A Journey Through Sport

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is UEFA A licence coach Manuel Nunez-dongour. In this episode, Manuel gives a great and fascinating insight into growing up and playing football in Canada and chasing the dream in Spain. He also talks about making the decision of moving on from playing to coaching. Where he completed his UEFA A licence at an early age and moving through the ranks at Espanyol. During his time at Espanyol, he talks about adapting to different scenarios, his values as a coach, proving his worth and taking inspiration from other coaches. He also goes into detail about moving from academy football to semi-pro football, the role of a coach as a life coach. He also gives an inspiring isolation 6-a-side team! “ I really enjoyed talking to Manuel, he talks with so much maturity and while telling his story you can see how much he has grown as a person and as a coach. I feel this is a great episode for any young aspiring coaches out there!” This was recorded in the Summer 2022, very sorry for the lateness of this episode. Enjoy the episode and let me know what you think on our social media platforms; just search ‘A Journey Through Sport’ on instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is legendary kitman Bob Oteng. The former QPR, West Ham, Watford, Charlton and current Brentford kitman talks about his career working in professional football. He talks about the tight knit community at Brentford, the roles and responsibilities of being a kitman, how many shirts a premier league goes through in a season, and his excellent shirt collection! He also talks about helping to prepare players, his role in the changing room, dealing with challenges and changes in management, building relationships and much more! He also has an exceptional isolation 6-a-side!! Enjoy the podcast, as Bob gives a fascinating insight of working as a kitman at Brentford! Please follow and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast and other podcast platforms! Please also follow on social media: Instagram; ajourneythroughsportpodcast. Twitter: @journeysport. If you would like to share your thoughts on the podcast or would like to share your story then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In this weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is founder of Hackney Laces Katee Hui. In this episode Katee talks about her experiences moving to London, the challenges she has faced moving and coaching in a different country, the lack of opportunities for women’s football, and from this building Hackney Laces from the ground up. She also talks about the challenges she has faced to getting Hackney Laces where they are today, shock in culture and grassroots between Canada and England, dealing with keyboard warriors and serious threats, supporting the girls of Hackney laces from such threats, the changes Katee has seen in women’s football, being awarded the unsung hero for London at the BBC Sports Personality awards in 2018, managing a full time job with Hackney Laces, and transferable skills. Also an exciting isolation 6-a-side!

In this episode we welcome back Gary Faber for part two! Gary gives a fascinating insight of the day to day runnings of being a physiotherapist at international and first team club level. He talks about his progress with the current England Amputee Football Team, what happens when the squad are together, dealing with limited face to face time, giving them the platform to succeed, what he learnt on his first tournament with England, raising awareness of the sport and representing his country. Gary also recollects on the different challenges he faced working as a first team physiotherapist for different League One clubs. He also talks about fully committing to the role, the reality of working in football, making tough decisions, stepping away from professional football, building foundations, what he does on his days off, and his top 5 tips that have helped in professional football! Here is the link for Gary’s fundraising page for the England Amputee Football Team. Donate if you can, if your want more information then don’t hesitate to get in touch! https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/englandamputeefootballworldcup2022 This episode is great if you aspire to work in professional sport or if you already work in professional to compare experiences.

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is soft tissue therapist Chris Domoney. In this episode, Chris talks about his big career change, why he made this change, and how his previous experiences in other careers helped him with his new career. He also talks about his time at Ebbsfleet United, Gillingham, and Brentford where he has been ever since. He talks about key skills and qualities, enjoying life, being driven, dealing with stress, working as a team, and learning from others. He also talks about being part of Brentford’s promotion push to the premier league and the wonderful managers he has worked under since working for Brentford, including Mark Wharburton, Dean Smith, Lee Carsley, and current manager Thomas Frank. He also includes a very good isolation 6-a-side and an absolute classic of a football shirt!

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is newly appointed England’s National Football Team Amputee physiotherapist Gary Faber. He talks about his previous experiences as a physiotherapist for the NHS, working with the academy at Charlton Athletic, head physiotherapist at Gillingham Football Club, and starting a business with his friend. In this episode he talks about the importance of backing yourself, self worth, respect, and being humble. He also talks about how his experiences in the NHS helped him when working in a sporting environment, dealing with the changing room environment, balancing his private life and work life, learning from others and learning from mistakes. He also includes his isolation 6-a-side and his favourite football shirt!

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is former academy coach and guest host Warren Clarke. He talks about his love of coaching, learning from experience, moving to mens football, reasons why he stopped coaching and the dark side of coaching. We also get to hear his isolation 6-a-side just before we interrupted his cooking!

In this week’s episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, we welcome back Wayne Virgo for part two of his story. Wayne talks about getting back to normality, working as a youth worker, studying, and the murder of his brother. He talks in-depth about the effect it had on himself and his family, the strength of his mother, and the thoughts of revenge. He follows on with having a purpose as a youth worker and the positive effects he has had on the people he works with. Wayne also talks about getting back into sport playing wheelchair basketball, competing in Europe, training with Team GB, and how he got into teaching. This episode also includes Wayne’s isolation 6-a-side and his favourite football shirts.

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is current Head of Physical Education at St. Columba’s Catholic Boys School Wayne Virgo. In this episode, Wayne talks about life growing up on a South London estate, bouncing around London academy clubs, racism in football, and wearing Dave Beasant’s boots. Wayne also goes into detail about how an incident at a house party changed his life forever, where he was told he may never walk again. He reflects on the challenges he has faced learning to walk again, positive mindset, taking his first steps, father figures in his life and being visited in hospital by Jimmy Saville. Part two comes out next week, Enjoy! Warning: This episode contains strong language.

This weeks episode of ‘A Journey Through Sport’, is current Assistant Head Teacher at St. Columba’s Catholic Boys School Harry Martin. In this episode, Harry shows his impressive knowledge of football shirts. He has picked 5 shirts that reminds him of 5 key moments in his teaching career. Harry reflects on how he got involved with teaching, family sporting rivalry, learning from others, progressing, ambition, taking advice and pitch invasions. He also picks his five favourite football shirts and some honourable mentions.