between national governing bodies and higher education institutions.
Mark highlights the economic and soicla impact study they have recently completed and the need for effective communication and partnerships to enhance the sector's impact.
We talk about the importance of collaboration between various departments, the value of sport in education, and the need for clear communication and integration within the university's strategy. Mark also highlights the challenges faced in the sports sector, the significance of measuring the impact of sport, and the importance of mentorship and personal growth. He concludes with valuable advice for emerging professionals in the field.
Mark recommends Finding Ultra by Rich Roll as a source of inspiration.
In this conversation, Keith Morris, Director of Sport at the University of York, shares his journey in sport management, detailing his experiences from his early career. He discusses the challenges faced in higher education sport, the importance of building a constructive culture, and the need for flexibility in managing diverse teams. Keith emphasizes the significance of passion in sport, the necessity of clear communication, and the lessons learned from past mistakes in leadership.
We also discuss the importance of navigating difficult conversations, self-reflection, and the need for effective management within university sport. We explore the significance of collaboration between departments, building relationships with student leaders, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, Keith shares insights on the influences that have shaped his perspective and offers valuable advice for aspiring sports professionals, emphasizing the importance of integrity, understanding one's role, and fostering a positive environment.
Keith recommends 'Surrounded by Idiots' by Thomas Erikson.
In this conversation, Vicky Ackerley shares her journey from a passionate athlete to the Director of Residences and Sport at the University of Manchester. We discuss the evolution of sport education, the challenges of managing a broad portfolio that includes both sports and residences, and the importance of advocating for the value of sport in higher education.
Vicky emphasises the need for a shift in mindset regarding health and fitness, highlighting the long-term benefits of physical activity and the role universities play in fostering a culture of health among students. We also explore the future of H.E sport, addressing the volatile environment and the need for continued advocacy, emphasising the need for recognition of higher education sport and the challenges faced in the sector.
Vicky refers to the Harvard paper on Level 5 Leadership, which you can find here: https://hbr.org/2001/01/level-5-leadership-the-triumph-of-humility-and-fierce-resolve-2
In this conversation, I had the immense pleasure of being joined by Paul Bedford from Retention Guru to discuss all things health & fitness, sales and retention. Paul shares his extensive background in leisure and fitness, emphasizing the need for support for new exercisers and the common mistakes made by health clubs.
We explore the balance between sales and retention, the significance of member engagement, and the challenges posed by budget gyms. Paul also provides insights on measuring retention effectively and the unique value that university facilities can offer to students. I also quiz Paul on his thoughts on the emerging trends in the fitness industry, emphasizing the importance of strength training and the concept of 'active healthcare' as a proactive approach to wellness.
We discuss the need for fitness professionals to engage with healthcare providers and the significance of managing anxiety for higher-education students. Paul also shares valuable advice for aspiring sports and leisure professionals, focusing on the importance of mentorship, layered learning, and time management.
Paul recommends the following podcasts for his own inspiration:
Future of Fitness - Eric Malzone
Lifts - Matthew Januszeck
You can find more information about Paul and his work on retention by checking out - https://www.retentionguru.com/
In this conversation, Euan Smith shares his career journey to the Director of Sport at the University of Glasgow. He discusses his ambition, the importance of understanding people in sport, and the impact of coaching on personal and professional development. Euan emphasizes the significance of business coaching as a leadership tool and reflects on his own experiences with coaching, highlighting the importance of reaching out for support and the fulfillment derived from helping others. Euan shares his journey through coaching education, the challenges he faced balancing responsibilities, and the importance of support from colleagues and mentors.
He discusses valuable lessons learned from coaching experiences, the significance of visualization in achieving goals, and the resources available for aspiring coaches. Euan reflects on the concept of life energy, emphasizing the need for balance and self-care in a demanding career. He concludes with advice for those entering the coaching field, highlighting the importance of hard work, celebrating successes, and maintaining kindness in professional relationships.
We discuss a number of resources in this episode, and you can find more information below:
The Coaching Habit - Michael Bungay Stanier
Power of Moments - Dan & Chip Heath
Coaching for Leaders Podcast - Hosted by Dave Stachowiak
In this conversation, Gavin Ward, a senior lecturer in physical education at the University of Wolverhampton, discusses his research on race and equality in sport, particularly focusing on the experiences of non-white participants in the BUCS ecosystem. The conversation delves into the complexities of racial terminology, the findings of the research, and the implications for H.E.
Gavin emphasizes the importance of creating spaces for dialogue about race and the need for protocols to address racial abuse in sports settings. We discuss the complexities of addressing abuse in sports, the importance of data and accountability in universities, and the need for mediation and social justice. The conversation also touches on the power of sport in creating a sense of belonging and the significance of understanding values and behaviors in sports. Finally, Gavin offers advice for aspiring sports professionals and reflects on the importance of self-awareness regarding identity and biases.
Gavin recommends Winning by Clive Woodward as an inspirational resource.
You can find more information on the Race & Equality research and working group, here: https://www.bucs.org.uk/resources-page/race-and-equality-research.html
In this conversation, Phil shares his diverse career journey leading to his role as Director of Sport at the University of East Anglia. He discusses his experiences in Saudi Arabia, his early career in the private leisure sector and the nuances of the Director of Sport role. Phil emphasizes the significance of teamwork and the transferable skills between sports management and other sectors, while also reflecting on personal development and lessons learned throughout his career. We take a specific deep dive into Phil's reflections on leadership throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics.
Phil recommends the following resources:
The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor
No rule Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, Reed Hastings, Erin Meyer
You can find more information on the 'Value of Sport' work here: https://www.bucs.org.uk/resources-page/demonstrating-the-value-of-higher-education-sport.html
In this week's episode, I am delighted to be joined by Andy Allford, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham.
Andy discusses his career journey and we take a deep dive into the role of sport in higher education. We get to explore his experience at the 2012 Olympics and listen to the lessons he learned about performance, prevention, and creating a supportive environment.
In our conversation, we discuss the evolving role of sport in higher education (HE) and the challenges and opportunities it presents. We consider the current competitive model in university sport and whether it needs to be reevaluated. We expore the need to measure the value of sport beyond the traditional metrics, such as BUCS points, and focus on the broader objectives it can achieve, such as recruitment, retention, and alumni engagement.
Andy also shares his experience of hosting the Commonwealth Games and the benefits it brought to the University of Birmingham. He advises aspiring HE sport professionals to be a sponge, get involved in as much as possible, and know when to get in and get out of opportunities.
Andy recommends 'Pig Wrestling' by Mark Bawden and Pete Lindsay.
Today's episode features our first leader from outside H.E. Hayley Lever is the CEO of Greater Manchester Moving, the organisation responsible for changing lives through movement, physical activity and sport across Manchester.
I've been fortunate to spend some time with Hayley over the last few years and have found the work that she is leading to be pioneering and inspirational.
Our conversation explores the concept of systems thinking and systems leadership in the context of promoting physical activity and tackling inequalities. We discuss the origins of the GM Moving movement and its approach to addressing inactivity and inequalities and highlight the importance of understanding the multiple influences on physical activity and the need for a whole-system approach. We discuss the challenges of adopting a systems approach, including the tension between traditional measurement and evaluation systems and the need for more flexible and emergent approaches.
Hayley discusses the tipping point in the adoption of a whole systems approach to addressing inactivity and inequalities in Greater Manchester. She emphasizes the importance of clarity of purpose, the critical role of relationships, and the need for a both/and mindset. Hayley also highlights the value of creating space and time for learning and reflection, and the power of embracing difficult moments as opportunities for change. She recommends the book 'Dare to Lead' by Brené Brown and encourages aspiring sport professionals to trust themselves, keep an open mind, and find their sweet spot in the intersection of what they love, what they're good at, what they can be paid for, and what the world needs.
Throughout our conversation, Hayley references a number of resources and you can find links to them below:
Hayleys Blog - Blog Contents: Leadership, Learning and Life. – Hayley Lever (wordpress.com)
Hayleys Ted Talk - https://hayleyleverblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/20/the-power-of-active-soles-to-change-the-world/
Dr William Bird Video - Dr. William Bird MBE, Intelligent Health - YouTube
GM Moving - https://www.gmmoving.co.uk/
In this episode I was delighted to welcome, Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath to the show.
Stephen discusses his career journey and the role of sport at the university. He highlights the importance of partnerships in supporting performance athletes and the success of Team Bath. He also addresses the challenges facing the higher education sector, including funding constraints and increasing costs. Despite these challenges, he emphasizes the value of sport in the university's reputation and student experience. In this part of the conversation, Stephen Baddeley discusses the challenges of advocating for sport internally and the difficulty of demonstrating the value of sport in a mechanistic way. He reflects on the loss of the netball franchise and the financial challenges faced by universities in supporting professional or semi-professional teams. He shares the greatest moment in his career, winning the European Championships in badminton, and the person who had the biggest influence on him. He also offers three pieces of advice for aspiring HE sport professionals: focus on finances, don't avoid difficult conversations, and be open to changing your mind.
Stephen recommends The One Minute Manager by Blanchard & Johnson as a resource he recommends.
SportH.E goes international! In this episode, we get a unique opportunity to explore the U.S College Sport environment, where we are joined by Brian Sereno, Associate Director of Communications at George Washington University.
GW is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and has 20 intercollegiate varsity programs with approximately 400 student-athletes.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Brian discusses his role in telling the stories of student-athletes and promoting the university's sports programs. He emphasizes the importance of athletics in building community and fostering personal growth and leadership skills. Sereno also touches on topics such as Title IX, name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, and the broadcasting of college sports.
Brian recommends Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin as a great read.
In this episode, we are joined by Richard Wheater, Director of Sport at Loughborough University. Unless you've been living under a rock you will know that Loughborough is a global leading sports institution and is often cited as the sector leader in the UK.
We recorded this episode just after the Paris Olympics, where multiple Loughborough students were excelling on the world stage so it was a great time to sit down with Richard and 'lift the lid' on the environment and culture at the University.
Richard discusses his career journey from aspiring musician to Director of Sport. He highlights the importance of being authentic and values-driven in leadership, and how his military experience shaped his leadership style. Richard also talks about the strategic support for sport at Loughborough University and the focus on both elite and grassroots participation. He explains the structural change between the professional service of sport and the student union and the positive outcomes of this collaboration.
Richard discusses the importance of trust and communication in working with governing bodies and delivering a successful student experience. He emphasizes the value of talented athletes and the need for a student-centred approach. Richard also discusses the challenges facing the higher education sector, such as changes in funding and the increasing competitiveness of sport.
Richard recommends the book 'Yes to the Mess' by Frank J Barrett as a resource for leadership lessons.
In this special live edition, recorded at BUCS Conference in 2024 I had the opportunity to speak and listen to 4 women on their leadership journeys within sport. A huge thanks to Kate Cox (Sheffield Hallam), Katie Storie (Newcastle), Jo Emmett (Loughborough) and Sam Bell-Minogue (BUCS) for being part of this sensational panel.
With searing honesty, we hear the lived experiences of women who have progressed into leadership roles and explore the challenges they have embraced along the way.
We cover many topics, including gender equity, gender bias, appearance, International Women's Day balancing a career with parenthood and so much more.
We are ending season 1 with a bang! A huge privilege to welcome Jo Coates to SportH.E. For the past 6 months, Jo has been interim CEO at BUCS. Prior to this she has held roles at the very pinnacle of sport in the UK, including stints at England Netball and UK Athletics. Not having worked in HE/FE before I was intrigued to listen to her reflections and thoughts on the sector and the conversation doesn't disappoint. We cover a huge array of topics from media, branding and commercial to NGB's, transgender issues and the huge sporting spectacle that are Nationals and BUCS Big Wednesday.
In addition, we also get to hear from Jo on her career to date, the highs and lows of working in sport and her lessons for any aspiring sport industry professionals.
Jo recommends 'Normal Women' by Philippa Gregory as a book that she has recommended to others the most.
In this episode we get the opportunity to spend some time with Paul Tilley, Head of Sport and Recreation at the University of Portsmouth.
We cover so much in this episode but in particular we take a deep dive into the development and subsequent impact and management of not only the largest single sports facility development in our sector of recent years but also the most sustainable in the UK. It is a great listen for anyone looking to chart a similar path.
However, the interview is also about so much more, where we hear Paul openly share with us the challenges and hurdles he has had to overcome in his career and his personal and professional development.
For inspiration Paul highlights the High Performance Podcast and in particular the episode with Shaun Dyche.
In this week's epsiode I was delighted to be joined by our first guest from Ireland. Michelle Tanner is the Head of Sport and Recreation at Trinity College Dublin.
We'll hear about the funding and structures in place at Trinity and how Michelle navigates these to drive the sport agenda. We'll also learn about the hugely successful 'Mind, Body, Boost' programme that is improving student mental health through sport and activity. Michelle, tells us how after some initial setbacks, the power of perseverance has driven this project to amazing heights, now being delivered across the UK and Europe.
Michelle recommends, Open, Andre Agassi's autobiography and The Secret Race by Tyler Hamilton as sources of inspiration.
We also talk about ENAS and you can find out more information about the organisation here - https://www.enas-sport.net/
It was a real treat to spend some time in the company of Dave Parry from the University of Essex in this week's episode.
Dave shares his winding story into HE sport, revealing some incredibly personal insights into his journey and the lessons he has learnt along the way that have shaped him into the leader he is today.
We also get to peak behind the curtain, into the pioneering work Essex are doing to drive fan engagement through their performance sport programmes and bring 'US style razmatazz' to the UK.
Dave is another example of a great human being, who is able to offer sage advice and doing some fantastic work to enhance the student experience through sport. This episode is definitely not one to miss!
Dave recommends we check out 'The Growth Equation' podcast, a place he goes to often for inspiration.