Almost Pro Podcast

Almost Pro
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What happens when the dream of going pro doesn’t go to plan? Almost Pro is a weekly sport podcast sharing the untold stories of past athletes whose careers fell outside the traditional definition of “pro” — where money and fame are attached — alongside the coaches and experts who shaped their journey. Hosted by Laura & Frances, each episode blends raw storytelling, expert insight, and lived experience to unpack what it really means to navigate sport on and off the field. Almost Pro is a sport community built for everyone who knows the story isn’t in the title — it’s in the journey.

  1. 4d ago

    Football Queensland: The Future Of Sportsmanship | Jordie Gerbes

    Last week on Almost Pro Bites, we asked a big question: Is Unsportsmanlike Behaviour Sport's Biggest Opponent? We explored whether winning has started to come at the expense of sportsmanship, discussing declining respect for officials, poor sideline behaviour, and whether we're losing sight of the values that make community sport special. The response was overwhelming. We heard from coaches, committee members, parents, players and officials. Some agreed completely, while others challenged parts of the conversation. But almost everyone agreed on one thing: We all want community sport to be somewhere people actually want to be. So rather than just talking about the problem, we wanted to speak with someone working every day to help solve it. Joining us is Jordie Gerbes, General Manager at Football Queensland, to discuss what they're seeing across grassroots football, why respect for officials matters, and the initiatives they're implementing to build a stronger sporting culture. In this episode we discuss: The reality of officiating in community football Football Queensland's Protect Our Game initiative Recruiting and retaining referees The role parents, coaches and spectators play in shaping culture Why clubs need to embrace officials as part of their community What the future of sportsmanship could look like One message stood out throughout this conversation: The future of sportsmanship doesn't belong to one organisation. It belongs to all of us. Whether you're a player, coach, parent, volunteer or official, this episode is a reminder that every interaction helps shape the sporting experience for someone else. Football Queensland Resources Protect Our Gamehttps://footballqueensland.com.au/protect-our-game/Football Queensland Club Referee Modelhttps://footballqueensland.com.au/2026/06/02/football-queensland-launches-new-club-referee-module-and-framework-to-transform-officiating-in-queensland/Football Queensland Referee Strategyhttps://footballqueensland.com.au/2025/12/11/football-queensland-to-roll-out-10-point-transformational-plan-delivering-generational-reforms-and-record-investment-to-queensland-match-officials/Football Queenslandhttps://footballqueensland.com.au/ 🎙️ Want to be a guest on Almost Pro? We'd love to hear your story. 📧 hello@almostpropodcast.com🌐 www.almostpropodcast.com Follow Almost Pro: Instagram & Facebook: @almostpropodcast LinkedIn: Almost Pro Podcast

  2. Jul 14

    Is Unsportsmanlike Behaviour Sport's Biggest Opponent? | AP Bites

    Has winning started to come at the expense of sportsmanship? From referee abuse and sideline behaviour to taunting, social media and athlete burnout, it feels like something has shifted in sport. Across the world, sporting organisations are reporting shortages of referees and officials. Parents and coaches are becoming increasingly vocal from the sidelines. And leagues are introducing tougher penalties to protect the integrity of competition. So, is unsportsmanlike behaviour becoming one of the biggest challenges facing modern sport? In this episode of Almost Pro Bites, we explore: ▪️ The global referee shortage and why it's happening ▪️ The pressure and professionalisation of youth sport ▪️ How parents and coaches shape sporting culture ▪️ The influence of social media on athlete behaviour ▪️ The difference between confidence and disrespect ▪️ Why sportsmanship is about much more than simply "being nice" ▪️ Practical ways clubs, parents, coaches and athletes can help protect the future of sport Whether you're an athlete, coach, official, parent or passionate sports fan, this episode asks an important question: What kind of sporting culture are we creating for the next generation? 💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think unsportsmanlike behaviour is becoming a bigger problem in sport, or has every generation felt this way? 📲 Connect with Almost Pro Instagram: @almostpropodcast LinkedIn: Almost Pro Podcast 🌐 www.almostpropodcast.com 📧 hello@almostpropodcast.com 🎙️ Have a story from the world of sport? We're always looking for athletes, coaches, officials and people with unique stories or perspectives from the world of sport. If you'd like to be a guest on Almost Pro—or know someone who would—get in touch via our website, email or social media. We'd love to hear from you.

  3. Jul 6

    Modern Sport: Competition Or Entertainment? | AP Bites

    Modern Sport: Competition or Entertainment? Attention is the new currency. Modern sport isn't just competing against other sports anymore - it's competing for our time. Against Netflix. YouTube. TikTok. Gaming. Every notification on our phones. So has something fundamental changed? In this episode of Almost Pro Bites, we explore whether modern sport is shifting from competition towards entertainment, and what that means for athletes, fans, broadcasters and the future of sport. From rule changes and halftime shows to billion-dollar broadcast deals, social media and commercialisation, we ask one simple question: When you watch modern sport, are you watching the purest competition... or the best version of a television show? 💭 We'd love to hear your thoughts! If you enjoyed this episode make sure to share it with another sports fan, and join the conversation with us. 🌐 Website: www.almostpropodcast.com 📱 Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @almostpropodcast 💼 LinkedIn: Almost Pro Podcast

    Modern Sport: Competition Or Entertainment? | AP Bites

  4. Jun 26

    From Chasing MLB Dreams To Blue Jays Player Development | Joe Sclafani

    After a standout collegiate baseball career at Dartmouth, Joe Sclafani was drafted by the Houston Astros and spent six seasons climbing through professional baseball - reaching Triple-A, earning an invitation to Major League Spring Training, and representing Team USA on the international stage. Today, Joe is the Director of Player Development for the Toronto Blue Jays, helping athletes maximize their potential while leading one of the most complex player development systems in professional baseball. In this episode, Joe takes us behind the scenes of elite baseball to explore what it really takes to develop athletes, build high-performance environments, and make some of the toughest decisions in sport. We discuss leadership, transparency, the realities of life in the Minor Leagues, transitioning out of a playing career, and why "making it" means far more than simply reaching the Major Leagues. Whether you're an athlete, coach, leader, or simply passionate about sport, this conversation is filled with honest insights into performance, resilience, and helping people reach their full potential.

  5. Jun 20

    Is Technology Making Sport Better... Or Breaking It?

    Technology has changed sport forever. Goals are reviewed. Offside lines are measured down to the millimeter. Athletes train using more data than ever before. Sport is arguably more accurate than it's ever been. But is that automatically better? In this episode of AP Bites, Laura and Frances explore one of the biggest debates in modern sport: has technology improved sport, or is it changing what makes sport special in the first place? From VAR and goal-line technology to athlete performance tracking and the commercial realities driving innovation, we discuss the trade-off between accuracy, emotion, and the fan experience. 🎙️ What piece of sports technology would you keep forever? And what do you think has gone too far? 💙🧡 New to Almost Pro? Almost Pro is a sports podcast exploring the untold stories of athletes who came close to the professional level and the industry experts who help shape sporting careers. Follow the show so you never miss an episode. 🎙️ Interested in being a guest on Almost Pro? We're always looking to connect with former athletes, coaches, sport industry professionals, and people with unique stories from the world of sport. Email us at: hello@almostpropodcast.com 🌐 www.almostpropodcast.com📸 Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @almostpropodcast

    Is Technology Making Sport Better... Or Breaking It?

  6. Jun 12

    Olympic Gold And What Comes Next | Rosie Popa

    🥇 Olympic Gold & What Comes Next A lemon farm in Chile probably isn't where you'd expect an Olympic Gold Medal story to go. But for Rosie Popa, that chapter may have been just as important as standing on top of the podium in Tokyo. From missing the Rio Olympics to winning Gold, studying at Berkeley and Oxford, and navigating life beyond elite sport, Rosie shares a refreshingly honest perspective on ambition, external validation, identity, and the pressure that can come with chasing big goals. Together, we explore performance anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, fulfillment, self-leadership, and the lessons Rosie learned through both success and disappointment. We also discuss what it means to redefine success, build a meaningful life beyond achievement, and why sometimes the most important growth happens away from the podium. Follow Rosie:Website: www.rosiepopa.com Follow Almost Pro:Website: www.almostpropodcast.comInstagram: @almostpropodcast LinkedIn: Almost Pro Podcast

  7. Jun 5

    Do Sport Heat Policies Need To Change? | AP Bites

    This week at the French Open, players battled temperatures in the low 30s°C, with several openly discussing the impact of the heat. One player even left the court in a wheelchair after suffering severe cramps following a five-set match. As temperatures continue to rise around the world, we're asking a simple but increasingly important question: Do sport heat policies need to change? In this episode of Almost Pro Bites, Laura and Frances discuss the difference between uncomfortable and unsafe conditions, how extreme heat impacts athlete performance and welfare, and whether sporting organisations may need to rethink how sport is scheduled and delivered in the future. Is competing in difficult conditions simply part of sport? Or are some of our expectations around heat no longer fit for purpose? Let us know what you think. 🌐 Website: https://www.almostpropodcast.com Follow Almost Pro: Instagram: @almostpropodcastTikTok: @almostpropodcastFacebook: Almost Pro PodcastLinkedIn: Almost Pro Podcast

    Do Sport Heat Policies Need To Change? | AP Bites

  8. May 29

    Pro Baseball, The Yips, & Getting Out Of Your Own Head. | Andy Bass

    What happens when your body suddenly stops doing the thing it's always done? Andy Bass was drafted into professional baseball and living the dream he'd worked toward his entire life. Then, in his very first professional outing, he developed the yips.What followed wasn't a physical injury or technical problem. It was a loss of trust in his own body. In this episode, Andy shares his journey through professional baseball, imposter syndrome, identity, overthinking, performance anxiety, and the psychological challenges that nearly ended his career before it had truly begun. Now working at the highest level of the game, Andy helps athletes navigate the mental side of performance. A powerful conversation about the yips, athlete identity, pressure, purpose, and the science of getting out of your own head. Discover more from Almost Pro: www.almostpropodcast.com Instagram: @almostpropodcastTikTok: @almostpropodcastLinkedIn: Almost Pro Podcast

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About

What happens when the dream of going pro doesn’t go to plan? Almost Pro is a weekly sport podcast sharing the untold stories of past athletes whose careers fell outside the traditional definition of “pro” — where money and fame are attached — alongside the coaches and experts who shaped their journey. Hosted by Laura & Frances, each episode blends raw storytelling, expert insight, and lived experience to unpack what it really means to navigate sport on and off the field. Almost Pro is a sport community built for everyone who knows the story isn’t in the title — it’s in the journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Almost Pro
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Almost Pro
  • Show Website
    Almost Pro Podcast