S1 Ep9: Episode 9

Thank you for listening to this series, we hope you've enjoyed the guests so far, and thank you for your support!In today's final episode, we're joined by Gabriel Bussinger, Technical Coordinator and Director of Football at Vasco da Gama. With more than 20 years of experience in coaching and youth development, Gabriel has worked across some of Brazil’s biggest clubs, from Santos to Avaí, before taking on his current role in Rio. In this conversation, he shares his vision for shaping football environments that nurture both players and coaches. We talk about what it takes to build a strong culture, why development goes beyond the pitch, and how creating the right structures can unlock potential at every level of the game.

We’re back with Dan Micciche for part two of our conversation! In Series 1, Dan began to share his journey through coaching England U16s and shaping young talent at academy level. This time, we go even deeper into his coaching philosophy — exploring the principles that still guide his work today, what makes an effective learning environment and why it's not always about winning or losing but what's learned along the way. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Scott and Paul from Skillwise Sports, a coaching company that’s been rooted in Wigan since 2002. What started with football skills has grown into a community-based approach that’s all about how children learn, build confidence, and fall in love with the game. From multi-sport holiday camps to helping players progress into academies, Skillwise have built their reputation on creating fun, inclusive environments for kids of all ages. We talk about their journey, the lessons they’ve learned from two decades in grassroots football, and why joy and inclusivity should always come first in coaching.

This week we welcome Joe Harvey, Head of Pre-Academy Recruitment at Norwich City. Joe is a strong advocate for a child-first approach, making sure that enjoyment, wellbeing, and development come before results. In our conversation, he talks about what good recruitment looks like in the academy system, why creating the right environment matters so much, and how to keep the joy of football alive for children stepping into those first stages of the pathway. It’s a reminder that when we put the child before the player, everything else follows! 

Futsal fans, this one's for you! In this episode, we shine a light on Mary Pacitti, founder and Head Coach of Chiltern Futsal FC. Mary’s journey is one of passion, dedication, and community impact — showing how you can truly shape the future of the game. Mary's love for futsal combined with the aim to create equal chances for women and girls to play & lead sport makes this a brilliant listen.We discuss the challenges grassroots coaches face, the joy of seeing young players thrive, and the difference that committed people can make when they put children first.

This week we’re joined by Dr. Diogo Coutinho, Assistant Professor at the University of Maia Portugal and UEFA A licensed coach, known for his groundbreaking work in coaching science and small-sided games. Diogo bridges the gap between research and practice, helping coaches design environments that challenge and inspire players. In our conversation, he reflects on the importance of growth and self-improvement: “What we should try to do is be the best version of ourselves, improving every single day. If coaches help define goals for us in every session, every player has the chance to be their best self.”Together, we explore how this philosophy can transform the way coaches think about learning and development. 

In this episode of Kicking It Off, we sit down with the amazing Gemma Grainger, head coach of the Norway Women’s National team! With over two decades of experience — from leading England youth sides, to guiding Wales on the international stage, to preparing Norway for Euro 2025 — Gemma brings a unique perspective on coaching at the highest level. She reminds us that success isn’t just about tactics or results, but about people. Listen as we dive into her approach to leadership, culture, and building teams that can truly thrive and what is really takes to create a winning environment. 

We're back! We're delighted to bring you series 2 of Kicking It Off with another brilliant line-up of guests for you to enjoy. To kick off the series we've got a fantastic conversation with Jamie Williams, Pre-Academy Lead Coach at Newcastle United. Jamie has spent over 15 years working in youth coaching and coach development, including time as an FA Coach Developer. Jamie has a wealth of insight into how young players learn and thrive. In this episode, he shares his belief that resilience starts with relationships — trust, unconditional support, and an environment where children feel safe to take on challenges. As Jamie puts it: “The best surfers run towards the biggest waves, and what we want is for our players to run towards the biggest challenges.” We explore how this mindset shapes his work, and how coaches can create environments where kids embrace difficulty and grow through it. 

Join Pete, Lauren and studio dog Dora in the final episode of the series as they discuss everything you need to consider when developing your own coaching programme. Thank you to everyone who has listened to and supported Kicking It Off. Thanks again to our sponsors:BazookaGoal: https://bazookagoal.com/AirPitch: https://airpitchfootball.com/3v3UK: https://3v3europe.com/uk 

This penultimate episode of Kicking It Off is so jam packed with top tips and advice that we've made it a two-parter! Join us in the first half of this episode as we take you through the key things to remember when developing your very own coaching programme. Thanks again to our sponsors:BazookaGoal: https://bazookagoal.com/AirPitch: https://airpitchfootball.com/3v3UK: https://3v3europe.com/uk