Women’s Football Hub

#081 Team Resilience in Women’s Football – with Dr Adrienn Szabadics

In this episode of the Women's Football Hub psychology series, host Dr Ian Cookson welcomes Dr Adrienn Szabadics, Chartered Sport Psychologist and researcher in team resilience. Dr Szabadics shares insights from her research on resilience within elite women’s football environments. They discuss: • Why team resilience is a psychosocial process, not just a collection of resilient individuals • Organisational and on‑pitch stressors unique to women’s football • Emotional contagion how panic or confidence spreads through a squad • The importance of intentional team identity and high‑quality relationships • The role of shared leadership (motivational, tactical, social, and external leaders) • How coaches can actively prepare teams for adversity, setbacks, and pressure moments • Why resilience must be continuously developed not assumed This episode will benefit coaches, parents, practitioners, and players wanting a deeper understanding of how teams navigate pressure and maintain cohesion in challenging environments. Hashtags #womensfootball #teamresilience #sportpsychology #footballresearch #eliteperformance #leadershipinsport #playerdevelopment #emotionalcontagion #womeninsport #WomensFootballHub

#080 The benefits of football for older women with Carol Bates

In this episode of the Women’s Football Hub podcast, host Carolyn Kent welcomes Carol Bates, founder of Old Girls Play Too and Crawley Old Girls (COGS). Carol has become one of the leading voices championing recreational football for women aged 40+, 50+, 60+ and beyond. Carol shares her journey from growing up in a generation where girls weren’t allowed to play football, to becoming a key figure helping thousands of women discover the joy of the sport later in life. Together, Carolyn and Carol explore: * How recreational football improves confidence, connection and mental wellbeing * The role of football in supporting women through peri‑menopause and menopause * Why older women are still underrepresented in team sports * Bone density, fitness, strength and the surprising long‑term health benefits * How Old Girls Play Too is inspiring a national movement * Real-life transformation stories from women of all ages and abilities * How to get started even if you’ve never kicked a ball before If you’re curious about playing football later in life, supporting older athletes, or understanding the importance of inclusive sporting spaces, this episode offers practical insight and heartfelt encouragement. Connect with Carol: Instagram: @oldgirlsplaytoo | @crawleyoldgirls LinkedIn: Carol Bates #WomensFootball #RecreationalSport #OlderWomenInSport #FootballCommunity #OldGirlsPlayToo #COGS #Women40Plus #ActiveAging #WomenInFootball

#079 The legal side of brain injury in football with Steven Debonis

In this powerful episode, host Carolyn Kent speaks with attorney Steven DeBonis of Cordisco & Saile about the growing legal landscape surrounding traumatic brain injury (TBI) in football. With rulings such as the UK’s Gordon McQueen inquest and decades of concussion litigation in the United States, the conversation around brain injury in sport has never been more urgent. Steven breaks down the intersection between law and medicine explaining how TBIs are defined, how causation is established, why cumulative impacts matter, and what governing bodies and youth organisations need to understand about duty of care. They also explore informed consent, legal precedents, and what the next 10 years might look like as research and litigation continue to evolve. Whether you're a player, coach, administrator, medical professional, or simply a fan who cares about the future of the sport, this episode offers an essential and accessible deep dive into one of football’s most pressing issues. Hashtags: #SportsLaw #BrainInjury #Football #SoccerSafety #ConcussionPrevention #AthleteProtection #WomensFootballHub

#078 Female health in the grassroots with Sarah Thorne

In this episode, host Carolyn Kent speaks with pelvic health expert Sarah Thorne about one of the most overlooked areas in women’s and girls’ sport: female health at grassroots level. With tens of thousands of young girls entering the game, understanding how puberty, menstrual cycles, pelvic health, growth, nutrition and confidence affect performance is more essential than ever. Sarah shares insights from her extensive work in London grassroots clubs, where she supports coaches, parents, and players to build healthier, safer training environments. From the importance of sports bras and cycle awareness to managing growth-related pain and reducing injury risk, this conversation offers practical, immediately useful advice for every club. Whether you're coaching under-10s, parenting a teenage footballer, or working within a club structure, this episode will help you understand how to better support young female players in the most crucial years of their development. Key areas we explore: • What young players experience during puberty • Why menstrual cycles matter in sport • How clubs can promote confidence and reduce stigma • Pelvic floor and breathing awareness for youth athletes • Practical tips on nutrition and load management • The top three essentials every club must implement Hashtags: #femaleathlete #femalehealth #grassrootsfootball #sportshealth #pelvichealth #girlsfootball #youthdevelopment #womensfootballhub

#077 Building a franchise with Jim Gooley

In this in‑depth conversation, Carolyn speaks with Jim Gooley, a central figure in the evolution of several major women’s football franchises in the United States. From the early days of the New Jersey Wildcats to the rise of Gotham FC, Jim has witnessed and helped shape the landscape of the women’s game over more than five decades. They discuss how healthcare sponsorships can make or break a franchise, why player protection must come before performance, and how genuine community relationships are far more powerful than traditional advertising. Jim also shares lesser‑known stories about working with elite players and coaches, and reflects on the increasing commercialisation of the women’s game including the challenges posed by rising transfer fees, ticket pricing, and global tournaments. This episode offers a unique blend of personal story, business insight, and reflections on culture, identity, and what makes women’s football distinct. Topics include: • Building a franchise from amateur to professional • Sponsorship models that genuinely protect players • Injury, recovery, and the realities of early women’s football systems • Merchandising, marketing, and why women’s football fans are different • Independent clubs and the struggle for resources • The evolving global landscape of women’s football • Gotham FC’s championship moment and the league’s rapid growth Hashtags: #womensfootball #footballbusiness #woso #GothamFC #WomensSport #sportsleadership #NWSL #femaleathletes #footballculture #playercare