#180 - Richard French - I didn’t realise how much I needed to be with a group of like-minded people

My guest this week is my former Bhubesi Pride teammate - Richard French. We talked about: Coaching rugby to kids in Africa Playing rugby in the British Army Experiences of the Army/Navy game Various roles within the British Army, including anti-poaching roles in Africa Finding Ultra marathons and how they are incredible for physical and mental health This is a truly inspirational episode - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Ultra 4 Charity - https://ultra4charity.com/ For Rangers - https://www.forrangers.com/ Save The Rhino - https://www.savetherhino.org/ Bhubesi Pride - https://bpfafrica.org/ GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

I’ve known Sammy for many years and we’ve been opponents and team-mates. We have some common interests, two of which are stats and sports. This was exemplified when Sammy thrust the book ‘Moneyball’ by Michael Lewis into my hand one day and said: “read this, you’ll love it.” 24hrs later, I’d read that and I’d loved it! This interview was recorded in August of 2019 and we talked about scrummaging, playing against your mates and post-rugby career pastimes. It was a delight to catch up with Sammy and I really hope you enjoy our chat. LINKS Sammy can be contacted on Twitter @sam_boulton Moneyball by Michael Lewis GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

Ben is the Director of Rugby at Ealing Trailfinders and has been involved with the club since their days in London Div 2. He was fly-half and Head Coach during the 2012-13 season when I played my single season for the club. This interview was recorded August of 2000 and 19 at the always improving home of Ealing Trailfinders - Vallis Way. We covered some fascinating topics: The changes Ben has witnessed whilst climbing the leagues, thoughts on the new law trials and providing a fabulous environment for young players to improve and also get an education in their Academy. GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

Ben is the Director of Rugby at Ealing Trailfinders and has been involved with the club since their days in London Div 2. He was fly-half and Head Coach during the 2012-13 season when I played my single season for the club. This interview was recorded August of 2000 and 19 at the always improving home of Ealing Trailfinders - Vallis Way. We covered some fascinating topics: The changes Ben has witnessed whilst climbing the leagues, thoughts on the new law trials and providing a fabulous environment for young players to improve and also get an education in their Academy. GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

Geezer and I have crossed paths in rugby circles in almost every capacity as players, coaches, on the same team and on opposite sides. Now I have been retired for some time, it is with great clarity that I can say that Mike is the best coach I ever had - a superb mixture of incredibly detailed technical appreciation, motivational skills and the ability to create a culture that bred excellence are just some of the reasons why I rate him so highly. This interview was recorded in August of 2019 and we had an in-depth chat about the achievements and challenges for USA rugby - both the 7’s and the 15-a-side version of the game. We got into coaching philosophies and Mike shared some genuine coaching knowledge-bombs. If you are a young or new coach then there is some seriously good advice in this episode for you. And lastly, we talked about Mike’s amateur club - Bromley RFC where three generations of the family Friday are still involved. LINKS Mike can be contacted on Instagram @mikefriday09, on Twitter @mikefriday09 or LinkedIn - Mike Friday. GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

Rugby isn’t black and white - Conor Mullin - #179 My guest this week is Otley RFC player and Mullin Strength and Fitness founder - Conor Mullin. We talked about: Developing late in the Ulster pathway Captaining Leeds Beckett University Getting selected for Yorkshire u20s Playing for a famous club like Otley Self-development and his desire for constant learning. Building a Strength and Fitness business. This is an inspirational episode - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Conor Mullin on Instagram - @conormullin8 - https://www.instagram.com/conormullin8/ Mullin Strength and Fitness on Instagram - @mullinstrengthandfitness - https://www.instagram.com/mullinstrengthandfitness/ on Tiktok - @mullinstrengthandfitness - https://www.tiktok.com/@mullinstrengthandfitness on Facebook - Mullin Strength and Fitness - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092690207418 Website -  www.mullinstrengthandfitness.com Otley RFC - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/otley GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

Andy was a former team-mate at Old Colfeians RFC and he also played plenty of rugby for Bedford Athletic and North Bristol. We talked about Mulders’ rugby journey which flowed into very interesting topics like the rights and wrongs of team initiations and the pros and cons of earning money in the murky world of semi-professionalism. There are also a couple of truly heartwarming rugger tales. LINKS @andymuldoon on Twitter The Drop-goal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3zseJ8sE3A Muldoon's Amazing 10-point Tour Check List GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Ashby RFC Secretary and Women’s Rugby lead - Claire Kurpil. We talked about: How Ashby RFC has grown a successful women’s section in less than a year. The benefits of T1 rugby (but not at the expense of full-contact). The love of going on tour. How The Bullettes will be part of the very first T1 game at the Allianz Stadium. This is a fantastic episode, full of passion and positivity - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Ashby RFC - https://www.ashbyrfc.co.uk/ Ashby Bullettes on Instagram - @ashbybullettes - https://www.instagram.com/ashbybullettes/ Ashby RFC on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshbyRugby GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

I first met Rod Turner as a teammate at Esher RFC. An athletic 2nd Row, Rod is one of the most universally liked players I have encountered in our great sport. He's a real team man and social king. We had a brilliant chat about video stitch-ups, Italian flash-mobs and what it’s like to play for the 2nd XV of every rugby club in London. LINKS Contact Rod via email - [email protected] Rod’s Podcast - The Rodcast can be found here - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rodcast/id1479224466 Rod’s Pre Interview video - https://youtu.be/fO-uKsEUCM8 GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is the lead for MAN v FAT Rugby - Karl White. We talked about: .The history of MAN v FAT How MAN v FAT Rugby was born The specific benefits of group sport in the weight-loss journey Some incredible early success stories This is a fantastic episode - I hope you enjoy. LINKS MAN v FAT Rugby - https://manvfatrugby.com/ Just Ask A Question - https://jaaq.org/home Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/manvfatrugby Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/manvfatrugby/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@manvfat YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@manvfat GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.