Ep.11: Flag Rugby & Grassroots Sports Initiatives

Ep.13: Uncovering Valuable Data in the Pursuit of Evaluation

Maji Shaikh is a doctoral candidate in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. His primary area of research is in exploring positive youth development through sport and recreation. His expertise lies in trauma-sensitive practices, program evaluation, and knowledge translation within the sport context. In this episode, Maji joins Mike to discuss his work with youth sport organizations and community programs. In this, he looks to develop their capacity for evaluation and explores ways to integrate ongoing evaluation practices within the fabric of their programming. Rethinking what constitutes data, Maji provides concrete examples that listeners can take away and apply within their own organizations! [podcast_subscribe id=”484″]

Ep.12: Developing Psychological and Life Skills in Athletes

Kurtis is a Ph.D. candidate and assistant football coach at the University of Alberta. He previously worked with the Edmonton Canadian Football League team in mental skills and sport science. In this episode, he joins Mike to discuss his research in the area of mental health, coaching, and knowledge translation (making research accessible). Kurtis has completed two Mitacs research fellowships. These projects explored psychosocial aspects of professional sport, mental health in the CFL, and mental skills development among NHL players. Listen in as Kurtis shares some of the skills and characteristics that have helped professional athletes succeed in their respective sports! [podcast_subscribe id=”484″]

Ep.11: Flag Rugby & Grassroots Sports Initiatives

Caleb Smith is an elementary school teacher in Niagara Falls and has been instrumental in the development and growth of youth flag rugby in Canada. He helped develop the first intermediate elementary school flag rugby league in North America in 2004 and junior elementary school flag rugby league in North America in 2011. Smith has been honoured by Trent University with their Spirit of Trent leadership award and the city of Niagara Falls awarded Caleb with the George McPhail award for outstanding contributions to recreation in the Niagara Falls region. In this episode, Caleb and Mike talk about sport for all and the importance of grassroots recreational sports initiatives like flag rugby. [podcast_subscribe id=”484″]

Ep.10: Elite ParaSport and Advocacy

Christina Picton is an elite Para-Athlete that has been involved in Para Ice Hockey since 2004, playing at the local, provincial and national levels. She is currently the captain of the Canadian Women’s National Para Ice Hockey Team, was the first female sledge hockey player in Canada to try out for Hockey Canada’s Senior (Men’s) National Para Ice Hockey Team, and in 2019 she began competing in Para-Nordic Sit Skiing and Biathlon. Christina joins Mike to discuss her experiences training and competing at the elite level as well as her work as an advocate for ParaSport around the world! [podcast_subscribe id=”484″]

Ep.9: Transitioning to Pro Rugby

Andrew “Q” Quattrin joins Mike to talk about his experience transitioning to professional rugby. He currently plays for the Toronto Arrows (MLR) and recently represented Team Canada at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Mike and Q discuss the mindset he had during his university rugby career as he set his sights on professional rugby and the decisions that set him up for success. This episode is full of personal stories, motivations, and advice for players, coaches, and any fans of the sport. [podcast_subscribe id=”484″]