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Who would be the parent of a young football player? Yep, fools like us. In this episode, we speak to Gordon MacLelland from Working With Parents in Sport (WWPIS). The organisation helps parents navigate an array of sports including football with some fantastic resources. CEO Gordon talks about what can be a long drive home after a match - why it matters, how it can go wrong, and what kids really need from us in those moments. We also talk about managing our own expectations as parents and creating a more supportive space for young athletes to grow, on and off the pitch.

PARENTS, SILENCE IS OK x

LINKS & INFO OF INTEREST:

Working With Parents In Sport

https://www.parentsinsport.co.uk/

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In this episode, inspired by some of the themes explored in the Netflix drama Adolescence, we’re talking about online safety for young people with expert Social Jess. It’s a complex, minefield for many parents. From cyberbullying and online predators to the pressures of social media and digital footprints. Jess breaks down how to navigate digital spaces safely and discusses how to spot red flags. Plus we explore the grim and sad subject of sextortion, which commonly affects males aged 12-17 years. Listen for practical tips for maintaining privacy, setting boundaries, and using the internet responsibly. This stuff can really save lives.

LINKS & INFO OF INTEREST:

HOW TO BLOCK WORDS (Time Code)

11:50 Instagram

12:03 Tik Tok

12:17 Snapchat

SOCIAL JESS

Social Jess on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/the_socialjess/

Social Jess website

https://socialjess.com/

Adolescence Trailer on You Tube (Available on Netflix)

https://youtu.be/Wk5OxqtpBR4?si=qYPtGYsyxCjVUGfB

The Social Dilemma Trailer on You Tube (Available on Netflix)

https://youtu.be/uaaC57tcci0?si=GyEA-rRMZVWRWyIb

WEBSITES

Internet Matters

https://www.internetmatters.org/

Childline - Report Remove

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/

Internet Watch Foundation

https://www.iwf.org.uk/

Gov.uk - Online Safety Act

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer

PICTURE BOOKS

Once Upon A Time Online

https://amzn.eu/d/395UolT

Pantosaurus and the Power of Pants: Official NSPCC Picture Book for Kids about Personal Safety, Privacy, Consent and Care (Ages 3-6)

https://amzn.eu/d/gn2JO9U

BOOKS FOR OLDER CHILDREN

The Burning

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burning-Laura-Bates/dp/1471170209

Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent & Respect

https://amzn.eu/d/5gHXQG1

MORE READS

BBC: What the Online Safety Act is - and how to keep children safe online

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68225707

The Guardian: Children as young as 11 targeted by sextortion criminals, data reveals

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/09/children-in-uk-as-young-as-11-targeted-by-sextortion-criminals-data-reveals

NSPCC: Talking to your child about online safety

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-

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Hybrid - word meaning a mixture of two or more different things. Add football and you get footie slash table tennis, volleyball, squash and more. Hybrid football might be relatively new in the UK but pro football clubs are starting to adopt it too in their training. Kick X Arena, the first of its kind in the UK, has opened in Surrey, just outside of London. Co-founder Vik Sharma talks about its many benefits for footballers.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Kick X Arena

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Music by MDGSoundStudio

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Ever wondered what it’s like being a football Academy mum? In this episode we speak to Cynthia, the mum of a Chelsea Academy scholar player. Cynthia talks in detail about the sacrifices she and the family have made plus explains a scholarship.

Music by Mdundo

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What do you do when your kid starts to show an interest in football? Where do you start? In this episode Sean Conlon, the Co-Founder of We Make Footballers (WMF) gives us his advice. WMF is one of the biggest coaching schools in the South East and it’s growing.

Sean, who is also a Chelsea Academy scout, can reel out a list of professional footballers who started out with WMF which explains why he has so much knowledge. Sean also talks about what players (and parents) who want to take their footballing journey further or professionally, can learn.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

We Make Footballers [Book a free session]
@SeanConlon1 [Sean Conlon on Instagram]
Project Footballer podcast [YouTube]
Malcom Gladwell's 10,000-Hour Rule

STAY IN TOUCH:

• Email: hello@raisingthegame.org
• Facebook @WeRaiseTheGame
• Twitter @Raise_The_Game
• Instagram @raising.the.game

MUSIC:
The Chase by Joey Hendrixx

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Ever dread the car journey home after a thrashing? Yep. You’re not the only one. In this episode Sport Performance Psychologist Emily Hill-Smith, talks us through what we can do (or say) to and from a match whether it’s a win, lose or draw.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Emily Hill-Smith [Tap In Performance]

STAY IN TOUCH:

• Email: hello@raisingthegame.org
• Facebook @WeRaiseTheGame
• Twitter @Raise_The_Game
• Instagram @raising.the.game

MUSIC:
Think Different by Scott Holmes Music

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Your child plays in a match and his or her team gets a 6-0 thrashing. In their mind, is that the worst thing that can happen? Or is it a step to learn from? In this episode Matt Shaw, Performance & Sports Psychologist from InnerDrive talks about how to turn those negative feelings of losing into positive steps for development.

LINKS OF INTEREST:
Matt Shaw [Twitter]
InnerDrive [Free Guides & Resources for players, parents & schools]

STAY IN TOUCH:

• Email: hello@raisingthegame.org
• Facebook @WeRaiseTheGame
• Twitter @Raise_The_Game
• Instagram @raising.the.game

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A great coach once said, "Think of yourself as a Ferrari! It needs the best fuel to be fast and super powerful."

Watching your kid play zapped of energy is no fun. So what can we do to help even if we’re stretched on time and money?

Katie Barney is a Performance Nutritionist working at Ipswich Town FC and Birmingham City’s Women players. She talks about energy-boosting carbs, post-match snacks and our favourite, how to make your own Lucozade-type drink.

LINKS OF INTEREST:
Katie Barney
Flapjack Recipe [BBC Good Food]
Energy "Oat" Balls recipe [BBC]
No-Bake Energy Bites [Gimme Some Oven]

STAY IN TOUCH:

• Email: hello@raisingthegame.org
• Facebook @WeRaiseTheGame
• Twitter @Raise_The_Game
• Instagram @raising.the.game

Subscribe, follow us or email hello@raisingthegame.org with all your tips and questions.