#97 - Alex Wicks - From Old Colfeians to Real Madrid

My guest this week is USA 7’s Head Coach - Mike Friday. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 and we talked about the development of young, elite players in England. We talk about how the demands have changed over the years, the pros and cons of different pathway systems, and why English players don’t seem to get enough game-time. Mike has a huge amount of experience of coaching young elite players, including his two sons Harrison and Lucas. This is a fascinating episode - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Mike Friday on Twitter @MikeFriday09 Mike Friday - Episode #8 on The Amateur Rugby Podcast - https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/8-mike-friday/ Sporting Excellence Group - https://sportingexcellencegroup.com/ Sport Ed Ex - https://www.sportedex.com/rugby/ 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) 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 former rugby player, now rugby promoter - Dan Tanner. This interview was recorded in April of 2024 and we talked about the remarkable tale of how Dan got into rugby, and what it was like to be a rugby nomad. We talked about playing in Canada, the incredible end-of-season tournaments and the challenges facing Rugby Canada from the grassroots to the National Team, before finishing talking about 99Social and how Dan is helping to promote and grow the game in North America. This is a brilliant episode full of fun stories and deep insight into the current Canadian rugby landscape - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Dan Tanner on Instagram - @pintsandscrums Rugby Canada - https://rugby.ca/en The Axemen Rugby - https://www.axemenrugbyclub.com/ 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) 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 Rugby Union player and Rugby League fan - Andrew Foster. This interview was recorded in March of 2024 and we talked about Foz growing up in League country, what it’s like to take a bunch of southern softies to the Challenge Cup Final, thoughts on player recruitment and retention in lower teams and what it’s like as a teacher to play alongside one your students. We also spoke about Foz’s son, Rycroft - who is sadly no longer with us having passed away last year after being diagnosed with the incredibly rare Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. This is a raw insight into parental bereavement. Foz shared this with the hope of helping others. This is a truly meaningful episode - I hope you enjoy. LINKS Andrew Foster on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-foster-tougher-minds/ Andrew Foster on Twitter - @andrewfoster101 Andrew Foster on Instagram - @andrewfoster101 Rycroft Forever - www.RycroftForever.com Rycroft Forever on Instagram - @rycroftforever Rycroft’s Rugby Rumble - https://www.ocrfc.co.uk/rycrofts-rugby-rumble/ Stem Cell donation - https://www.anthonynolan.org/ Old Colfeians RFC - https://www.ocrfc.co.uk/ 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) 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 former Harelquins and Worcester winger - Sam Smith. This interview was recorded in March of 2024 and we talked about Sam’s rapid rise into the pro ranks, the perilous spiral he routinely found himself in when his form dipped, dealing with harsh criticism and living with Joe Marler! We discussed the trials of retiring young and losing your identity, post-rugby entrepreneurship, self-work and a new passion for helping others in transition. This is a deep and insightful view under the skin of Pro rugby - I hope you enjoy! LINKS Sam Smith on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-smith-coaching/ Sam Smith on Instagram - @thisisthechangingroom - https://www.instagram.com/thisisthechangingroom/ Blackheath RFC - https://blackheathrugby.co.uk/ Esher RFC - https://www.esherrugby.com/ Harlequins - https://www.quins.co.uk/ Worcester Warriors - https://warriors.co.uk/ 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) 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.

With the Six Nations now complete, I spoke with Simon Elkinson about all the fixtures from the final weekend. The battle for the wooden spoon in Cardiff where Wales tackled Italy. Saturday late afternoon in Dublin as Ireland took on Scotland. And grand finale in Lyon as France took on England. LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter - @OnsideRecruiter - https://twitter.com/OnsideRecruiter Simon Elkinson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonelkinson/ 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) 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.

With the middle weekend of the Six Nations now complete, I spoke with Simon Elkinson about all the fixtures. The surprisingly wild encounter in Rome where Italy beat Scotland. Saturday late afternoon at Twickenham as England put and end to Ireland’s back-to-back Grand Slam hopes. And finishing up with the crazy, Wales versus France from Cardiff. LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter - @OnsideRecruiter - https://twitter.com/OnsideRecruiter Simon Elkinson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonelkinson/ 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) 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.

Despite it being a rest week, I’ve still got some awesome Six Nations content for you. Former podcast guest (and coaching partner of mine at Old Colfeians) Phil Greenaway jumped in to lend his expert analysis on what is going on with England’s attack. LINKS Phil is available for consultancy services. For anyone interested please visit the website - https://pgreenawayltd.com/ 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) 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.

With the middle weekend of the Six Nations now complete, I spoke with Simon Elkinson about all the fixtures. The surprisingly close encounter in Dublin where Ireland overpowered Wales. Saturday late afternoon at Murrayfield for Scotland versus England. And finishing up with the epic, France versus Italy from Lille. LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter - @OnsideRecruiter - https://twitter.com/OnsideRecruiter Simon Elkinson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonelkinson/ 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) 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.

Despite it being a rest week, I’ve still got some awesome Six Nations content for you. Former podcast guest (and coaching partner of mine at Old Colfeians) Phil Greenaway jumped in to lend his expert analysis on why James Lowe’s left peg is such a weapon, but we start with the 6 reasons why Wales are so goddamn hard to beat! LINKS Phil is available for consultancy services. For anyone interested please visit the website - https://pgreenawayltd.com/ 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) 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.  

With the second weekend of the Six Nations now complete, I spoke with Simon Elkinson about all the fixtures. The tense affair in Edinburgh where Scotland lost to France. Saturday late-afternoon at Twickenham for England versus Wales. And finishing up with Ireland versus Italy from sunny Dublin. LINKS Simon Elkinson on Twitter - @OnsideRecruiter - https://twitter.com/OnsideRecruiter Simon Elkinson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonelkinson/ 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) 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.