In this candid and inspiring interview, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Will Bayley – the world’s number 1 ranked Paralympic table tennis player 🏓✨

From being awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours to winning 7 Paralympic medals, Will shares stories that go far beyond the sporting arena. He opens up about his childhood, including how he became an Arsenal fan ❤️⚽ the real difference between ping pong and table tennis, and how sport became his outlet while growing up with a disability.

Will talks honestly about his early struggles, including being diagnosed with blood cancer at just 7 years old, undergoing multiple operations, and navigating school life while dealing with daily challenges. Through it all, his mum was his rock 💪 instilling in him a winning mindset and a relentless drive to succeed.

We follow his journey into table tennis – from his first serious training trip to Beijing, to reaching the Paralympic final in London 2012 in front of a roaring home crowd. He also shares what it was like competing in Rio, how passionate he gets with umpires (maybe a little too passionate), and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Off the table, Will reflects on collecting his MBE and the cheeky antics of his brother at the Palace, meeting Prince William, and how surreal it all felt.

We also get a glimpse into his time on Strictly Come Dancing – only bowing out due to a leg injury, his unexpected love for dancing (despite the two left feet), and how past experiences have always driven him to push boundaries.

Today, Will is based in Brighton, coaching the next generation of table tennis talent, passing on the wisdom, energy, and fighting spirit that have defined his career.

This is a powerful story of resilience, mindset, family, sport, and never giving up – no matter what life throws at you 💯🔥

🌐 https://en.butterfly.tt/ - Will's table tennis shop

Check out our collection of Sports Podcast here: www.daviessports.co.uk/sports-podcast

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In this week's episode, we sit down with Gregg Cropper, better known as Mr Touch Rugby, to explore one of the fastest growing sports in the UK—touch rugby 🏉🔥

Gregg shares his journey over the last decade, from discovering the UK touch rugby scene to founding his own club and representing England 🇬🇧 at the highest level. We talk about where his passion comes from, what makes touch rugby so appealing, and how it offers something for everyone - from tactical gameplay to physical and mental health benefits 💪

Gregg breaks down how trials for the national team come about, what it’s like to play on the international stage 🌍, and what it means to be part of England’s touch rugby setup. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at running his club in Manchester, his coaching work, and how his events company, On The 7 Events (www.onthesevenevents.com/

), is helping grow the sport through exciting, inclusive competitions 🎯🏟️

We also chat about:

Pitch sizes & team formats 📏

Men’s, women’s, and mixed games 👥

Rules of touch rugby vs. traditional rugby ⚖️

Tactical play & positioning 🎯

The sport’s global growth and future 🚀

Gregg reflects on his own sporting roots, the teachers who made an impact, and how school sports shaped his path. He talks about the challenges and rewards of building community-led events and bringing people together through sport 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

If you’re into sport, coaching, or just curious about the rise of touch rugby, this one’s for you!

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🏐 Alice Harvey: From Netball Dreams to International Success 🌟

In this week’s exclusive interview, we sit down with Alice Harvey, the 6'3" defensive powerhouse for Loughborough Lightning and a rising star in international netball. Since joining Lightning, Alice has played a key role in their historic first Netball Super League title, securing two championships in the last three seasons and a runners-up finish.

As a goalkeeper and goal defence, her height and defensive skills make her a dominant force on the court. With 9 caps for England, Alice shares insights into her journey from school sports to the international stage and her ambitions for more Roses appearances. She also opens up about her early experiences in judo and swimming, before netball became her passion.

💬 In this video, Alice discusses:

✅ Growing up tall and finding confidence through netball

✅ Life at Loughborough Lightning and the team's close-knit "family" culture

✅ The importance of fans and outreach programs in Loughborough

✅ The evolution of the Super League and the exciting new era for netball in the UK

✅ Playing on the international stage and learning from her idols

✅ Her dream of netball making it to the Olympics

✅ Balancing a netball career with real-life experiences - including an early job stint at McDonald's

✅ Her passion for growing the sport, and how the men’s game can help

As a proud Shoshin ambassador

🌐 www.shoshin-sports.com

🏐 www.lboro.ac.uk/lightning/netball

Alice is committed to making netball more accessible to all. She also shares advice for aspiring players, proving that with dedication, confidence, and the right mindset, anyone can achieve their sporting dreams.

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