The Beautiful Game Plan Podcast

This week, we're joined by Rob Young, MBE, the CEO of Switch The Play, a charity that assists professional athletes in transitioning to civilian life. Rob shares his journey from his childhood in Norwich to working on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and eventually setting up Switch The Play. Dan and Rob discuss the challenges athletes face when their sports careers end, the importance of developing transferable skills, and the role of sports in bridging societal gaps. Rob also highlights the holistic approach his charity takes in supporting athletes in aspects such as identity, mental wellbeing and financial stability. Interested in becoming a Switch The Play trustee? Learn more here!

This week, we're joined by Ria Burrage-Male, a former multidiscipline athlete, former CEO of Hockey Wales and Director/founder of KIBO. Ria shares a detailed history of her illustrious career in sport, highlighting her experiences in hockey, rugby, kickboxing, and football. She also discusses her transition from being a professional athlete to a business leader, touching upon key life lessons and principles that drive her success. Ria talks about the foundation of KIBO, a wellness and mindset business - emphasizing the importance of self-care, resilience and diverse thinking both in sports and business.

This week, we dive into the world of event management with Paul Butterworth, CEO at Chambers Wales. From Champions League finals to FA Cup spectacles, Paul shares insights into the meticulous planning and seamless execution required to make these events unforgettable. Learn how hosting major sports events transforms cities like Cardiff, boosting economies and leaving lasting legacies. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, event planner, or simply curious about behind-the-scenes operations, this episode offers valuable perspectives on strategy, fan engagement, and the intersection of sports and urban development!

This week we're joined by Adam Thomas, CEO of Genletics to uncover how genetic testing can help prevent injuries and enhance performance in sports. Learn about the innovative methods being used to tailor training schedules based on individual genetic profiles and the broader implications for the future of athletic training. Reserve your free ticket for Genletics x Kyra Edwards: Tracking Biology for Olympic Success here!

Step into the business side of grassroots football with Will Morgan, Director of Tor Sports, as we uncover the art of kit design, sponsorship deals, and club management. From creating unique kits to forging partnerships, gain insights into the entrepreneurial spirit driving clubs like Rogerstone AFC forward. Follow Tor Sports: on Facebook on Instagram on X/Twitter

This week, we take a deep dive into the inner workings of rugby officiating with James Jones, Head of Match Officials for Wales Rugby League and the world's first dual code rugby union and rugby league international referee. Join us as James candidly discusses the intricacies of making split-second decisions, managing player interactions, maintaining composure under pressure and inspiring the next generation. Follow James Jones: on LinkedIn on Twitter/X on Facebook

This week we delve deep into the world of sports content creation with special guest Daniel Simmons, founder of Populate Social. The results-driven creative social agency that's taken the world by storm, winning 2023's Digital Business of the year at the Cardiff Business Awards and a finalist at this year's Global Social Media Awards. Discover the strategies and insights behind elevating fan engagement, building a winning social media strategy, and creating compelling sports stories. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, content creator, or social media marketer, this episode offers valuable tips and game-changing tactics to take your content game to the next level. For industry-leading social media marketing without the fluff, check out https://populate.social/

This week we're joined by legendary broadcaster and journalist Harry Harris. With over 40 years of experience covering sports, Harry shares insights into the evolution of sports journalism and the impact of social media on content consumption. The Harrises (no relation) also chat about the changing landscape of football, from the rise of gambling to the financial struggles of clubs. Discover the intersection of sports and art as Harry discusses his latest project, a unique history of Spurs in collaboration with renowned sports caricaturist Paul Trevillion. Learn more about SmartFrame and how you can get involved: https://smartframe.io/

Ever wondered what goes into pulling off hilarious pranks on your favourite footballers? Join us as Andy Scott lifts the curtain on his early days on Banzai to executive producing Defoe for Amazon Prime, Andy shares insights into his 30-year career journey. We explore the art of crafting engaging sports content, from Player Pranks' outrageous gags to the inspiring stories of aspiring footballers in The Football Academy on CBBC. Got a project you want to pitch to Andy? Get in touch at https://babywolf.productions/

Explore the role of philanthropy in sports with former Wales Rugby League CEO Gareth Kear as he highlights the significance of giving back to the community and supporting grassroots initiatives. Discover how partnerships between sports organizations and philanthropic entities can drive positive change and leave a lasting legacy. Follow Gareth Kear on Twitter Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn

This week, we're joined by Roopa Vyas, one of the dynamic forces behind Her Game Too. From her unexpected journey into football fandom to her groundbreaking initiatives tackling sexism in the sport, Roopa shares her inspiring story. Discover how Her Game Too is making football a more inclusive space, one partnership at a time. Plus, get insights into the challenges of running a volunteer-led organization alongside a full-time job and learn how you can support their mission. Tune in for a conversation that celebrates passion, perseverance, and the beautiful game. It's #HerGameToo: https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/ Learn how you can help: https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/cymru

When a football club has as many highs and lows as CCFC, it’s important that their marketing team is able to ride the wave of fan trends to help keep them engaged when a season isn’t going quite right. This week, we’re joined by James Askey, CCFC’s Head of CRM, Marketing and Insight to discuss the importance of understanding your audience, the challenges of engaging fans in the digital age for match day experiences and Cardiff City’s surprising season. Follow James: on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/james-askey-94262377 Follow Focus Shift Films: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOCUSSHIFTFILMS/ on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/focusshiftfilms

Are brand partnerships the future of football? We sat down with James Watts, the (now) Chief Commercial Officer at Swindon Town FC to discuss the club’s lofty plans to establish a global fanbase. He and Dan also reminisce about classic kits and the power of nostalgia in shaping football clubs’ content strategies. Follow James: on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mc.wotsee on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/wattsjames on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mcwotsee Follow Focus Shift Films: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOCUSSHIFTFILMS/ on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/focusshiftfilms

How does the FAW use football as a unifying force for Welsh identity? We sat down with Rob Dowling, the Head of Content & Engagement for FA Wales and the Welsh national football teams to explore how football unites the Welsh community. From the overlooked grassroots teams to the rise of streaming services, discover the FAW's efforts in driving positive change and amplifying Welsh football beyond traditional platforms. Watch exclusive documentaries, features, coaching masterclasses and international match highlights for free on RedWall+: faw.cymru/redwallplus Follow Rob: on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Rob_Dowling on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/robdowling on Instagram: https://instagram.com/robdowling Follow Focus Shift Films: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOCUSSHIFTFILMS/ on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/focusshiftfilms

What legacy does Worcester City Women FC’s owner and CEO want to build?  Nicole Allison (a wearer of many hats who’s also a Football Consultant, Educator and Talent Manager) joins us to discuss the unique needs of women's football and the long-term investment required for its growth. Follow Nicole: on Instagram: instagram.com/nasport_ on Twitter/X: twitter.com/NicoleAllison2 on LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/nicole-allison-she-her-708b382b Follow Focus Shift Films: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOCUSSHIFTFILMS/on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/focusshiftfilms

Welcome to the first episode of The Beautiful Game Plan Podcast with your host Daniel J. Harris! He's a filmmaker, an entrepreneur working across sport and a huge fan of sports content. This podcast is our chance to meet some amazing people who are doing amazing things in the sports content space, and to share their stories with you in the hope that it inspires ideas! Ever wondered how Manchester City’s content game is always on point? Or how Adidas always manages to nail their ad campaigns? Our first guest is Creative Director and lifelong Bradford City fan Julian Gratton to discuss the evolution of sports marketing and the many untapped revenue streams for football clubs, at all levels of the game. Don’t forget to like, share and follow the podcast so you never miss an upload! Follow Julian on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/juliangratton Follow Focus Shift Films: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOCUSSHIFTFILMS/ on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/focusshiftfilms