I Wanted My Son to Love Sport — But It Became Pressure to Find His Passion.
In an evening where my son was sharing a bunch of things he’d been going through, he revealed something that really caught my attention: he’s worried that…
Taking down the trampoline walls
I recently took down the walls on our family trampoline. Its used to look like this, nice and safe… We had the whole setup: walls, padding, roof…
Sailing clubs, like all sports, are dealing with decreasing participation. Tips and lessons that all sports and clubs can learn from and use.
In Dec 2024 Australian Sailing released its annual Clubs Survey, which had an impressive 42%of clubs respond. Here is the link to the full article but read…
Why Intrinsic Motivation Matters for Player Retention in Sport
Understanding the difference between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation is crucial in comprehending human behaviour, particularly when it comes to motivation to play sport. Both types of…
What is the Purpose of your club?
Do you know? Would other members share the same understanding of your club’s purpose? Has your club taken the time to define its purpose—perhaps through a mission…
Dragons and Developing a Growth Mindset
I love the show Bluey. If you’re not familiar, it’s an Australian kids’ show about a family of blue heeler dogs. Each 7-minute episode is a joy…
Takeaways from the Aspen Institute’s State of Play report 2024 and how you can use these insights to improve your club or sport.
The annual State of Play report is one that I look forward to reading each year. It is a comprehensive look at sport participation trends in America.…
Introducing “For the Love of Sport”: A Revolutionary Guide to Cultivating Lifelong Engagement in Community Sports
Joshua Chant, a seasoned professional in the community sport industry, is proud to announce the release of their groundbreaking new book, *For the Love of Sport*. This…
Creating Psychological Safety in Sports Clubs: A Foundation for Lifelong Love of Sport
Recently, I tuned into an enlightening episode of ABC’s “The Conversation Hour,” which aired on March 22, 2024. The discussion centred around the vital topic of inclusion…
Fostering a Lifelong Love of Sport: Emphasising Personal Development Over Winning
As a thought leader and author engaged in youth sports, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful a well-crafted sports environment can be for children. Recently, I tuned into…
The Story of Ellen Van Neerven.
Ellen Van Neerven’s book “Personal Score” offers a poignant example of how sport can be a powerful vehicle for self-expression and belonging. Ellen recounts their journey through…
Fostering a Lifelong Love for Sport: The Power of Inclusive Language and Belonging in Youth Coaching.
A few weeks ago, I found myself on the sidelines of an under-10 rugby training session, watching my son and his teammates run through drills. The team,…
Cultivating a Lifelong Love for Sport: The Role of Rewards and Motivation in Youth Sports
As a thought leader and author focused on youth sports, I have observed a variety of approaches to coaching and motivating young athletes. One of the most…
What’s love got to do, got to do, go to do with it?
When Tina Turner sang, “What’s love got to do with it?” she likely wasn’t thinking about youth sports. Yet, this question is central to a critical issue…
New Research Highlights Shifts in Australian Sporting Habits and Motivations
In the dynamic world of sports, understanding what fuels individuals to lace up their sneakers, grab their gear, and step onto the field or court is more…
What unfairness we are prepared to accept in sport?
Sport is an inherently unfair activity. It is especially unfair at the elite level. Whether it is socioeconomic unfairness, or genetic, or circumstantial there are…
Why the ‘Tillies winning 10-0 wasn’t good for women’s sport.
The Matilda’s are through to the 2024 Olympics! What an exciting year or two it has been for the team and their place in the Australian sporting…
Modified sports: the answer to accessibility and continued retention.
Modified sports is the modification of sports away from their traditional adult format into a format that allows different population segments to participate. Most sport formats that…
Why I now coach for free.
Recently I had the pleasure of coaching a good friend of mine at an international sailing event as he progressed towards qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Waaaay…
The purpose of sport.
Winning! Winning at all costs! Defeating your opponents! Never giving up and destroying anyone who dares to step onto the field against you… Well, it is definitely…
Intrinsic Motivation in Sports: Unleashing the Power Within
When it comes to excelling in sports, intrinsic motivation plays a crucial role in driving athletes towards success. Unlike external factors such as rewards or recognition, intrinsic…
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Lifelong Sport 