Tom Talks Junior Cricket Coaching Podcast

Episode 184 with Nicolas Whitelaw on how coaching has given him a different perspective on the game he has loved playing since the age of 6 11.09.2026 32min

Nicolas has played to a very high standard of cricket in South Africa (all the way to the SA Lions standard) and still plays Prem cricket now. He started coaching aged just 18 in a school and today coaching is his full time vocation since founding Top Gun Cricket Academy. His coaching philosophy is all about helping players foster a real love for the game and keep learning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 183 with Shaun Brown on how forty years of coaching has continued to fill him with passion for his craft 04.09.2026 44min

Shaun says coaching is not about qualifications: its about the positive difference you make with players and I would agree with him. Shaun has been making a positive difference for over 40 years. Based in Melbourne, Australia where most of his coaching programmes and camps are located but taking tours to New Zealand, India and England Shaun has a wide programme offer which helps develop hundreds of young cricketers each year. What Shaun also has is an extensive network of people he knows in the game many of whom have played the game right up to International level and he makes use of this network by getting a number of these guys to coach with him each year. How about that for a USP?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 182 with Nik Badkundri on how he is aiming to make the mental side of cricket accessible to any player or coach or parent 28.08.2026 35min

Nik grew up in India playing cricket like most kids and now lives in Australia practising as a mental performance coach for cricketers, their coaches and parents. He frames his approach within 4 principle concepts of: 1. Understanding internal pressure 2. Understanding the flow/zone when Skill meets Challenge 3. Understanding the fears that players have 4. Understanding the triggers that pre-empt fears/behaviours/reactions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 181 with Shaun Siegert on how three coaching principles defines how he coaches 21.08.2026 41min

Shaun has been coaching top players from around the globe for over two decades including the likes of Joe Root. In that time he has based his approach on stripping things back to basics and looking for a pplayer's stickability. Over time he has created a coaching philosophy that focuses on three key principles: 1. Make players uncomfortable 2. Find a Way 3. Develop the person Shaun is also a great believer in encouraging players to reflect on their learnings from practice and matches. At the end of the day, Shaun coaches because he wants to be the person he never had as a youngster growing up playing cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 180 with Patrick William-Powlett on how he got involved with South Shields CC and helped them grow their junior membership 14.08.2026 38min

Patrick did not get involved with cricket until the age of 28 when he was asked to help make up the numbers for a second eleven match. However he was immediately taken in by the club the people and the environment so much so that when he was appointed as club chair he made it his mission to grow the junior section and that is exactly what has happened. By listening to this episode you will get to hear more about the what and the how and if you would then like to find out more please email Patrick at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 179 with Johnny Roberts on how starting to play cricket for the first time aged 11 inspired him to get coaching by the age of 17 and start up his own coaching company aged just 21 07.08.2026 30min

Johnny is one of those coaches who just wants to make cricket accessible and affordable to everyone. Living in a part of the North East of England where affordability is one of the most significant drivers re participation in sport Johnny has made great strides in supporting individuals and families in getting into cricket. For more info on what he does, where and when please check out www.jonnyscricketcoaching.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 178 with Seb Connor on his experience of setting up his own coaching business which is all about giving skills to youngsters to help them become better individuals 31.07.2026 33min

Seb started working with Kira Chathli at Surrey on the women and girls' pathway and has made it his mission to help coach in this area of the game and so founded Next Level Cricket Academy in Dulwich. He is now looking to create a model for week long coaching camps which he can take anywhere in the world. His philosophy of "less is more" is central to his coaching approach alongside very specific focus on details he believes will add value to players Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 177 with Chris Morgan on the importance of successioning junior club cricketers into senior cricket as second eleven captain 24.07.2026 32min

Chris has been a player, coach, a scorer, a captain and now an umpire all at Ponteland CC in Northumberland. Over time he has coached and supported many junior cricketers develop their game and move into senior cricket. Today he is doing more umpiring and in this episode he share what he observes about the younger players in games he officiates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 176 with Sam Heazlett on how being self aware from a young age has helped him play cricket professionally and forge a career as a coach too 17.07.2026 39min

Sam is by his own definition a reserved, quietly spoken and reflective individual but with strong motivation to get better as a person and a competitive determination to do as well as he can on and off the cricket field. He is also a fully qualified physio so has a number of roles within the game but the coaching is where he really thrives. He has clearly worked out his values as a coach and stays true to these with all the players he coaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 175 with Samara Afzal on how a supportive Father allowed her to continue playing cricket when others said it was not allowed 10.07.2026 37min

Samara remembers playing cricket with her brothers growing up with great pleasure but if it had not been for her supportive Dad she may never have played cricket again and therefore not got involved in coaching and other areas of the game. She now is a coach of junior and women's cricket and is also a Trustee of Cricket Wales all this alongside her full time profession as a GP! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 174 with Andre Burger on how and why he set up Neuro Batting as a focus for his coaching in Australia 03.07.2026 40min

Andre originates from South Africa but has lived in Australia for a while where he played and has coached for a number of years. Over time he saw a gap in the market to set up what he calls the Neuro Batting Program and this is the main focus for this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 173 with Darius and Daniel Joseph on how cricket has offered them so much in their lives already and how there is much more still to come 26.06.2026 42min

Darius and Daniel are 19 year old twin brothers from Barbados who have been brought up with cricket since the age of four. They have experienced schooling in the UK at Kings Bruton and Scarborough College and now are doing well in the coaching and playing arenas. Both have ambition to continue to improve themselves through the game and both have hunger to achieve but with slightly different approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 172 with Darryl Rebbetts on how a love of the game combined with a desire to help create opportunities for kids to enjoy sport through education has shaped Darryl's life 19.06.2026 40min

Darryl loves the team and individual dynamics of cricket and has played since he was 10 years old. After finishing University and going into PE teaching he has found how much he loves helping children of all abilities enjoy sport and cricket. He is a massive believer in volume practice and showing visual feedback to players as a coach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 171 with Paddy Rathbone on how to create the right environment for the players you coach is so important 12.06.2026 35min

Paddy has built up a wealth of experience in and around junior cricket from his tenure as Chair of Percy Main CC and coach at South Northumberland CC. He is also the Father of two sporty sons one of whom absolutely loves his cricket so he has this dimension added to his cv as Dad! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 170 with Ian Reece how as a coach he prioritises building rapport with the players he coaches and also values the subject of feedback 05.06.2026 37min

Ian is a sports psych who is from and lives in Barbados. Ian is a passionate, caring cricket coach who focuses a lot on building the confidence in the athletes he supports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 169 with Arsalan Khalid: how cricket became a safe haven and social hub for Arsalan in Ireland having moved there from Pakistan aged 19 29.05.2026 34min

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Episode 168 with Min Patel; how prioritising fielding with young players is a priority at Kent Cricket 22.05.2026 34min

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Episode 167 with Henry Thorpe on how he brings positive energy to every session he runs and in doing so helps deliver the best hour for a young cricketer each week 15.05.2026 38min

Despite loving the game of ricket from a very young age Henry didnt think he was great at it or anything else until he realised he was good with people. He now really loves coaching with Surrey and with In Touch Cricket Academy from which he has developed his own philosophy for coaching: 1. Physical: transfer your weight as a batter staying strong and balanced 2. Meta physical: absorb every failure and decide how you will respond 3. Resilience: rid ourselves of false beliefs and re-frame! He enjoys bringing positive energy to each session + keeping things simple. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 166 with Faisal Shahid on how an authentically caring approach to helping others led to coaching finding him some time after taking a break from the game 08.05.2026 38min

Faisal worked his was through all the age groups with Worcestershire CCC and got a first year contract only then to find that nerves got the better of him. He did carry on playing for a few years but then took a break away from cricket and in this period found out more about himself and what he liked and from this point forwards he got on a pathway to discover coaching. He places significant importance on helping a player feel confident and starts from a perspective about caring for every player that he comes into contact with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 165 with Shiv Hustler on how a random meeting at a cricket match led to her working in the county age group system with Kent Cricket. 01.05.2026 31min

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