Explore every episode of the podcast Challenging the Game
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The coach's guide to sports bras | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:37:43 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Amelia Doxey, brand manager and sports bra fitter for Boobydoo. They chat about the sports bra education for all ages, what clubs should include in an information pack, support for coaches and their new sports bra advocate course. The Boobydoo sports bra advocate course is open to all club staff members, coaches, volunteers who are interested in learning more about sports bras to create a better and inclusive environment for the players. Jess Bunyard is a Affiliate of the Sports Bra course. Sign up to the course via her affiliate link and get 15% off the course. Use the code JES15BAD and click here Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Placing health at the heart of a player's journey | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:42:46 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Kathryn Meadows, Female Athlete Health Specialist. They chat about the current landscape of teen sport, girls rugby and some of the female health topics that need to be included within practice and system change. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Female coaches, the system, structures and coach development | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:27:19 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Emily Handyside who is Coaching Team Lead at UK Coaching. They chat about what needs to happen to ensure female coaches thrive, how to recuit and retain female coaches and experiences of coach development. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| "Soft skills", finding opportunities in water breaks and scaffolding challenge | 04 May 2026 | 00:47:17 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Dr Ed Hall who is coach developer, consultant and reseacher. They speak about coach development, including their own experiences, where coaches can find additional opportunities to support and challenge players at training. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Impact, young people and parents | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:35:25 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Professor Camilla Knight who is Director of Impact, Innovation and Engagement at Greenhouse Sports. They speak about measuring impact in sport, barriers young people face and how coaches can engage and develop better relationships with parents. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Mental health, connection and support | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:26:06 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Heather Lewis who is Head of Delivery for LooseHeadz. They speak about mental health, how coaches can support themselves and their players, and why connection is important. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Being playful matters | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:42:15 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Richard Cheetham MBE. They speak about including play in coaching sessions and why it’s important (for recruitment, retention and improving players). Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Podcast Collab: Sisters who Scrum! | 06 Dec 2025 | 00:47:32 | |
Part of an ongoing collaborations with Holly from Sisters Who Scrum…check out this podcast episode with Holly and Helena, a women’s health physio. They chat about rugby and the pelvic floor. A great podcast for both players and coaches. Tune in to this incredibly eye-opening and inspiring podcast, where host Holly opens up about her experience of pelvic floor dysfunction whilst playing rugby and the wonderful women’s health physio guest, Helena, shares all her wisdom and expertise on how to care for your pelvic floor during the rugby season! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Care and respect | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:34:21 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Ramsey Tomokino who coached Manusina, Samoa women’s team, during the World Cup. Ramsey is now the General Manager High Performance at Lakapi Samoa. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Hormonal research in practice | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:30:50 | |
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Bex Attwell. Bex is embedded within Matatū team in New Zealand. Her research explores hormonal changes in players and how menstrual information is power. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Create psychological safety in girls rugby | 06 Oct 2025 | 00:48:33 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by teacher and coach Dan Lycett. They discuss Dan’s experiences of coaching his daughter’s team including: what ‘detail’ looks like in sessions, being a Dad and a coach and creating a space for players to explore and speak. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Coaching Bestie | 01 Sep 2025 | 01:06:15 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by coach Andy Stevens. They chat about how they support, check and challenge each other. Plus how they’ve reflected as they’ve developed their coaching Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| World Cup Hype and Legacy | 04 Aug 2025 | 00:43:36 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Alice Soper a hugely passionate women’s rugby advocate and writer. Jess and Alice discuss the 2022 and 2025 World Cups and their legacy. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Social justice in sport | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:37:07 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Professor Leanne Norman. Leanne is the Director of the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society within the Carnegie School of Sport. Jess and Leanne discuss equity and inclusion at a national and local level within coaching Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Returning to rugby after a vaginal prolapse | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:35:15 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Holly Ingram. Holly describes her vaginal prolapse, rehab and return to rugby. She also discusses how she’s raised awareness within her local community and club. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Stats of the game | 12 May 2025 | 00:40:02 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Sam Larner. They chat about stats from women’s rugby, including looking ahead to the World Cup. They also discuss what stats to collect if you don’t have access to much equipment and how to engage the players. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Bonus Pod: Rusty is back! | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:50:47 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Russell Earnshaw. They chat about how they define learning, using videos at training and their coaching journeys Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Designing female rugby boots | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:26:38 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by CEO of IDA Sports, Laura Youngson. They chat about designing female specific rugby boots and why it matters. Plus the work with Guinness and the Women’s Six Nations to launch the boot Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Inclusivity within Rugby League | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:38:22 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Rugby Development Manager for the Sheffield Eagles, Andrea Dobson MBE. They chat about wheelchair rugby league and why a ‘whole club’ ethos helps achieve inclusivity within sport Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Coaching attack with Lou Meadows | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:40:37 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Red Roses Attack Coach Lou Meadows. They chat about coaching the Red Roses, empowering players and developing skill in attack. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Challenge yourself and your players with Russell Earnshaw | 06 Jan 2025 | 00:48:01 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Coach Developer Russell Earnshaw. They chat about using challenges at training, understanding emotion when coaching and making sessions feel more like a match. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Bridging the gaps with Dr Izzy Moore | 16 Dec 2024 | 00:35:30 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Dr Izzy Moore, Associate Professor Human Movement and Sports Medicine. They chat about returning to sport postpartum, how research can work with practice and why pregnancy and postpartum research is new. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Matatū and following your own path with Sarah Munro | 18 Nov 2024 | 00:39:56 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Sarah Munro, General Manager for Matatū. They chat about the story of Matatū, women’s rugby and following your own path Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Postpartum rugby with Gráinne Donnelly | 02 Nov 2024 | 00:31:56 | |
In this episode, Jess is joined by Gráinne Donnelly, an Advanced Physiotherapist and Doctoral Researcher Cardiff Metropolitan University. They chat about players returning from sport postpartum, and how coaches can support players. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Leadership and learning from the Crusaders with Kaila Colbin | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:48:14 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by CEO and Founder of Boma, Kaila Colbin. They discuss learning from the Crusaders, coaching and leadership. Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Training contact skills with Dan Lycett | 14 May 2024 | 00:41:16 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by Head of PE and Sport St Davids College, Dan Lycett. They discuss coaching tackling, creating psychological safety for players and why evasion should be including in contact training Get full access to Coaching Care Creativity at https://jessbunyard.substack.com/subscribe Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Challenging the Game with Anne Onwusiri | 19 Apr 2024 | 00:39:59 | |
In this episode Jess is joined by the founder of Black Girls Ruck, Anne Onwusiri. They discuss race and gender within rugby union, what Anne would change within the game (less running) and how to remove barriers to participation. Get full access to Coaching Care Creativity at https://jessbunyard.substack.com/subscribe Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Marketing and governance with Charlie Roberts | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:44:28 | |
Charlie Roberts has been involved with rugby for over 10 years. She was the first female chair of a community rugby club and has been Chair of Women and Girls rugby for Yorkshire RFU. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||
| Let's start together - Teaser episode | 22 Feb 2024 | 00:13:38 | |
Challenging the Game teaser episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe | |||