In this episode, Riki gets to chat to with L. David Marquet, former submarine captain of the USS Santa Fe and renowned author of Turn the Ship Around!. David shares his unique insights on leadership, drawing from his experience turning a struggling crew into one of the best-performing teams in the Navy.  Key topics include:  Driving for Excellence: How leaders can set high standards and inspire teams to continuously improve.  Thinking and Action: The importance of aligning thought with...

We're dipping into the archives for some of our most iconic chats. This week we revisit the 2023 sit down with former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen.

We're dipping into the archives for some of our most iconic chats. This week we revisit the 2023 sit down with Performance Coach, Owen Eastwood.

We're dipping into the archives for some of out most iconic chats. This week we revisit the 2023 sit down with Robbie Deans

We're dipping into the archives for some of our most iconic chats. This episode we revisit the 2023 sit down with Sir Wayne Smith.

Nathan Wallis is a father of three & foster parent with a professional background in child counselling, teaching and social service management. He lectured in Human Development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand and was also a board member and senior trainer with the national body responsible for the dissemination of neuroscientific research to professionals. He has developed a reputation as a lively and engaging speaker who uses humour and plain language to make...

In this episode, Riki chats with Associate Professor and coach developer Ian Renshaw. Ian's pioneering work on constraints-based coaching is helping coaches create engaging, effective, and transferable training sessions. Discover how manipulating constraints can enhance skill development, foster creativity, and improve performance in real-game scenarios. Tune in to learn practical strategies for implementing this innovative approach in your coaching practice. 

In this enlightening episode, Riki sits down with Glenn Fyall, a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury to delve into the core of what coaching truly is. Glenn shares his expertise on how adopting a reflective approach and fostering a learning mindset can transform not just your individual performance as a coach but also elevate team dynamics success.

It’s not every day that you get to hear how New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby Franchises work. In this Ep Riki spends time with Crusaders Team Manager Shane Fletcher. Sharing his insights into what keeps the Crusaders wheels in motion, he's the man behind the team keeping things well oiled. You’ll hear how important it is to know your people and how they work, but also how having trademarks that represent your team can inspire a new level of standards. 

If you're reading this, you're already committed to professional development and understand its importance. But how far are you willing to stretch yourself to grow? In this episode, Riki sits down with his good friend Ross Doneghan, Head Coach of the Richmond Women's team in London. Ross has travelled all the way to Christchurch to attend the Crusaders International Academy for coaches and learn from New Zealand's most successful Super Rugby franchise. With an insatiable appetite for...

Coaching can be frustrating, especially when dealing with challenging players. In this episode, Riki chats with Rolleston Principal and E Tū Tāngata ambassador, Simon Moriarty, about transforming your most difficult players into your biggest champions. Simon, who navigates the unpredictable world of children and adults daily, shares practical examples and strategies from his extensive experience. Discover how to turn disruptive players into positive influences, ensuring a better...

What are you doing to ensure your players return year after year? If you're struggling to come up with fresh ideas, this episode will help clear the brain fog! Join Riki as he talks with GE Medical Industrial Designer Doug Dietz, a world leader in design thinking. Doug's innovative approach keeps the user at the forefront of his designs, leading to children eagerly asking their parents for another turn in his MRI machines. If exploring design thinking sounds like the key to revitalising...

Are you an ambitious coach eager to learn the secrets of high-performance coaching? Join Riki as he sits down with esteemed High Performance Coach Developer, Richard (RJ) Smith. With over 20 years of experience, RJ shares invaluable insights and wisdom from his extensive career. Listen in as he recounts his journey working with elite coaches in rugby and the Olympics, and his consultancy with some of New Zealand's largest companies. Don't miss this episode filled with rich stories and...

This week Riki spends time with legendary netball coach, Leigh Gibbs. Leigh shares her years of experience on how having the mindset of ‘they're not your players’ will help grow your self-awareness so you can focus on developing your players as people and not just athletes.    Leigh leads Netball New Zealand’s as Community Coaching Manager and with her combined international coaching experience her insight is truly valuable to all coaches and her stories will help you find ways to apply...

For a delightful twist, Riki teams up with two remarkable individuals: Kyle Mclean, Director and Creator of the IntaSport App, and Jay Carter from New Zealand Golf. These two gentlemen are not only hosts of their own phenomenal podcasts but also esteemed figures in their respective fields. In this engaging conversation, the trio shares their recent musings and curiosities, offering listeners a candid glimpse into their worlds. Join us for a casual yet captivating chat as three blokes...

In a dynamic sport like Rugby, team cohesion is paramount. Join Riki in an insightful conversation with researcher and international hockey coach, Pam Richards. Pam's expertise extends beyond coaching skill; her research delves into the intricacies of decision-making and the development of mental models to foster synchronicity within teams. This episode offers a window into Pam's groundbreaking work, providing valuable insights and practical advice for enhancing team performance. Don't...

In this episode Riki explores behaviour driven coaching to help inspire players/ athletes to be long time learners and lovers of their sports.  Wayne Goldsmith is a renowned figure in the realm of coaching and coach development, celebrated for his transformative impact on the sporting world. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Goldsmith has emerged as a sought-after authority, guiding coaches towards excellence and athletes to unparalleled success.  As a distinguished...

For many of us, coaching is a labour of love—a fusion of our passion for sports and our desire to work with people. In this enlightening episode, Riki engages in a heartfelt conversation with John O'Sullivan, the CEO and Founder of Changing the Game Project. John's profound dedication to youth sports shines through as we explore the pivotal question: How do we maintain the joy in youth sports and become the kind of coach who leaves a lasting, positive impact on those we mentor? Join us...

This week, Riki engages in a captivating conversation with the recently appointed Los Pumas Coach, Brad Mooar. Brad opens up about his coaching philosophy, revealing how it shapes his identity both personally and professionally. Join us as he shares his insights on transitioning from coaching clubs to coaching at the National level. 

Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey in this week's episode as Riki hops aboard his magical school bus to chat with Professor Cliff Abraham from Otago University. Together, they explore the intriguing question: Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Professor Abraham, with his profound expertise in the neural mechanisms of memory, sheds light on this age-old query. As a pioneer in neuroscience research and education at the University of Otago, Professor Abraham's insights are...

Get ready to kick off the season of pods with an electrifying start! In this week's episode, Riki is joined by none other than Aaron Webb, the Academy Manager of the Crusaders.      Riki delves deep into the inner workings of the Crusaders academy, uncovering the secrets behind their phenomenal success. Prepare to be astonished as Aaron spills the beans on the academy's winning strategies and strengths that have propelled them to the top. This episode promises to be a game-changer, offering...

Riki is joined by Coaches Corner producer and Canterbury Rugby's Communications Executive Josh Bamber to celebrate 50 episodes of the Coaches Corner podcast! The boys talk their favourite episodes and potential future guests, as well as diving into the world of refereeing, with Josh a Premier Referee here in Canterbury.

Today’s Coaches Corner episode is a little bit different to our usual programming, as Riki talks to Canterbury Rugby's Game Developer's Craig Mullan, Emma Dermody and Nathan Brown in a general conversation about coaching, following the delivery of the World Rugby Level 2 Developing Rugby Coaches course two weeks ago. Disclaimer: some of today's audio may sound a little distorted due to issues in the recording!

This week we explore the fascinating intersection of language, psychology, and sports coaching and in this special episode, we're diving deep into the world of sociolinguistics with renowned researcher Dr. Nick Wilson.   Dr. Wilson has dedicated his career to unravelling the intricate ways words and language shape our perceptions and behaviours, and today, we'll uncover the profound implications of this in the realm of coaching.    We'll discuss how the words coaches choose can be a...