Podcast Series
Global Soccer Coaching & Player Development
At GoPlay, we are more than just a travel company. We strive to educate, inform, and entertain in all the sports we care about. We aim to bring people together from around the world to discuss the "Beautiful Game."
During COVID, the GoPlay team kept busy by creating a series of informational Podcasts. This generic coaching content has 25k+ downloads.
Our host, Manchester United Academy Coach Tom Statham, anchors episodes with some of soccer’s influential figures and coaches from the US and abroad.
Episode 30
In this Episode, we follow three successful soccer journeys. Paige Eli - Head Coach at Davenport University, Lydia Sutcliffe - Assistant Coach, Hinds CC, and Shameeka Fishley - Professional Player, Fenerbahce.
Episode 29
In this Episode, we discuss US soccer in 70/80s with Denny Vaninger, Ex-US International, and St. Louis Hall of Famer, & Tony Whelan, Manchester United Academy Legend, and Former NASL Player.
Episode 28
In this Episode, we provide an Insight into College Soccer with Connecticut College, and their journey to becoming 2021 NCAA DIII National Champions
Joining the discussion are Head Coach, and National DIII Coach of the Year, Reuben Burk, and All-American Players, Stephen Yeonas and Augustin Djerdjaj.
Episode 27
In this Episode, we chat with the three members from the NAICA (North American Irish Coaches Association). The NAICA is a highly-regarded institution with the goal to serve, connect and elevate Irish coaches in North America. Joining the discussion are President John O'Rourke, and board members, Enda Crehan, and Darragh Boyle.
Episode 26
In this Episode, we discuss "Women in Soccer: Celebrating Success Through Holistic Development & Collaboration” with Manchester United Academy Manager and U21s Coach - Charlotte Healy, Soccer Parenting Founder and Coach - Skye Bruce, and Steady Academy Founder and Coach - Nora Maguire White.
Episode 25
In this Episode, we discuss "Coach Education & Player Development" with Wes Hughes, Lead U16s Coach - Wolverhampton Wanderers, Paul Cowie, Head of Academy Coaching - Dundee United FC, and Scott Allison, Foundation Phase Coach - Norwich City.
Episode 24
In this Episode, alongside the Way of the Champions Podcast, Manchester United Academy Legend Tony Whelan chats with Changing the Game Project Founder John O’ Sullivan about the Importance of Protecting Childhoods.
Episode 23
In this Episode, we discuss Coach Education with experienced former player, coach and manager - Sean O'Driscoll. Sean made over 600 professional appearances for Bournemouth, and Fulham. He was capped 3 times by the Republic of Ireland. Sean's journey continued with head coach's jobs at Bournemouth, Doncaster, Nottingham Forest, Walsall, and Bristol City, plus senior coaching roles at Portsmouth, Liverpool and the England U19s.
Also, joining the conversation is Dr Alex Twitchen, Senior Lecturer Sport Development and Coaching and Steve Davis, Technical Director at FSA United, Connecticut.
Episode 22
In this Episode, we chat with current professional, and ex-EPL Player Frazier Campbell, and his former team-mate in the Manchester United Academy, and current non-League player Aaron Burns
Also, joining the conversation is Sanjeev Parmar, Founder of Futuro Soccer Academy in Ottawa, Canada.
Episode 21
In this Episode, we discuss "Importance of Tournament Play" with Chris Simms, U14s Coach - Manchester United, Stephen Wright, Head of Academy - Dundee FC , and Andrew Steeves, Position Development Coach Analyst - Dundee United FC.
Episode 20
This Episode discusses why "Football Starts at Home" with Tom Byer, the highly acclaimed coach and author based in Japan. Joining the conversation is Houston Dynamos Academy Director and Former Player Paul Holocher.
Episode 19
The Episode discusses the Constraints - Led Approach to Coaching Youth Players with Mark O’Sullivan, AIK Stockholm Player Developer and PHD Researcher.
Also, joining the conversation is Jake Pickles, Foundation Level Coach at Crystal Palace.
Episode 18
This Episode discusses Coach Education and Player Development with Dan Miccichie - Arsenal U18s Head Coach, and former MK Dons Manager.
Also, joining the conversation is Sanjeev Parmar, Founder of Futuro Soccer Academy in Ottawa, Canada.
Episode 17
This Episode previews the rescheduled Euro 2020 Quarter-Final with highly acclaimed soccer journalist and author Grant Wahl (Futbol Podcast) and the Wall Street Journal's European Soccer Correspondent and author Joshua Robinson.
Episode 16
This Episode we talk to Inter Miami's Lewis Morgan about his career & the role played by his agent (Beswicks Sports)
He is joined by Head of Football, John Hasall and Football Consultant and Coach, Ash Hill from Beswicks Sports.
Episode 15
This Episode follows the soccer journey of Phil Marsh. A former Manchester United Soccer Player, who following a bad injury is playing and coaching in non-league football.
He is joined by Sean Napier, ECNL Director, and MLS Next Coach from the Boston Bolts and a big Manchester United fan.
Episode 14
This Episode previews the rescheduled Euro 2020 with highly acclaimed soccer journalist and author Grant Wahl (Futbol Podcast) and the Wall Street Journal's European Soccer Correspondent and author Joshua Robinson.
Episode 13
This Episode we chat with Father and Son "Gold Dust" Podcast Duo Keith and David Mayer. Keith is a coach at Liverpool FC Academy, and David is Head of Foundation at 7 Elite Academy in Utah.
Keith and Dave are also bestselling authors of Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly, and new release, The Lone Wolf.
Episode 12
This Episode chats with David Jones, a current soccer player who played in over 100 EPL Games for Wolves, Derby, Wigan and Burnley and and 400 Total Games.
He is joined by John Salvatore, Former Yale Soccer Coach and Sam Al-basith, LA Galaxy Academy Coach
Episode 11
This Episode discusses the 4v4 with Soccer Project Specialist Rick Fenoglio and Leicester City Lead Foundation Coach Shamus Beaglehole
Episode 10
This Episode discusses everything Goalkeeping with former Manchester United and Professional Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka. Paul played in over 500 games at all levels of the game. He is joined by Goalkeeping Coach Neil Thompson Founder of Big Cat Goalkeeping.
Episode 9
This Episode discusses Equality & Diversity with Arsenal Legend and PFA Coach Educator Paul Davis and Adviser to the EPL, Paul Cleal OBE.
Episode 8
This Episode tracks Manchester United First Team Player Nemanja Matic's soccer journey from Serbia to England, via Slovakia, Netherlands and Portugal. Alongside guest, James Beeston - Beestera Training (NY)
Episode 7
This Episode follows Laurence Wyke's journey from Manchester United to Tampa Bay Rowdies, via Atlanta United and Furman University.
Alongside guests, Furman University Head Coach, Doug Allison, and Players Luke Tandy, Jake Raine, and Tommy Redhead.
Episode 6
Importance of the Foundation Phase with Ross Brooks, Lead Foundation Coach at West Ham United. Alongside guests, Zach Soderberg, Milwaukee Kickers, and Nicholas Piccirilli, SCS Soccer in Pittsburgh.
Episode 5
Find out what happens behind the scenes at an English professional soccer club with Cambridge United midfielder Luke Hannant and Head of Performance Matt Walker. They are joined by guest Yossi Raz, Head Coach of UC Irvine, California.
Episode 4
Steven Crane, Head of Player Development and Education at The Coaching Manual talks about coach education and player development with guest Steve Davis, Technical Director at FSA United, Connecticut.
Episode 3
Coach education with Ian Barker, Director of Coaching at United Soccer Coaches and Jim Hicks, Head of Coaching at the PFA (EN).
Episode 2
All things Foundation Phase with Rich Keeling, Lead Foundation Coach at Leicester City, alongside guests Andy Mason from Boston Bolts (MA), and Chris Koenig from La Grange Celtics (IL).
Episode 1
Player development and coach education with Martin Diggle, Head of Coach Development at Liverpool FC.
Martin is joined by guests Johnny Burns from Florida Celtic (FL), and Chris Panayiotou from Rush FC (VA).