The First Seven Years - Footy Nippers

Episode 7 – The Movement Crisis Facing Children Today (with Nick Clement)

Welcome to Episode 7 of The First Seven Years — by Footy Nippers, the show where we explore movement, culture, coaching, confidence and child development during the most important stage of life: the first seven years. In this episode, Jimmy Farquhar is joined by Nick Clement — a world leading child movement expert working closely with children across education and activity-based programmes — to explore a growing and urgent issue in early childhood development: the movement crisis facing children today. They unpack what’s really happening with kids right now — and why it’s impacting far more than just physical ability. * Why children are showing reduced coordination and stamina * Why confidence and behaviour are being affected * And why movement is not just important… it’s fundamental to how children learn, feel and develop This conversation dives into the deeper role movement plays in brain development, emotional regulation and overall wellbeing — and what happens when it’s missing. In this episode, you’ll hear: * What the “movement crisis” actually looks like in young children today * Why movement is critical for brain development, focus and behaviour * How sedentary lifestyles are impacting confidence and coordination * The role of schools, screens and modern life in reducing movement * Simple, practical ways to get children moving again * Why fun and play are the foundation of long-term engagement * How movement builds resilience, awareness and confidence At Footy Nippers, we believe movement isn’t just physical — it’s foundational to emotional, social and cognitive development. When kids move well, they feel better. When they feel better, they learn better. This episode is for parents, coaches, retiring players, educators and anyone passionate about helping young children thrive. ABOUT FOOTY NIPPERS Footy Nippers is an early childhood movement and cultural education programme for children aged 18 months to 7 years old — combining Māori storytelling with ball-in-hand play to develop confident, coordinated and connected kids. We empower: * Kids — building confidence, coordination and social skills * Parents — with tools to support movement and play at home * Franchise Owners — to build meaningful businesses that impact their communities Interested in owning a Footy Nippers franchise? If you’re looking for meaningful work, a rewarding lifestyle, and the opportunity to positively shape children’s futures in your region — we’d love to talk. Enquire today about bringing Footy Nippers to your city.

Episode 6 - The Role of Story Telling & Culture

Welcome to Episode 6 of The First Seven Years - by Footy Nippers, the show where we explore movement, culture, coaching, confidence and child development during the most important stage of life: the first seven years. In this episode, Jimmy Farquhar and Troy Nathan explore one of the most powerful and often overlooked- tools in early childhood development: storytelling and culture. They unpack why children don’t just learn through instruction… they learn through meaning. Why stories stick longer than drills. Why values must come before technique. And why culture isn’t an “add-on” — it’s the foundation of how kids feel, connect and grow. This conversation dives into how storytelling shapes identity, builds belonging, and creates emotionally safe environments where children can truly thrive. In this episode, you’ll hear: * Why stories create deeper learning and stronger memory retention * How children see themselves through narrative and imagination * Why behaviour and values should come before technical skill * How Māori storytelling influences teaching, connection and respect * The role of belonging in building confidence and engagement * Why culture creates emotional safety for young children * How shared language, rituals and identity unlock better learning At Footy Nippers, we believe development isn’t just physical - it’s emotional, social and cultural. When kids feel safe, seen and connected, learning accelerates. This episode is for parents, coaches, retiring players,educators and anyone passionate about helping young children thrive. ABOUT FOOTY NIPPERS Footy Nippers is an early childhood movement and cultural education programme for children aged 18 months to 7 years old — combining Māori storytelling with ball-in-hand play to develop confident, coordinated and connected kids. We empower: * Kids - building confidence, coordination and social skills * Parents - with tools to support movement and play at home * Franchise Owners - to build meaningful businesses that impact their communities Interested in owning a Footy Nippers franchise? If you’re looking for meaningful work, a rewarding lifestyle, and the opportunity to positively shape children’s futures in your region - we’d love to talk. Enquire today about bringing Footy Nippers to your city.

Episode 5 - The Hidden Cost of Getting Early Years Sport Wrong

Welcome to Episode 5 of The First Seven Years - the show where we explore movement, culture, coaching, confidence and child development during the most important stage of life: The First Seven Years. In this episode, Jimmy Farquhar and Troy Nathan unpack "The hidden cost of getting early years sport wrong". They explore how dropout doesn’t happen overnight, how negative early experiences quietly stack up, and why many children disengage emotionally long before they ever quit physically. You’ll hear: ✔ Why early dropout starts much earlier than we think ✔ How “I’m not sporty” narratives are formed in childhood ✔ Why comparison and public failure moments stick ✔ What “over-coached and under-loved” looks like in early sport ✔ How systems prioritising performance over belonging push kids away ✔ Why early specialisation increases burnout and long-term dropout ✔ The powerful link between early participation and lifelong activity ✔ The long-term emotional cost when early sport goes wrong Research consistently shows that children who regularly participate in sport between ages 3–12 are up to 2–3 times more likely to remain active as adults. This isn’t about blame - it’s about awareness. Because when we get early experiences right, we don’t just build better athletes - we build healthier humans for life. Whether you’re a parent, athlete, coach, educator, or someone passionate about helping kids thrive, this episode will change how you think about early sport and long-term participation. ABOUT FOOTY NIPPERS Footy Nippers is an early childhood sports and cultural education program for children aged 18 months to 7 years old, combining Māori storytelling with rugby-based play to support children’s physical, social and emotional development. 👉 INTERESTED IN OWNING A FOOTY NIPPERS FRANCHISE? If you want meaningful work, your own business, a source of strong income, a highly rewarding lifestyle and the chance to positively shape children’s futures in your region, we’d love to talk. Enquire today about bringing Footy Nippers to your city.

Episode 4 - Why Confidence Comes Before Competence With Kids

Welcome to Episode 4 of The First Seven Years - the show where we explore movement, culture, coaching, confidence and child development during the most important stage of life: The First Seven Years. In this episode, Jimmy Farquhar and Troy Nathan unpack why confidence must come before competence in young children and why getting that order right matters more than most people realise. They explore how children learn emotionally before technically, how fear shuts movement down, and why confidence is the gateway to curiosity, effort and long-term engagement in sport and life. You’ll hear: ✔ Why confidence comes before skill development in young kids ✔ How confident children explore, try more and learn faster ✔ Why fear and judgement shut movement down ✔ The importance of effort over outcomes in early childhood ✔ How safe environments accelerate learning ✔ The long-term impact early confidence has on school, sport and social settings ✔ Why confidence isn’t accidental - it’s designed Whether you’re a parent, athlete, coach, educator, or someone passionate about helping kids thrive, this episode will change how you think about early development. ABOUT FOOTY NIPPERS Footy Nippers is an early childhood sports and cultural education program for children aged 18 months to 7 years old, combining Māori storytelling with rugby-based play to support children’s physical, social and emotional development. 👉 INTERESTED IN OWNING A FOOTY NIPPERS FRANCHISE? If you want meaningful work, your own business, source of high income, a highly rewarding lifestyle and the chance to positively shape children’s futures in your region, we’d love to talk. Enquire today about bringing Footy Nippers to your city.

Episode 3 - Why Ex-Players Make Great Coaches For Kids

Welcome to Episode 3 of The First Seven Years — the show where we unpack movement, culture, coaching, confidence and child development during the most important stage of life: The First Seven Years. In this episode, Jimmy Farquhar and Troy Nathan explore why former athletes often make exceptional coaches for young children. They discuss the athlete mindset, the power of mentorship, and how lived sporting experience helps build confidence, trust, and resilience in the early years. You’ll hear: ✔ Why the athlete mindset translates so well into youth coaching ✔ How ex-players naturally become strong mentors for young kids ✔ The role of discipline and resilience in early childhood development ✔ Why children respond positively to coaches with lived experience ✔ The importance of trust and validation in coaching young athletes ✔ How Footy Nippers supports ex-players transitioning into coaching roles Whether you’re a parent, player, retiring athlete, coach, educator, or someone passionate about youth development, this episode offers valuable insight into why ex-players can have such a powerful impact on children in their early years. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction and Episode Overview 02:15 — The Athlete Mindset and Coaching 05:30 — Mentorship and Youth Development 08:45 — Building Trust and Validation 12:00 — Discipline and Resilience in Coaching 15:15 — The Role of Ex-Players in Youth Sport 18:30 — Transitioning from Player to Coach 21:00 — Conclusion and Future Directions ABOUT FOOTY NIPPERS Footy Nippers is an early childhood sports and cultural education program for children aged 18 months to 7 years old, combining te reo Māori storytelling with rugby-based play to support children’s physical, social and emotional development. 👉 INTERESTED IN OWNING A FOOTY NIPPERS FRANCHISE? If you want meaningful work, a highly rewarding lifestyle, and the chance to positively shape children’s futures in your region, we’d love to talk. Enquire today about bringing Footy Nippers to your city.