In this episode, I'm joined by Des Ryan, a renowned expert in youth athletic development and coaching, with a career spanning elite roles at Arsenal, Irish Rugby, and now as Director of Sport and Physical Activity at the University of Galway. Des shares his wealth of knowledge on developing young athletes, fostering effective coaching practices, and navigating relationships between coaches, parents, and players. From practical advice for coaches to insights on creating a positive environment for youth development, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone involved in sport and coaching.   You can help support Tir Na Nóg orphanage by contributing to the fundraiser I've set up for listeners of the podcast; http://bit.ly/4fypLSh  I'd also like to thank MFC Sports who have come on board as main sponsors of the podcast series and look forward to developing a productive relationship moving forward.