Science for Sport Podcast

289: What Sport Teaches Us About Leadership, Culture & the Human Mind

October 13th, 2025  |  29 mins 23 secs

accountability, athlete transition, athlete wellbeing, brisbane broncos, career transition, catalan dragons, courage, david mead, elite performance, leadership, life after sport, mental health in sport, nrl, performance coaching, professional sport, resilience, respect, rugby league, sports psychology, sports science, team culture

ChatGPT said:

Former NRL and Super League star David Mead joins host Richard Graves to share his journey from elite sport to business, exploring how athletes can successfully navigate life after competition. He reveals how the principles of courage, respect, and accountability learned on the field can drive leadership and performance beyond sport.

279: Culture, Consistency, and Coaching Success in Elite Sport with Steve McNamara

August 4th, 2025  |  35 mins 27 secs

athlete development, catalans dragons, coaching, coaching philosophy, elite sport, england rugby league, high performance, performance sport, player development, rugby league, rugby podcast, sports coaching, sports leadership, steve mcnamara, team culture

In this episode, Richard Graves speaks with legendary Rugby League coach Steve McNamara about his 36-year journey through the sport, from playing in Hull to coaching England and Catalans Dragons. Steve shares powerful lessons on leadership, culture, and the evolution of the modern game.

271: Strength First: Why It Underpins Everything

June 9th, 2025  |  28 mins 21 secs

athletic development, coaching, elite sport, gps data, high performance, injury prevention, performance coaching, periodisation, physical preparation, player monitoring, player wellbeing, power training, preseason planning, return to play, robustness, rugby league, rugby performance, rugby union, sports science, strength and conditioning

Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, shares insights from coaching across both rugby union and league. From building strength and robustness to managing return-to-play and player wellbeing, this episode dives deep into the science behind elite performance.

268: From Wembley to Wake-Up Calls: Stevie Ward on Concussion, Courage & Life Beyond the Game

May 19th, 2025  |  45 mins 30 secs

athlete mental health, athlete transition, athlete wellbeing, concussion in sport, elite performance, emotional intelligence, fear in sport, grand final rugby, high performance mindset, leadership in sport, leeds rhinos, psychological safety, rugby concussion, rugby league, rugby retirement, sport and identity, sport injury recovery, sports psychology, sports science, stevie ward

In this episode, former Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward shares the highs and lows of his rugby career, from debuting at 18 to retiring at 27 due to concussion. He opens up about fear, injury, identity, and how emotional intelligence and psychological safety are critical in elite sport.

263: Secrets of Success: What Makes Teams Thrive?

April 14th, 2025  |  28 mins 39 secs

athlete development, coaching leadership, coaching strategies, diversity in sports, overcoming adversity, performance consultant, podcast episode, rugby league, rugby union, science for sport, sports performance, sports science, sports training, strength and conditioning, team dynamics, technology in sports

In this episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves speaks with performance consultant Tom Clough, who shares his insights on sports performance, leadership, and the importance of connection within teams. Join them as they explore Tom's journey in strength and conditioning, the role of diversity in sports, and how technology can enhance athletic development.

243: Beyond the Game: Rugby League Stars on Sacrifice, Resilience, and Reinvention

November 25th, 2024  |  28 mins 47 secs

athlete longevity, ben jones-bishop, fitness and recovery, head injuries in sport, hull fc, leeds rhinos, player welfare, rugby coaching, rugby evolution, rugby league, rugby league world cup, s&c, scott taylor, sport, sport science

Rugby League legends Scott Taylor and Ben Jones-Bishop share the highs, lows, and untold truths of their incredible careers. From Grand Final triumphs to the challenges of staying at the top, they dive into the evolution of the game, player welfare, and life beyond the pitch. A must-listen for fans of the sport!

140: High-Performance Secrets At The Rugby League World Cup

December 5th, 2022  |  22 mins 36 secs

gps, muscle, performance, rugby, rugby league, rugby world cup, running, speed, strength, training, world cup

Come with us as we delve into the mysterious and exciting world of sports science…

This entertaining podcast explores:

• The science behind the world’s best athletes.
• Current issues and events in the world of sport.
• How to master the art and science of coaching.

Every Monday, Matt Solomon chats with various experts to uncover the science and secrets behind what makes the best athletes in the world so damn good at what they do. They’ll also dive into global issues and events effecting the world of sport, such as COVID-19 and gene doping.

Though anyone is welcome to join us on this journey, this podcast is primarily for:

• S&C coaches/sports scientists
• Physiotherapists
• Nutritionists/Dieticians
• Physical education teachers
• Sports enthusiasts
• Knowledge-seeking athletes

If you’re any of the above, we challenge you to listen to an episode and not fall in love with this laugh-out-loud, brain-swelling podcast.

138: The Past, Present And Future Of High Performance In Rugby

November 21st, 2022  |  28 mins 3 secs

aerobic, conditioning, endurance, gps, mouthguards, power, rugby, rugby league, rugby union, strength, tech, technology

Come with us as we delve into the mysterious and exciting world of sports science…

This entertaining podcast explores:

• The science behind the world’s best athletes.
• Current issues and events in the world of sport.
• How to master the art and science of coaching.

Every Monday, Matt Solomon chats with various experts to uncover the science and secrets behind what makes the best athletes in the world so damn good at what they do. They’ll also dive into global issues and events effecting the world of sport, such as COVID-19 and gene doping.

Though anyone is welcome to join us on this journey, this podcast is primarily for:

• S&C coaches/sports scientists
• Physiotherapists
• Nutritionists/Dieticians
• Physical education teachers
• Sports enthusiasts
• Knowledge-seeking athletes

If you’re any of the above, we challenge you to listen to an episode and not fall in love with this laugh-out-loud, brain-swelling podcast.