"Rank F*****g Amateurs! But good dudes...." Al Davis (probably, if he ever met us....)
The world is awash with podcasts dedicated to the “1% of the 1%” that made or make their fame and fortune through sports.
This is not one of those podcasts.
Best known as non-professional American Football coaches, Nick Rockell and British American Football Hall of Fame Coach Mark Moss are absolute amateurs in in podcasting but always willing to try new things.
Join the long-time friends as they dig into the 99% of people that don’t get to rise to the publicly visible top of sports regardless of their time and sacrifice.
Maybe it’s a minority sport, they just aren’t good enough, tragedy came their way, or opportunities just haven’t materialised - the coaches find those that have achieved “success” in sport while living as regular Jimmy's and Jo's, talking about what sport means to them and its affect on their life and career.
In Season 1 the coaches revisit a period in their own coaching lives that makes them immensely proud - their combined13 years leading the London Blitz American Football program from 2003 through 2015 - talking to some of the standout players from teams in that era who have also gone on to stand out in their non-sport career.
Authentic (untrained), real (excuse us for that), and sometimes not for the faint-hearted (or impatient), we hope you enjoy this look at the genuine stories of the more conventional sports population.
Music by bassmanguk (top man!)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Rank F*****g Amateurs! But good dudes...." Al Davis (probably, if he ever met us....)
The world is awash with podcasts dedicated to the “1% of the 1%” that made or make their fame and fortune through sports.
This is not one of those podcasts.
Best known as non-professional American Football coaches, Nick Rockell and British American Football Hall of Fame Coach Mark Moss are absolute amateurs in in podcasting but always willing to try new things.
Join the long-time friends as they dig into the 99% of people that don’t get to rise to the publicly visible top of sports regardless of their time and sacrifice.
Maybe it’s a minority sport, they just aren’t good enough, tragedy came their way, or opportunities just haven’t materialised - the coaches find those that have achieved “success” in sport while living as regular Jimmy's and Jo's, talking about what sport means to them and its affect on their life and career.
In Season 1 the coaches revisit a period in their own coaching lives that makes them immensely proud - their combined13 years leading the London Blitz American Football program from 2003 through 2015 - talking to some of the standout players from teams in that era who have also gone on to stand out in their non-sport career.
Authentic (untrained), real (excuse us for that), and sometimes not for the faint-hearted (or impatient), we hope you enjoy this look at the genuine stories of the more conventional sports population.
Music by bassmanguk (top man!)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Music by bassmanguk (top man!)
Show Notes: The Neil Bowles Episode
Episode Overview: In this episode, Nick Rockell and Mark Moss sit down with Neil Bowles, a former Chairman, offensive lineman and offensive line coach with the London Blitz, who played a crucial role in the development of the program. Now the Vice President of Air Traffic Management at Adacel, Neil reflects on his journey from Belfast to the UK and UAE, his career in air traffic control, and the leadership lessons he took from American football into his professional life.
Key Topics & Takeaways:
· Growing up in Belfast during the Troubles and the impact on his early life and sporting experiences.
· Transitioning from rugby and cricket to American football at university.
· Learning the game in Ireland and the influence of early coaches.
· Moving to England, training as an air traffic controller, and searching for a team.
· Joining the Cheetahs and experiencing team culture in British American football.
· The decision to join the London Blitz and help build a struggling team into a powerhouse.
· The challenges and responsibilities of being club Chairman during a pivotal time in the Blitz’s history.
· How sport prepared him for leadership roles in his professional career.
· Coaching in Dubai and helping to establish the Emirates American Football League.
· The parallels between coaching football and managing professional teams.
· The importance of empowering teams, fostering a strong culture, and leading by example.
· Reflecting on the evolution of British American football and its future.
Final Thoughts: Neil Bowles’ journey from player to coach, and eventually to a high-level executive, highlights the power of sport in developing leadership, resilience, and teamwork. His experiences illustrate how lessons learned on the field—accountability, adaptability, and building a strong team culture—translate seamlessly into business and life. His story is a testament to the long-lasting impact of the sport beyond the playing field.
"Whether in football or business, the real challenge isn’t just knowing the game—it’s getting people to believe in the vision and push together to make it happen." – Neil Bowles
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.