Hosts: Ben Russell, Kirk Bowyer

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport, hosts Ben Russell and Kirk Bowyer dive deep into one of the most debated topics in youth athletics: early specialization. Drawing from personal stories, research, and coaching experience, they explore why encouraging kids to try multiple sports may be the key to long-term athletic success—and enjoyment.

Ben and Kirk unpack the myths around the 10,000 hour rule, the hidden downsides of single-sport focus at a young age, and the powerful role parents play in shaping their child’s sporting journey. They also highlight how many top athletes actually benefited from broad, multi-sport backgrounds before finding their niche.

This conversation is a must-listen for any parent wondering how to best support their child’s development—not just as an athlete, but as a confident, well-rounded mover.

Key Takeaways:

• Early specialization can hinder rather than help athletic growth
• Multi-sport exposure builds better movement skills and coordination
• Parents have a huge influence—intentionally or not
• The 10,000 hour rule is often misapplied in youth sport
• Many elite athletes started with a wide range of sports
• Diverse experiences lead to more enjoyment and less burnout
• Athletic foundations like running and jumping benefit all sports
• Balancing structure with exploration helps kids thrive
• Trying new sports keeps development fun and motivating
• Parents should encourage play, variety, and long-term love of movement
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Mini Athletics: Learn more about our programs and how we’re helping kids develop sports skills in a fun, supportive environment at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Stay connected for more tips, inspiration, and episodes on Instagram and Facebook @thegreatatsportpodcast

Leave Us a Review: Enjoyed the episode? Drop us a quick review—it helps more people discover the podcast and supports our mission to keep youth sports fun and meaningful.

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts: Ben Russell, Kirk Bowyer, Nathan Tyson

Guest:Coach Kevin, Founder of Athletic Development Games

Episode Summary:

In this energizing episode of So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport, hosts Ben Russell, Kirk Bowyer, and Nathan Tyson are joined by Coach Kevin from Athletic Development Games—a passionate youth coach and the mind behind the PlayBoost initiative. Together, they explore how play, joy, and creativity are essential ingredients in developing physically literate and confident young athletes.

Kevin shares his journey into youth coaching, the inspiration behind ADG, and how his approach focuses on fun, freedom, and foundational skills over early specialization. The conversation delves into the power of imaginative play, how parents can foster athletic development at home, and why serious training too early can actually hold kids back.

They also explore the growing community around these ideas, the role social media plays in spreading positive messages, and how playful parenting can create stronger bonds and better athletes.

Key Takeaways:

• Joy is the foundation of successful youth sports experiences
• Engagement, competence, and confidence drive athletic development
• The ADG method promotes play, creativity, and lifelong movement skills
• Imaginative play supports physical literacy and independence
• Early specialization can limit development—variety is key
• Parents play a crucial role in playful, supportive environments
• Social media can amplify positive change in youth sports
• Games that involve both parents and kids build connection and fun
• Kevin’s journey shows the impact of passion and play in coaching
• Athletic Development Games began as an Instagram account—and sparked a movement

Mini Athletics: Learn more about our programs and how we’re helping kids develop sports skills in a fun, supportive environment at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Stay connected for more tips, inspiration, and episodes on Instagram and Facebook @thegreatatsportpodcast

Leave Us a Review: Enjoyed the episode? Drop us a quick review—it helps more people discover the podcast and supports our mission to keep youth sports fun and meaningful.

Don’t forget to hit subscribe!

Thanks for joining us on So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport—where the journey to greatness starts with play.

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this thought-provoking episode of So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport, hosts Ben Russell, Kirk Bowyer, and Nathan Tyson are joined by Natalie Weir, a leading expert in physical literacy and movement education. Together, they dive deep into what physical literacy really means, why it’s crucial for child development, and how it can be meaningfully integrated into sport and education.

Natalie helps unpack the four key domains of physical literacy, emphasizing that it’s not just about physical skills—but also about building confidence, motivation, and understanding in movement. The conversation touches on the importance of enjoyable and creative experiences in sport, how to strike the right balance between structured and unstructured play, and why a little chaos might be just what kids need to fall in love with being active.

The group also explores common barriers to physical literacy—like increased screen time and rigid systems in early education—and how parents and educators can foster environments that encourage freedom, exploration, and movement.

• A clear breakdown of the four domains of physical literacy
• Why movement is more than just physical skill—it’s confidence, creativity, and motivation
• The benefits of blending structure with freedom and chaos in play
• The role parents play in supporting physical literacy at home
• How to overcome screen-time challenges and create a movement-friendly environment
• Why language and messaging matter when encouraging kids to move

Mini Athletics: Learn more about our programs and how we’re helping kids develop sports skills in a fun, supportive environment at www.miniathletics.com

Follow Us: Stay connected for all the latest updates, tips, and motivational content on our Instagram and Facebook @thegreatatsportpodcast.

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform—it helps others find the show and ensures we keep delivering top-notch content.

Don’t forget to hit subscribe! Your feedback keeps us motivated and helps us shape future episodes.

Thanks for tuning in to So You Want Your Kids to Be Great at Sport... where your child’s sporting journey begins!

🎧 Produced and Edited by Rob Sillito

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.