SportsParenthood

Is "The Tiger Effect" still a thing for parents?

This week, you’ll hear from John Serhan, one of Australia’s most successful coaches who is currently head teaching professional at St Michael’s Golf Club in Sydney’s east.

He knows all too well that people like Woods are the exception, not the rule. So, what does it take to be a professional golfer? And, why golf is a great sport for young ?

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-78-john-serhan

This is the final episode for this season!

We'll be back soon after the school holidays. 😊

NEW | How do we build character in our kids?

This week, you'll hear from David King, who speaks honestly and openly about his early success as an , his natural talent, and in his words, “being washed up” by the time he was just 15.

For David, a mental skills , director of administration at a school in Sydney, , endurance athlete and charity director, his early experiences have led him to appreciate the importance of strengths over skill.

He’s developed a new program called WISPA Wellbeing, which he’ll be launching in the this month.

To give you a taste of David’s work, we did a short survey prior to the interview, and he unpacks our answers on the show.

You’ll find them interesting — and spot on!

🎧 LISTEN NOW: www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-77-david-king

NEW EPISODE | What’s a parent to do when your child stops playing? How are we supposed to feel about it? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️

This week, we reflect on how this situation has impacted on us, and how we’ve processed it quite differently... in an unedited discussion.

👂LISTEN NOW: www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-76-whats-a-sports-parent-to-do-when-your-child-stops-playing

Oh, and do you like the 'podcast studio'? 🤣 John Bonasera

NEW EPISODE I Is freedom the greatest gift we can give our kids?

This week, you’ll hear from Nicola Carey, Australian , who currently plays in the Women’s Big Bash League for the Hobart Hurricanes.

She has also named in the Australian Cricket squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, another exciting step in her career, since her international debut in 2018.

So, how did this talented athlete from Kingsgrove in Sydney end up playing cricket, and what’s her message for sports parents?

🎧 LISTEN NOW: www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-75-nicola-carey

Do your sports kids feel , even , before they play a game or line up to compete? What does this mean?

As sports parents, what can we do to help?

In this episode, we speak with Rory Darkins — a high-performance and positive psychology researcher who transitioned into the mental side of sport while playing high-level .

Today, Rory talks us through nerves and shares with us one of the most but underrated tools we have to regulate our nervous system.

What is it? And what impact can it have on our kids, and us, too.

Plus, he’s just launched a new app called In8.

🎧 LISTEN NOW: www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-74-rory-darkins

This week on , we speak with Yasmin Clydsdale (nee Meakes), who plays for the Sydney Roosters in NRLW.

Over the past two seasons, Yasmin's played in two grand finals, scored a try in one — and won a premiership — playing every minute of every game during the season, along with making her State of Origin debut. Wow!

You’ll hear how she started playing , and why it’s a great game for women and girls.

LISTEN NOW: www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-73-yasmin-clydesdale

This week on , be prepared to experience light bulb moment after light bulb moment. 💡

That’s how John and I felt while speaking with our guest, Gayelene Clews, renowned and performance , educator and author of the book, Wired to Play.

This is one of those conversations that’ll have you reaching for your notepad. There is so much insight:

🙌 The role passion plays in kids’ sport
🙌 Encourage our kids to have a meta cognitive approach
🙌 Managing emotional energy, and
🙌 The importance of caring less.

Plus, why Gayelene tells her athletes to throw their smart watches away.

LISTEN NOW: https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-72-gayelene-clews

Something tells us you’ve got strong feelings about community . Your kids have probably had great community coaches, and perhaps they’ve experienced not-so-great ones, too.

You may even be a coach yourself — and goodness knows, it’s a tough gig.

This week on , we speak with Richard McInnes, CEO of Water Polo Australia, and a degree-qualified sports scientist and former multiple World Cup-winning coach.

He talks to us about what Water Polo Australia is doing as an early adopter of the new community coaching reforms…

what makes a great coach, and he says something that we want to highlight, underline, and circle as a key message for and coaches!

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-71-richard-mcinnes

In the first episode in our new season of the show, sports psychologist Rob Brown joins us to talk about a topic that is increasing in prominence: and performance.
🐹🐱

It is well-documented animals can help us reduce , , and , and ease loneliness. Animals have been used in settings like hospitals and airports for their calming qualities.

Less known is that athletes are using to up their mental game. So, why are animals helpful for athletes? You are going to love this conversation...

Oh, and PLEASE share a pic of your sports kids and pets! 👇

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-70-rob-brown

Well, hasn't it been a heck of a term?

Who's looking forward to the school holidays? 🙋‍♀️🙋

We wanted to let you know we're taking a short break, and will be back in your ears on Thursday, 28 April for a new season of .

In the meantime, why don't you catch up on this season's 10 episodes? They're bangers. (I've stolen this word from our teenager daughter 😂).

Here's a link to where you'll find them:

🎧 LISTEN: https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/podcasts/page/7

Thank you for joining us each week. Your ongoing support is why we keep producing the .

If there’s one thing sports parents are talking about right now — it’s . Who’s got it, who’s had it, who has to isolate? It feels relentless, it feels exhausting, and it feels unfair.

Besides the obvious inconvenience of having to isolate with COVID, we wanted to talk about what happens next.

Like you, we’ve heard stories of who have been able to jump back into sport easily, and others who have experienced lasting impacts. This is the peculiar thing about COVID.

This week, you’ll hear from from Dr. Paul Bloomfield, who is a specialist and physician on key considerations for kids coming back post-COVID.

Plus, a little bit about our personal experience.

What's been your return-to-play experience?

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-69-dr-paul-bloomfield

What happens when young are thrust into the spotlight, without the maturity and skills to handle the situation?

For most of us, we have no first-hand experience of what it’s like, how it feels, and much less the scrutiny involved.

Are our expectations too high?

This week, we’re bringing you a perspective from professional rugby league player, Dylan Walker, who has walked this path.

He went from obscurity to the next-big-thing — and admits he didn’t know how to deal with the .

We’re not making excuses — and neither is Dylan. Instead, this is about understanding HOW it can happen.

You'll hear an and story, including the role of FOMO and ego.

Plus, a REALLY funny tale about his mum!

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-68-dylan-walker

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL

This week on , a guest who is close to our heart. You’ll hear from our eldest daughter, Andie.

When she was six months old, John suggested we take her to see a pediatrician to get a proper check-up.

She was a fussy feeder and wasn’t a great sleeper.

In fact, she hardly slept at all during the night.

Still, nothing prepared us for what happened next. She was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect or ASD — a congenital defect.

In this episode, we speak with Andie about:

✅ what having an ASD has meant for her
✅ how she got involved in competitive swimming
✅ plus, honest feedback on the way we sports parent.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-67-andie-bonasera

NEW | KIDS AND CONCUSSION IN SPORT

Many of us are faced with making the tough decision on whether or not to let our kids play a which we think may have a higher likelihood of concussion, like contact or combat sports.

In this episode of , Byron Field shares some of the latest evidence on , we chat about tech tools that can help, the importance of nailing technique...
.. along with what we SHOULD be doing if a child or adolescent does get a head knock or is diagnosed with concussion.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-66-byron-field

Do you follow SportsParenthood in your favourite app?

What would you do if your child got offered TWO sporting contracts, in TWO sports, on ONE weekend?!

It is EXACTLY what happened — at the end of last year — to our guest on the show today, Nicole Dennis.

In this episode of , she talks us through this very situation, when her daughter Heidi got offered contracts with both Brisbane Roar FC and the Queensland Academy of Sport Reds Rugby Sevens program — at the same time.

🤷‍♀️ What’s going to be best for her?
🤷‍♀️ How’s it going to work being a dual-contracted athlete?
🤷‍♀️ Is it even possible?

These are some of the many questions that were racing through Nicole’s mind during what she describes at “the most exciting and mentally-draining time”.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-65-nicole-dennis

This week on SportsParenthood, it’s just the two of us.

With no guest to keep us on the straight and narrow, it’s an interesting episode! 🤪

On the show, we discuss what parents are talking about in 2022:

🎖The bittersweet reality of competitor-only swimming carnivals.
🎖The intense competition and drama at the Beijing Winter Games.
🎖Player and team grading — and how it can go pear-shaped.
🎖Logistics and the balancing act of being sports parents.

Plus, I have a bone to pick with John! 😂

What are you talking about in 2022?

Let us know in the comments.👇

Thanks for listening, Tiffany

🎧 https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-64-what-sports-parents-are-talking-about-in-2022

We spend about one-third of our lives doing it.

This week on , we’re talking about .

It’s a HOT topic for sports parents everywhere — because we know it helps our kids’ bodies and brains recover.

But we’re always worried they’re not getting enough sleep — and we’re actually right. 🙌

In this conversation with Dr Laura Piromalli, you’ll hear whether naps are a help or hindrance, EXACTLY how much sleep an adolescent really needs, and the importance of circadian rhythm — and what this means.

John and I are often left wondering how we can better manage the sleep situation in our house. What's the situation at your place?

🎧 LISTEN NOW: https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-63-dr-laura-piromalli

(Follow us on your fave podcast app!)

Shaun Creighton is a legend of , whose late start in the sport and steady progress, ultimately proved to be a winning combination.

His coach, Pat Clohessy, instilled in Shaun that a running career isn’t measured by a single performance. He gives us a real-life example that’ll get you thinking.

Plus, Shaun recalls his favourite race EVER! And, where did Shaun and Tiffany's paths meet back in 1992?

🎧 LISTEN NOW: https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-62-shaun-creighton

Better still, follow SportsParenthood on your favourite podcast app!

When your daughter’s training clashes with a interview… you set up a makeshift studio! 🤣
John Bonasera

What's the difference between dependent and independent learners — and how does it apply to ?

Our guest this week, Dr. Sarah Dunn, Associate Professor at the Department of Kinesiology, California State University CSUSB shares with us how sport can take us to places we may never have imagined.

And, there are many pathways to make a contribution to sport, even after finishing a competitive career.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-61-sarah-dunn

NEW SEASON 2022 🙌

Welcome to another year of SportsParenthood!

So, who are we speaking with this week? You’ll hear from Erin Plummer. What an interesting story she has to tell.

Erin won her first state gold medal in at age 8. In an honest account, she explains how she ended up being what she describes as an "early burn out child".

What happened next?

Now, Erin is a sports parent to three daughters.

How does she sports parent them?

🎧 LISTEN NOW: https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-60-erin-plummer

Warringah Aquatic Swim Club

Yes, we dropped off the radar for a while. BUT, we’re back with the new season of SportsParenthood tomorrow… and there’s merch.👇 🤗

This is the FINAL episode of for 2021, in what’s been a year like no other! It’s been a roller-coaster, crazy, wild, interesting, resilience-building — and a sh .

In saying all of that, it’s been a GREAT year for SportsParenthood. We’ve published 35 and interviewed 31 guests, who’ve kindly volunteered their time and personal stories. THANK YOU. 🥰

Righto, LISTEN NOW for a bit of babble from John and I, along with the best advice from our most recent guests:

https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-59-its-a-wrap-for-2021

Is there a topic / guest you've loved most this year? 👇

NEW EPISODE | SPEED AND SPORT

Have you ever watched — and thought — that person can REALLY move? Speed is the currency of success in most sports.

Athletes who can move faster than their opponents definitely have an advantage. How can our kids get more "zippy"?

It involves something unexpected says our guest, and power , Rubin Ruzicka.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-58-rubin-ruzicka

We got goosebumps hearing our guest this week, Michael H. Scott, recalling the moment his son, Mike Scott, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 43rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft.

Sine then, Mike has played with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers. 🏀

On the show, Michael talks honestly, openly and insightfully about what it’s like being the parent of a professional who’s reached the pinnacle.

This, is a great story.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-57-michael-h-scott

NEW | TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH

This week on , you’ll meet David Shillington, a former professional rugby league front rower, who’s played 215 first grade games for the Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans, along with representing Queensland in the State of Origin and Australia.

You’ll hear David fondly recount his first experience with a , back in his early playing days, which proved to be a turning point in opening up the conversation on health which he carried throughout his playing career, and now into life after sport.

Since retiring in 2017, David has been working in the mental health space and learning what it means to be a parent.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-56-david-shillington

NEW EPISODE | WINNING AT ALL COSTS

There’s no denying there are plenty of who have ‘made it’ through having a winning at all costs approach.

In this week's episode, John and I have a thought-provoking conversation that invites you to consider what you genuinely want for your kids.

How do you feel about it?
Where do you draw the line? 👇

Plus, a little bit of raw honesty and a few tears (again!).

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-55-winning-at-all-costs

NEW | Eloise Wellings is a long-distance runner and two-time . Earlier this month, she ran the fastest debut by an Australian woman, finishing London in a time of 2.29.42.

Despite her serious ambition, Eloise tries not to take herself too seriously. This is a story of having faith, celebrating effort, taking risks, and not giving up... 🙌

🎧 LISTEN NOW, you'll love the interview:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-54-eloise-wellings

This week on , Lauren Parker, para-triathlete, joins us from the USA, where she is currently based at St George in Utah, preparing to back up her win from 2019 at the World Triathlon Para Championships in Abu Dhabi this November.

You'll hear how Lauren feels about her incredible silver-medal performance at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, in an interview where Lauren shares her story, including her life-changing accident — and how signing out of rehab one day turned out to be the best decision ever.

What's Lauren's message for sports parents?

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-53-lauren-parker

This week on , Lauren Parker, para-triathlete, joins us from the USA, where she is currently based at St George in Utah, preparing to back up her win from 2019 at the World Triathlon Para Championships in Abu Dhabi this November.

You'll hear how Lauren feels about her incredible silver-medal performance at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, in an interview where Lauren shares her story, including her life-changing accident — and how signing out of rehab one day turned out to be the best decision ever. What's Lauren's message for sports parents?

LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-53-lauren-parker

In this week's episode, our guest Martin Pickup reflects on what it’s like growing up with a parent who’s a well-known — and the lessons, inspiration and perks that shaped his childhood. His dad, Tim Pickup, led an extraordinary life.

He was a superstar of in the 1970s, when he played 11 Tests for the Kangaroos, as well as being a key player at both North Sydney and Canterbury-Bankstown, where he captained the team. Wherever Tim went, people knew who he was.

In the year 2000, Tim was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to Australian . He passed away earlier this year. You'll hear Martin's love and gratitude for his dad.

Plus, there's some cracking stories!

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-52-martin-pickup

PLANT-BASED DIETS AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE

In our first episode back, you’ll hear from dietitian and scientist, Melissa Juergens, on a topic that’s been raised in our household by our teenage daughter.

She is interested in going on a plant-based diet. It might have been raised in your household, too?

Instead of dismissing it through our personal concerns over what’s involved in making this happen — in a healthy way — we called in an expert to talk us through what it actually means.

Plus, the impact on sports , and why it’s important for sports parents to stay curious when our kids ask us about things we may not agree with, or know little about.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-51-melissa-juergens

NEW EPISODE | This week, you’ll hear PART 2 of the conversation with performance , Rob Brown.

‘Reassuring Rob’ talks about the silver linings of and kids’ sport, and teaches us how to re-frame this forced break into a more helpful narrative.

Plus, what's co-host John Bonasera been up to in Queensland?

🎧 LISTEN NOW: https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-50-rob-brown-part-2

(We're having a few issues with accessing the episodes when clicking this link on an iPhone. We're in the process of sorting it out.)

It's easy to get SportsParenthood on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you love the , can you leave a review? 🙏

NEW | The disruption of and the impact on our kids. Will the forced break have long-lasting implications?

If you’re worried about community sport being cancelled, this week's conversation is wonderfully reassuring.

You'll hear from psychologist, Rob Brown, who brings important perspective — and much-needed hope. How are your kids coping? 👇

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-49-rob-brown

(Better still, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and write us a review 🙏.)

NEW EPISODE | Why do YOUR kids play sport?

First though, we wanted to let you know we wrestled with the tech in this episode. To be honest, the result is way better than we originally expected. BUT, we haven't completely nailed it. 😭

In saying that, I ended up in a flood of tears over it, because as you know, we always try freaking hard to provide you with the best show possible every week. All we can do is learn from it.

You'll love hearing from Tim Gee, Regional Game Development Manager (Sydney Metro) at the NRL - National Rugby League on the complete revamp of the 's grassroots' programs.

Importantly, the lessons are relevant to every code, and are grounded in evidence-based research informed by kids and parents. It's super interesting to see how it's played out.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-48-tim-gee

NEW | In this episode, you’ll hear from Robyn Carrier.

Her daughter, Marina Carrier, competed in the Modern Pentathlon in , where she claimed 27th place in her Olympic debut.

Robyn speaks candidly about what it’s like being the sports parent of an at these most usual Games.

How did the Carrier family celebrate the ? Now that's an interesting story....!

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-47-robyn-carrier

Experiencing withdrawals? In this week’s episode, John and I unpack the Olympics for .

You’ll hear us discuss our highlights, from the iconic moments, hands-down stand outs to performances that flew under the radar.

Plus, the wonderful and memorable reactions from families and friends, who were unable to travel to Tokyo to show their support.

With John based in for work, and me keeping things going on the home front in , there’s a bit of raw emotion in this episode, along with a few tears and laughs.

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-46-unpacking-the-tokyo-olympics-for-sports-parents

What are your highlights from the Games?

(Photo is intended to incite a giggle — we all need one right now.)

NEW | While we celebrate the achievements of our athletes in Tokyo, and hope it sparks that little something in our kids to have big dreams...

It’s an important reminder is not only about peak performance — because the reality is, few people will ever reach that pinnacle.

Carmen Marton, triple Olympian and Australia’s first world champion, experienced the heartbreak of non-selection for this Games, despite meeting the selection criteria.

Still, she agreed to join us on the in a conversation you’ll find both interesting and confronting. She wants to shift the goal in sport, asking the question:

How can we change the focus to be on longevity in sport, for kids and families?

🎧 LISTEN NOW:
https://www.sportsparenthood.com.au/episode-45-carmen-marton