INSIGHTS

I had the great pleasure to attend a SwitchthePlay Foundation (STP) team day last week. The charity doesn’t have an office and the ‘Home Team’ and the Associates called ‘TEAMmates’ that work to help performance athletes transition from their sport are spread across the UK. We are all connected because of our commitment to the charitable purpose through our own experiences.

What has being involved in sport and doing physical activity given me and what can it offer others? I haven’t really given time to consider how I personally have benefitted or what I’ve learnt from sport because that’s all in my subconscious.

Renias Mhlongo was an African game tracker who mentored Boyd Varty the author of the book “The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life.” The quote has resonated with me personally and made me also think about its potential application in performance sport.

What a great summer of sport it has been and with more still to come. With great apologies (and huge congratulations) to the England Lionesses on retaining their European crown I’m going to concentrate on the men’s British and Irish Lions rugby and the men’s cricket teams – two sports I love dearly.

I love it when something you feel really passionate about finally comes off – and for me it’s just happened. There’s a new partnership in the high-performance sporting landscape that’s been launched bringing together two charities I care deeply about, and I am delighted that I have been able to play my part. 

The Mental Health Foundation established Mental Health Awareness Week in 2001 to help reduce stigma, raise awareness and promote better mental health for everyone. Each year has a

I have recently been involved in a safeguarding in sport conference organised by Howden, the insurance brokers, who have a significant portfolio

“Ian you are going to have a challenging few weeks ahead – you need something to look forward to; give yourself a break at the end of it.”

I have had the privilege of working with the Manx charity Sport Aid that is responsible for the Talent Pathway of athletes for over 4 years now and all

I have had the privilege of working with the Manx charity Sport Aid that is responsible for the Talent Pathway of athletes for over 4 years now and all

If I had a pound for every time someone says that we all work in tramlines or stovepipes … well I wouldn’t be writing this piece. It happened again

I look at my career as being a jigsaw puzzle that has many pieces to it. Some pieces are more significant than others – working for the Royal Sun

“Back yourself, you know you can swim.” How many times have I said this to people seeking my advice and support? It was my turn to put

I am at a time in my life where there is a significant amount of my career behind me and who knows how much longer to go. I was therefore

This is a story about connection, the real power of sport way – way more than the results on the field of play.

Through DOCIAsport I have had a valued personal and professional relationship with the charity SwitchThePlay Foundation

Last week I wrote an Insight piece for the DOCIAsport website as I was about to go on a digital detox retreat with www.unplugged.rest . Just me

This is the man writing who uses the strapline “Take and give care” and regularly asks the question ‘Who’s looking after the people

And breathe! The Euros are over and the vicarious trauma of watching England has stopped. We can empty the recycling bin of cans, settle the

I’m feeling restless. Maybe it’s the election that’s the cause. I think there’s a sense of inevitability about the outcome and whilst a new government will

In 2021 in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown I hosted a Zoom call from my home in Sussex. At the other end of the country in Wigan,

It is seven years ago this month that I had my mental breakdown. My brilliant counsellor at the time told me she wasn’t surprised that

I first met Dani on a Skype call in late 2013. My first impression of her was here is a broken woman, a shell of who she really is. Her first impression of

“Get out” said my mother at her wits end. “Don’t come back till teatime and, you wait till your dad gets in.” Not the most auspicious

The response to my post last week across the social media platforms I use has been amazing, especially on LinkedIn. The commentary and feedback