Professor Holly Thorpe, a leading voice in the sociology of sport from the University of Waikato, is an action sports advocate and someone who’s spent years studying the social dynamics of movement and play.

In this episode, Holly shares her journey growing up in Gisborne’s tight-knit windsurfing and skateboarding community, where the learning came from peers, not coaches, and where the natural environment played as big a role as the people did. We discuss the idea of “stoke” — that deep sense of joy and freedom that lives at the heart of action sports — and explore how we might protect and promote that same feeling in more traditional sporting spaces.

We also dive into the challenges girls and women still face in these environments, the impact of family and community, and what happens when sports like snowboarding and skateboarding become Olympic disciplines.

Enjoy!

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Josh Wall is the Director of Performance and Athletic Wellbeing at Wycombe Abbey in the UK, and lead S&C coach for England Women’s Lacrosse. Josh brings a wealth of experience from across the school landscape — from boarding to day schools — and is currently completing a Doctorate in Professional Practice at Leeds Beckett University, where his research focuses on supporting student-athletes in independent girls’ schools.

In this episode, we explore Josh’s journey from football-mad Manchester United fan to a dynamic coach shaping youth athletic development. We dive into the principles behind his coaching philosophy, including the use of movement skill frameworks, strength progression, and educational tools like SOLO taxonomy. Josh also shares insights into designing gym environments that educate and inspire, the power of cultural architects in sport, and the balance needed to support the dual lives of student-athletes.

Enjoy!

Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/

Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.

Connect with Craig:

Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/
Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison
Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrison

Support the show

This is a rebroadcast of episode #2 of The Game Changer podcast, featuring Dr Craig Harrison.

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"What does it really take for young athletes to succeed? In this episode of The Game Changer podcast, we sit down with Dr. Craig Harrison, expert in youth athlete development, founder of the Athlete Development Project, and host of The Athlete Development Show to challenge common beliefs about training, success, and the role of parents in sports.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Youth Athlete Development – The biggest misconceptions parents & coaches have.
• What Separates Elite Athletes – The key qualities needed for long-term success.
• The Parent’s Role in Sports – How to support without adding pressure.
• The Power of Environment – How the right setting shapes an athlete’s future.
• Goal Setting & Motivation – Habits that drive young athletes to achieve success.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to help navigate the complex world of youth sports development."

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