The Grassroots Football Coach Berks & Bucks FA

To support Mental Health Awareness Week, this special episode of The Grassroots Football Coach features our hosts Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant discussing their own mental health experiences.

The theme of the week this year is anxiety. Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Together on this special episode of the pod, Rivo & Rich talk openly about their own experiences and discuss the impact anxiety can have on individuals.

Rivo & Rich are also joined by BBFA's Youth Network Health & Wellbeing Lead, George Andrews who provides a youth perspective on anxiety and additional pressures which can impact young people's lives. 

Need support? The Samaritans are there to listen 24 hours, 365 days a year. Call free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org

To mark Black History Month 2022, this special episode of The Grassroots Football Coach is dedicated to celebrating Black History Month. 

Black History Month is a national celebration which aims to promote and celebrate achievements by Black people and their contributions to the British society. 

First celebrated in this 1987, this year marks the 35th anniversary with this years theme being; "Time for Change: Action Not Words". 

On the pod, Rivo & Rich talk about Black History Month with Rivo sharing his journey and passion for change. We will also hear from previous guests including Mikele Leigertwood, Paul Davis, Michael Gilkes & Emmerson Boyce celebrating their successes including league title wins and FA Cup victories.

To mark World Mental Health Day 2022, this special episode of The Grassroots Football Coach listens back at clips from our previous Mental Health episodes.

On the pod, we hear from Jason McMahon, Manisha Tailor MBE, Marvin Sordell, Cara Ostryn, Martin Sinclair & Martin McCloskey who all shared their own experiences of mental health.

You will also hear about Berks & Bucks FA's "Pedal to the Metal" challenge to raise awareness of mental health and funds for our new charity partner, Sport in Mind. The team at BBFA are cycling 185 miles in 12 hours. The number is significant because last year, the office of national statistics registered 185 suicide deaths across local authorities in our region.

Sport in Mind is the UK's leading mental health sports charity. Their mission is to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport & physical activity. 

To date, they have supported the recovery of over 15,000 people through their physical activity programmes, and the money you raise will help support them to reach more people and provide more programmes for adults and children across our region and beyond.

To show your support and donate to Sport in Mind, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bbfa-sim

To find out more about Sport in Mind, please follow them on social media via @sportinmind or visit their website www.sportinmind.org for more information and support.

Caution Advised - This episode contains sensitive material, with references to bereavement, which some listeners may find difficult to listen to.

Need support? The Samaritans are there to listen 24 hours, 365 days a year. Call free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org

Music and post-production by Darren Fellerdale.

In the final episode of Series 6, Rivo & Rich week caught up with recently qualified UEFA B coach, Sukh Hunjan.

On the pod, Sukh takes us on a journey from his playing days to the present day and his role as a Coach. Coinciding with South Asian Heritage month, he also discusses his personal experiences in the game, the barriers he has faced, his current role models in the game and what support is available.

Sukh also shares his positive experiences with Coaches throughout his journey and why these encounters led him on a path into coaching alongside teaching.

Plus, to celebrate the Lionesses' superb victory in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 we spend time discussing what this incredible achievement means, not just for Women’s football, but for sport in general - there's also pre-match thoughts from fans and wild celebrations following the final whistle, live from Wembley Stadium!

For more information about grassroots football coaching in Berks & Bucks and the recently launched BBFA Coaches Network, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/coaches.

Music and post-production by Darren Fellerdale.

This week, marking the 50th episode of the podcast, Rivo & Rich caught up with West Ham United legend, Tony Carr MBE.

In this episode, Tony shares his journey in the beautiful game. From his early playing days (which were cut short by injury) to turning his attention to coaching. Tony provides a fantastic insight into an incredible 43-year career at the same Club and gives us a fascinating in-depth look into the famous 'West Ham Way'.

He also shares some brilliant stories of players he has helped through the years including, Paul Ince, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Mark Noble and Declan Rice.  All who have gone on to have fabulous careers at the top level.

Tony also talks about his new book 'Tony Carr; A Lifetime in Football at West Ham United' and we find out if Rivo can recover from his first L in this week’s quiz!

For more information about grassroots football coaching in Berks & Bucks and the recently launched BBFA Coaches Network, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/coaches.

Music and post-production by Darren Fellerdale.

This week, Rivo & Rich caught up with Maidenhead Utd First Team coach, Aaron O’Brien.

In this episode, Aaron shares his journey from his early experiences playing to the present day where he is coaching at his hometown club. He also offers great insight into the weekly routine of a National League Club match analysis, match preparation and much more!

Aaron also talks about the difference between National League and grassroots football and how much importance and pressure there is to compete with fully professional sides. Aaron also shares his day job and the development of the academy.

There's also talk of Leeds Utd, Ryan Reynolds, and Rob McElhenney & we find out if Rivo can continue his undefeated streak in this week’s quiz!

For more information about grassroots football coaching in Berks & Bucks and the recently launched BBFA Coaches Network, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/coaches.

Music and post-production by Darren Fellerdale.