🎙️ Using play to improve performance with Richard Cheetham

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Richard Cheetham, a senior fellow in sports coaching, to explore the evolving landscape of coaching. From learner empathy and innovative coaching methods to the critical role of play in athlete development, Richard shares his insights on what truly makes coaching effective.

They discuss how early experiences in sport shape long-term engagement, why coaching should balance sports science with emotional connection, and how playfulness fosters creativity and performance. Richard also reflects on cross-sport learning, the challenges posed by AI in coaching, and why the best coaches are those who remain curious and adaptable.

🔍 Key Takeaways: ✅ Coaching is about understanding the struggle of the learner. ✅ Play should be integrated into coaching, not just used as a reward. ✅ Innovative coaching methods create engaging learning environments. ✅ Sports science should support, not dominate, the coaching process. ✅ Authentic engagement and creativity are crucial for athlete development.

📌 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Richard Cheetham and His Journey 03:11 Innovative Coaching Methods and Learner Empathy 05:45 The Evolution of Coaching: Expectations and Engagement 09:09 Balancing Sports Science and Coaching 11:58 The Role of Play in Coaching 24:04 Defining Play and Its Importance in Sports 28:57 The Influence of Early Experiences in Sports 34:24 Creating a Playful Environment for Learning 38:42 Innovative Approaches to Coaching 44:06 Divergent Thinking and Cross-Sport Learning 49:21 The Future of Coaching in an AI World 54:14 The Power of Playful Engagement

📖Read more on Richard here:

Richard Cheetham - University of Winchester

🔗Connect with Richard here:

(3) Richard Cheetham MBE | LinkedIn

👀 Whether you're a coach, athlete, or simply passionate about performance, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning, engagement, and the true purpose of sport.

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#Coaching #SportsPsychology #LearnerEmpathy #InnovativeCoaching #PlayInSport #AthleteDevelopment #RichardCheetham #SupportingChampions