Women’s Football Hub

For many families, an academy place can feel like the first step towards a professional football career. But what is the reality behind the dream? In this episode, Carolyn Kent speaks with researcher and academy specialist Dr Chris Platts about the modern academy system and the challenges faced by young players and their families. Drawing on more than 15 years of research into football career pathways, Dr Platts explains why parents must understand the academy system as both a development environment and a business. The conversation explores player wellbeing, parental expectations, developmental challenges, contract realities, loans, career transitions, and why developing the person is just as important as developing the player. This thought-provoking discussion offers practical advice for parents, coaches and young footballers navigating one of the most competitive environments in sport. Key topics: Academy football myths and realities Supporting young players through pressure and uncertainty Balancing football development with personal growth Professional contracts and career progression Why loans can be crucial for player development Building resilience, confidence and life skills The future of academy football Connect with Dr Chris Platts at: www.chrisplatts.co.uk #AcademyFootball #YouthFootball #FootballDevelopment #FootballParents #SportsParenting #PlayerPathways #FootballPodcast #WomensFootballHub #TalentDevelopment #FootballResearch  

How do we stop talented girls dropping out, breaking down, or burning out? In this episode of Women's Football Hub, Carolyn Kent sits down with internationally recognised coach, consultant, author and sports scientist Dr Paul Gamble to discuss one of the most significant challenges facing girls' sport. Together they explore why participation rates decline sharply during adolescence, how puberty changes the sporting experience for girls, and what schools, coaches and parents can do to better support long-term athletic development. Dr Gamble explains why early exposure to a variety of sports matters, challenges common misconceptions about strength training for young female athletes, and discusses the growing concerns around early specialisation, burnout, and the professionalisation of youth sport. The conversation also examines the realities of sports parenting, including post-match conversations, parent-coach relationships, academy pathways, and the importance of putting the child's experience at the centre of every decision. Key themes include: • Girls' participation and dropout in sport • Puberty, performance and confidence • Strength training for young female athletes • Injury prevention and athletic development • Multi-sport participation versus early specialisation • Burnout and overtraining in youth sport • Sports parenting and coach relationships • Academy pathways and talent development • Keeping girls active for life An episode for parents, coaches, teachers, and practitioners working to create better sporting experiences for girls and young women. #WomensFootball #GirlsSport #SportsParenting #FemaleAthlete #FootballCoaching #YouthDevelopment #WomenInSport #SportsScience #GirlsFootball #PlayerDevelopment  

Wearable technology is now a normal part of modern sport, but how is it affecting female athletes? In this episode, Carolyn Kent is joined by Dr Paul Bowell from Swinburne University of Technology to explore the growing use of GPS trackers, heart rate monitors, wellness questionnaires, sleep tracking tools, and menstrual cycle apps in women's sport. Drawing on his research with female athletes, Dr Bowell discusses how wearable technology can improve performance, support injury rehabilitation, and provide athletes with valuable insights into their bodies. At the same time, he highlights important concerns around surveillance, data ownership, athlete wellbeing, privacy, and the risk of placing too much trust in metrics while ignoring the wider context of an athlete's life. The conversation also examines how under-resourced women's sport can create unique challenges around technology, athlete education, and data interpretation. This is a discussion for coaches, practitioners, researchers, players, and anyone interested in the future of women's sport. #WomensFootball #FemaleAthletes #SportsScience #SportsTechnology #AthleteData #PerformanceAnalysis #WomenInSport #FootballPodcast #WearableTechnology #SportsResearch  

In this episode, Carolyn Kent is joined by Maria Omma, an experienced strength and conditioning coach, to explore the shift from long-term athletic development to long-term activity development. They discuss how traditional performance-focused models often overlook the realities of human development and why a more flexible, individualised approach is needed. The conversation highlights the importance of enjoyment, play, and creativity in keeping people engaged in movement throughout life. Key topics include the five phases of activity development, supporting women returning to football, physical literacy, and practical ways to build strength and resilience without access to facilities. This episode is relevant for coaches, practitioners, and anyone interested in increasing participation and improving long-term engagement in sport. #WomensFootball #LongTermActivityDevelopment #Coaching #PhysicalLiteracy #WomenInSport #Participation #StrengthAndConditioning #SportDevelopment #ActiveLifestyle #Football  

In this episode, Carolyn Kent speaks with Dr Sinead Dufour about pregnancy and return to play in elite sport, with a focus on new research from the FIFA Female Health Project. Together, they explore how practitioners can move away from overly cautious, time-based restrictions and instead use evidence-informed decision aids to support athletes through pregnancy and postpartum. The discussion highlights the importance of individualised care, multidisciplinary support, and maintaining athlete wellbeing throughout the perinatal period. Key topics include risk management, training modifications, mental health, pelvic health, nutrition, the concept of the fourth trimester, and stepwise return-to-play frameworks after childbirth. This episode provides practical insights for those working with female athletes and offers a clear pathway for supporting players during one of the most complex stages of their careers. #WomensFootball #FemaleHealth #SportsMedicine #ReturnToPlay #PerinatalAthletes #FIFAResearch #AthleteCare #WomenInSport #PerformanceHealth  

Disordered eating is more common in women’s football than many people realise, yet it is frequently misunderstood, normalised or missed entirely. In this episode, Carolyn Kent is joined by Dr Carly Perry to explore the complex relationship between food, performance and mental health in the women’s game. They unpack the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders, highlighting why this distinction is crucial for appropriate support and intervention. The conversation dives into the cultural and environmental factors that increase vulnerability, including injury, performance pressure, body composition monitoring and the growing influence of social media. Dr Perry shares insights from her research with professional players, revealing how behaviours such as restrictive eating, food control and obsessive tracking can become embedded in football environments. The discussion also explores how short-term performance improvements can reinforce unhealthy patterns, before longer-term physical and psychological consequences emerge. Importantly, this episode offers practical reflections for coaches, support staff and teammates on how to recognise early signs and create safer, more supportive environments. A must-listen for anyone involved in women’s football or athlete wellbeing. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. #WomensFootball #DisorderedEating #SportsPsychology #FemaleAthletes #AthleteWellbeing #FootballCulture #MentalHealthInSport #Coaching #Performance  

In this episode of Women’s Football Hub, Carolyn Kent sits down with Dr. Anne Leung to discuss sex differences in outcomes following ACL reconstruction, and what they mean for athletes and clinicians working in women’s sport. Dr. Leung shares insights from her PhD research on quadriceps neuromuscular performance, highlighting key areas where female athletes tend to face greater challenges during and after rehabilitation. From persistent strength deficits and lower return-to-sport rates to psychological readiness and long-term physical activity levels, this episode provides a comprehensive look at what the evidence currently tells us — and where gaps still remain. The conversation also tackles common misconceptions, including the role of hormonal cycles in training, and explores how rehabilitation environments, training history, and potential bias may influence recovery outcomes. Key themes include: Sex differences in strength, function, and return to sport The importance of quadriceps strength in successful recovery Psychological factors including fear, confidence, and readiness Late-stage rehab challenges and long-term health implications The need for individualised but informed rehabilitation approaches This episode is essential for practitioners, athletes, and anyone interested in improving outcomes in women’s sport rehabilitation. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. #ACLReconstruction #WomensSport #SportsRehab #FemaleAthletes #Physiotherapy #SportsMedicine #InjuryRecovery  

  In this episode of the Women's Football Hub psychology series, host Dr Ian Cookson welcomes Dr Adrienn Szabadics, Chartered Sport Psychologist and researcher in team resilience. Dr Szabadics shares insights from her research on resilience within elite women’s football environments. They discuss: • Why team resilience is a psychosocial process, not just a collection of resilient individuals • Organisational and on‑pitch stressors unique to women’s football • Emotional contagion how panic or confidence spreads through a squad • The importance of intentional team identity and high‑quality relationships • The role of shared leadership (motivational, tactical, social, and external leaders) • How coaches can actively prepare teams for adversity, setbacks, and pressure moments • Why resilience must be continuously developed not assumed This episode will benefit coaches, parents, practitioners, and players wanting a deeper understanding of how teams navigate pressure and maintain cohesion in challenging environments. Hashtags #womensfootball #teamresilience #sportpsychology #footballresearch #eliteperformance #leadershipinsport #playerdevelopment #emotionalcontagion #womeninsport #WomensFootballHub  

In this episode of the Women’s Football Hub podcast, host Carolyn Kent welcomes Carol Bates, founder of Old Girls Play Too and Crawley Old Girls (COGS). Carol has become one of the leading voices championing recreational football for women aged 40+, 50+, 60+ and beyond. Carol shares her journey from growing up in a generation where girls weren’t allowed to play football, to becoming a key figure helping thousands of women discover the joy of the sport later in life. Together, Carolyn and Carol explore: How recreational football improves confidence, connection and mental wellbeing The role of football in supporting women through peri‑menopause and menopause Why older women are still underrepresented in team sports Bone density, fitness, strength and the surprising long‑term health benefits How Old Girls Play Too is inspiring a national movement Real-life transformation stories from women of all ages and abilities How to get started even if you’ve never kicked a ball before If you’re curious about playing football later in life, supporting older athletes, or understanding the importance of inclusive sporting spaces, this episode offers practical insight and heartfelt encouragement. Connect with Carol: Instagram: @oldgirlsplaytoo | @crawleyoldgirls LinkedIn: Carol Bates #WomensFootball #RecreationalSport #OlderWomenInSport #FootballCommunity #OldGirlsPlayToo #COGS #Women40Plus #ActiveAging #WomenInFootball  

In this powerful episode, host Carolyn Kent speaks with attorney Steven DeBonis of Cordisco & Saile about the growing legal landscape surrounding traumatic brain injury (TBI) in football. With rulings such as the UK’s Gordon McQueen inquest and decades of concussion litigation in the United States, the conversation around brain injury in sport has never been more urgent. Steven breaks down the intersection between law and medicine explaining how TBIs are defined, how causation is established, why cumulative impacts matter, and what governing bodies and youth organisations need to understand about duty of care. They also explore informed consent, legal precedents, and what the next 10 years might look like as research and litigation continue to evolve. Whether you're a player, coach, administrator, medical professional, or simply a fan who cares about the future of the sport, this episode offers an essential and accessible deep dive into one of football’s most pressing issues. Hashtags: #SportsLaw #BrainInjury #Football #SoccerSafety #ConcussionPrevention #AthleteProtection #WomensFootballHub