#108 - Jonathan Flynn - Rugby around the World

My guest this week is my former Esher Rugby teammate and also my former podcast guest - Geoff Griffiths.   This interview was recorded in July of 2023 and we talked about the thorny subject of players transitioning out of the game when their playing days are over. We discuss who is affected by this, what challenges they face, why some of these challenges are subtle and difficult to process, and most importantly, what players can do to prepare themselves for the toughest day of their careers.   This is an important episode, plenty to think about - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Tackling Transition - tacklingtransition.com/ Geoff on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/geoffmgriffiths/) Geoff’s Instagram (instagram.com/geoff.griffiths)   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is my former Esher S&C Coach - Simon Elkinson   This interview was recorded in July of 2023 and we talked about Elko's playing days in Ireland and the importance of a dominant and disciplined tighthead for a hooker, his troubles with injuries and how it hampered his progress in senior rugby, the role of an S&C coach at different levels of the game and how to get the best out of teams taking into account the amount of time you have with the players.   There are tons of great stories and some real value in this quality episode - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter - @OnsideRecruiter - https://twitter.com/OnsideRecruiter Simon Elkinson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonelkinson/ Esher RFC - https://www.esherrugby.com/   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options   you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is my former Old Colfeians teammate - David Sanderson   This interview was recorded in July of 2023 and we talked about the landscape of Old Boys rugby in the 1980s, tour stories from many of the famous Old Colfeians overseas adventures, the role of a good 3rd XV in a rugby club and playing with genuine legends of the game.   This is a really fun episode - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS David Sanderson on Instagram - @david_ld_sanderson - https://www.instagram.com/david_ld_sanderson/ David Sanderson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sanderson-00ba6925/ Lewisham Bank of Things - https://www.lewishamlocal.com/lewisham-bank-of-things/ Old Colfeians RFC - https://www.ocrfc.co.uk/   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options   you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is my former Esher teammate - Simon Goldsmith   This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about how he became a rugby keeno and a dedicated hooker, his pride at playing for Kent, THAT try against London Welsh, horrific injuries and an epic trip to support the Lions in New Zealand in 2017.   This is a really fun episode - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Simon Goldsmith on Instagram - @sigoldsmith - https://www.instagram.com/sigoldsmith/ Tunbridge Wells RFC - https://twrfc.com/ Westcombe Park RFC - https://www.westcombeparkrugby.co.uk/ Esher Rugby - https://www.esherrugby.com/ Kent Rugby - https://www.kent-rugby.org/ My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk/   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is three-time Nat Schools winning coach - Sam Howard.   This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked through Sam’s playing days at Blackheath, Rosslyn Park and Bedford Blues (including promotion to the Premiership!), and an absolutely gold-ridden exploration of Sam’s thoughts around coaching, how he builds his attack and a big chunk about the psychology of our sport too.   This interview has been a long time coming and it did not disappoint - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Sam Howard on Twitter - @dybrugby1 - https://twitter.com/dybrugby1 Sam Howard on Instagram - @sammyh1015 - https://www.instagram.com/sammyh1015/ SEG Coaching on Instagram - @seg_coaching - https://www.instagram.com/seg_coaching/ Sportplan - https://www.sportplan.net/ Charlton Park RFC - https://www.charltonpark.org.uk/ Blackheath RFC - https://blackheathrugby.co.uk/ Rosslyn Park RFC - https://rosslynpark.co.uk/ Bedford Blues RFC - https://bedfordrugby.co.uk/   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Head Coach of Glasgow's inclusive rugby team - The Glasgow Raptors - Mr Tim Abrams.   This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about Tim's early years in the sport and the behaviour of others that dissuaded him from playing, how he got back into rugby and his passion for coaching, the phenomenal growth of the Raptors under his guidance and the huge number of brand new adult players they are bringing into rugby via summer boot camps for complete beginners.   Tim is a tremendous human and this is one of the most important episodes in the podcast's history - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Tim Abrams on Twitter - @TimKlevmark - https://twitter.com/TimKlevmark All links for Glasgow Raptors - https://linktr.ee/GlasgowRaptors International Gay Rugby - https://igrugby.org/   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is the outgoing DoR of CS Stags - Chris Swann.   This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about how you build a squad with character, why it's important to listen to your players, the joys of being a club with limited resources and tons of fun stories from the murky world where the amateur and professional games overlap.   This episode is packed with great tactics and really took me back to my time playing at a similar level  - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Chris Swann on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-s-50137350/ Chris Swann on Instagram - @chris.swann.10 - https://www.instagram.com/chris.swann.10/ Chris' Blog post - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/diary-dor-cs-stags-chapter-chris-swann CS Stags website - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/civilservicefootballclubru/ CS Stags on Instagram - @cs_stags - https://www.instagram.com/cs_stags/   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week coaches rugby in many different environments and his name is Tom Hicks.   This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about his experience under awesome coaches at Clifton, what it means to be a pathway coach, some technical details about what makes a good player, coach development, the challenges around the environment that young players will be going into and the opportunities that are out there.   This episode is absolutely packed with great information and terrific stories - I hope you enjoy!   https://youtu.be/fNzLc-Tfgvc   LINKS Tom Hicks on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hicks-msc-792891101/ Tom Hicks on Instagram - @tomhicksadventurer - https://www.instagram.com/tomhicksadventurer/ Tom Hicks on Twitter - @tomhicksMSc - https://twitter.com/tomhicksMSc Clifton Rugby - https://www.cliftonrugby.co.uk/ Harlequins - https://www.quins.co.uk/ Ealing Trailfinders - https://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/ East Grinstead RFC - https://www.egrfc.com/ Sussex RFU - https://www.sussexrugby.co.uk/bc/ Toa 7's - https://twitter.com/Try4Matt   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Alcobendas RFC Coach - Jonathan Flynn.   This interview was recorded in May of 2023 and we talked about Jonathan's extraordinary journey through rugby in Canada, New Zealand, France, Belgium, Germany and even Luxembourg - where Jonathan played for and coached the national side. He's now in Spain and we deep dive into the rugby landscape on the continent.   This is a journey through the vagaries and pitfalls of a rugby life just outside the elite level - I hope you enjoy!   LINKS Jonathan Flynn on Twitter - @jpflynnlux - https://twitter.com/jpflynnlux Jonathan Flynn on Instagram - @jpflynnlux - https://www.instagram.com/jpflynnlux/ Jonathan Flynn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-flynn-80b11812/ Alcobendas Rugby Club - https://www.alcobendasrugby.com/ IRANZ - https://iranz.co.nz/ Metz Rugby - https://metz-rugby.fr/ Rugby Club Luxembourg - https://www.rcl.lu/home   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

On this week's show offer up a selection from the best episodes of my 'Hot Topics' YouTube series. Listen in as I speak with Matt Barton about the Super Rugby ELVs, Simon Elkinson about the Ireland team, Dickon Moon about the Papa Johns Cup, Matt Townsend about England's tactics and Phil Greenaway about AGPs.   It's a star-studded episode and I hope you enjoy!   https://youtu.be/0toxU0X5hYM   LINKS The Great Rugger Run website The Great Rugger Run on Twitter @RuggerRun The Great Rugger Run on Instagram @thegreatruggerrun The Great Rugger Run on Facebook @thegreatruggerrun   PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness!   PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.   SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.