This week Antonio had the pleasure of being joined by Natascia Bernardi. Natascia is the current Girls Academy Manager at Kinetic Foundation, U12 Head Coach for QPR and U16 Assistant coach for London Football Talent Centre. She has been on a journey of her own that started from Bologna, Italy where she was born and fell in love with football. Her experience includes Regional Referee for 12 years in Italy, BA in Psychology at The University of Bologna, an MSc in Sport Psychology at Lund University, Welfare and Educational Liaison for the NFL Academy and Academy Head of Player Care for MK Dons. Passionate about women’s football, coaching for 6 years within the women’s game, Natascia joined Kinetic this summer where she is the Head Coach of their new U16 Girls Academy project at Harris Academy Bromley. Her main aim is to support them in having football as part of their career ambitions. This episode provides amazing insight into supporting elite youth athletes and the importance of growing the person as well as the player. You can follow Natascia's journey on Twitter @NatasciaB_76 and on Linkedin: Natascia Bernardi Talking Points: 1. Intro and welcome to pod (00:00 - 3:24) 2. Natascia's experience in sport growing up (3:24 - 7:30) 3. Pursuing a career in sport (7:30 - 11:56) 4. Cultural differences in supporting players (11:56 - 16:23) 5. Supporting young (American) footballers (16:23 - 30:50) 6. Head of Academy Player Care at MK Dons (30:50 - 47:00) 7. Life skills development support (47:00 - 49:52) 8. The growth of Women's football and Kinetic Academy (49:52 - 59:07) 9. Differences in supporting young female vs male athletes (59:07 - 1:06:01) 10. Barriers teenage girls face with sport participation (1:06:01 - 1:10:05) 11. Advice for young players (1:10:05 - 1:11:10) 12. Closing thoughts (1:11:10 - 1:12:44) 13. Reflection (1:12:44 - End)