Best Bbfa Podcasts (2025)

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Andy Ritchie (Part 2) 1:06:44

Play Pause

6M ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Send us a text Rivo & Rich are back for the final time this season with the 2nd part with Andy Ritchie. Andy talks about the evolution of the game including inverted full backs and the importance of goalkeepers. Andy shares his views on the different coaching methods as well as using the right terminology at the right time to improve game understan…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Andy Ritchie (Part 1) 1:03:27

6M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Send us a text This week Rivo & Rich are joined by Coach Developer, Tutor and Coach, Andy Ritchie. On the pod, Andy talks about his first experiences of football and his love for Coventry City. Andy shares his experiences coaching abroad in USA, China & Germany and the impact it had on him professionally & personally. Andy talks in depth of his tim…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Marcia Lewis 1:01:16

6M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

Send us a text This week Rivo and Rich are joined by CEO & Founder of No1Fan.Club, Marcia Lewis. Marcia provides a parents perspective and shares her own journey over the last decade as the proud mother of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Marcia talks in detail about the creation of No1Fan.Club which was founded to help families navigate the challenges of raisi…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Marley Rivers 53:37

6M ago53:37

53:37

Send us a text This week Rivo & Rich are joined by Rivo's son Marley!! Marley shares his playing experience from U7 all the way to open-age football. Hear what young players enjoy within training sessions and matchdays, the importance of game related practices and importance of developing and having fun over winning. Marley also talks about his asp…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Izzy Heath 1:17:25

6M ago1:17:25

1:17:25

Send us a text Rivo & Rich are back for another episode and are joined by grassroots coach & BBFA's Participation Manager, Izzy Heath! Izzy talks about her early playing experience in mixed-football before venturing into coaching. Hear Izzy's training plan and emphasis on planning and ensuring are delivery and practices are fun. Izzy also talks abo…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Jake Beecher 1:00:59

7M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Send us a text This Rivo & Rich welcome aspiring grassroots coach and social media analyst, Jake Beecher. On the pod, Jake talks about his love and passion for football in particular his home town club, MK Dons. Jake shares his early footballing journey as a player and positive memories of his first coach and how that inspired him to get involved i…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Jo Hawkins 1:12:59

7M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

Send us a text This week, Rivo & Rich are joined by grassroots coach, Jo Hawkins. On the pod, Jo talks about the start of her coaching journey stepping up as a parent at her daughters team which is a path experienced by many grassroots coaches. Jo shares her experiences of coaching qualifications and the importance of Coach Development in particula…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Brian Lackey 1:04:30

7M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Send us a text This week, Rivo & Rich are joined by grassroots coach, Brian Lackey. On the pod, Brian shares his own grassroots journey as a player before being inspired to coach which he has continued over the last 3 decades. Brian talks about his own experiences creating and coaching a local girls team. Brian talks about his roles as Coach, Mento…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Mitch Woodward 1:06:48

7M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back for Series 10 and are joined by Coach Developer, Mitch Woodward. On the pod, Mitch shares his journey including his own playing experiences as a 7 year old to open-aged football. He also talks about his coaching journey which included roles in the US, Wycombe Wanderers Foundation, The FA an…

1
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 Special 1:01:18

8M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

Send us a text Each year, Rivo & Rich release a special podcast to promote and highlight Mental Health Awareness Week and this year it takes place from 12th to 18th May, with the theme of “Community”. This year Rich caught up with Callum Salhotra (BBFA Community & Inclusion Manager) & Dan Rook (Disability & Male Rec Lead) to discuss in more detail …

1
Black History Month Special with Abdoullah Kheir (Part 2) 1:14:07

1y ago1:14:07

1:14:07

Send us a text To mark Black History Month 2024, 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 yea…

1
Black History Month Special with Abdoullah Kheir (Part 1) 50:30

1y ago50:30

50:30

Send us a text To mark Black History Month 2024, 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 yea…

1
Euro 2024 Special Ep7- Spain victorious as we say thank you Gareth 34:30

1+ y ago34:30

34:30

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On this episode, Rivo & Rich review the final where a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal 4 minu…

1
Euro 2024 Special Ep6- Watkins Wonder Goal Takes England to the Final!! 46:55

1+ y ago46:55

46:55

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On this episode, Rivo, Rich & Marley look back at England's Semi-Final victory vs the Nethe…

1
Euro 2024 Special Ep5- England progress to the Semi's 45:14

1+ y ago45:14

45:14

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On this episode, Rivo & Rich are joined by the returning Marley to look back at England's p…

1
Euro 2024 Special Ep4- England Leave it Late & Quarters are here.... 39:54

1+ y ago39:54

39:54

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On this episode, Rivo & Rich look back at England's late late show vs Slovakia and discuss …

1
Euro 2024 Special Ep3- England top group as Knockouts begin 42:23

1+ y ago42:23

42:23

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On this episode, Rivo & Rich are joined by a special guest as they look back at England's d…

1
Euro 2024 Special Ep2- England Draw with Denmark 30:30

1+ y ago30:30

30:30

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On this episode, Rivo & Rich look back at England's draw with Denmark which keeps the Three…

1
Rivo & Rich meet...Shaka Hislop (Part Two) 53:03

1+ y ago53:03

53:03

Send us a text In this episode, Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are joined by former Reading, Newcastle United & West Ham Utd goalkeeper, Shaka Hislop for the 2nd part of the special. Shaka begins with his first stint at West Ham Utd under Harry Redknapp where he says under Harry's leadership, players like Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard …

1
Euro 2024 Special #1- Tournament Preview 36:20

1+ y ago36:20

36:20

Send us a text Throughout UEFA Euro 2024, Mark "Rivo" Rivers and Richard Brant will be discussing the tournament in Germany, from looking ahead to the festival of football to dissecting and reviewing England's performances as 24 teams bid for European glory. On the eve of the tournament and with Rivo in the States with Arsenal, Rich caught up with …

1
Rivo & Rich meet...Shaka Hislop (Part One) 52:11

1+ y ago52:11

52:11

Send us a text In this episode, Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are joined by former Reading, Newcastle United & West Ham Utd goalkeeper, Shaka Hislop. On the pod, Shaka talks about his early days growing up in Trinidad & Tobago before attending Howard University in the States and studying mechanical engineering. Shaka explains how, when complet…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Arun Brar 1:35:45

1+ y ago1:35:45

1:35:45

Send us a text In this episode, Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are joined by Arun Brar, a grassroots coach from Berks & Bucks FA. On the pod, Arun talks about his early memories of football, how he fell in love with the game and provides insight into his journey and some of the challenges he has faced along the way as coach from a historically …

1
Rivo & Rich meet.... Vicky Farleigh 1:13:07

1+ y ago1:13:07

1:13:07

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 8 of the award-winning podcast and this week they are joined by Vicky Farleigh. On the pod this week, Vicky shares her footballing journey which started out as a player before becoming a coach. Vicky talks about her life changing moment when she contracted meningitis and showing…

1
Rivo & Rich meet.... Mariano Levisman 1:17:27

1+ y ago1:17:27

1:17:27

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 8 of the award-winning podcast and this week they are joined by Mariano Levisman. On the pod this week, Mariano talks about his coaching journey which started attending Berks & Bucks FA Level 2 course in High Wycombe all the way to his role at the time of recording at Granada CF…

1
Rivo & Rich meet...Hans Cook for MH Awareness Week 2024 1:21:37

1+ y ago1:21:37

1:21:37

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 8 of the award-winning podcast and this week they are joined by Berks & Bucks FA's Business Support Administrator, Hans Cook. Each year, Rivo & Rich release a special podcast to promote and highlight Mental Health Awareness Week and this year it takes place from 13th to 19th May…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Alex Pratt 1:26:09

2+ y ago1:26:09

1:26:09

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 7 of the award-winning podcast and this week they are joined by Berks & Bucks FA's Football Development Officer, Alex Pratt. On the pod this week, Alex talks about his journey which started playing at U9 and becoming secretary of his local grassroots Club at the age of just 17. …

1
Rich & Alex meet... Chris Berry 1:17:47

2+ y ago1:17:47

1:17:47

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 7 of the award-winning podcast and this weeks guest is FA Coach Developer & Mentor, Chris Berry. This week, Football Development Officer Alex Pratt is guest co-host alongside Rich as Rivo is away on holiday in Portugal. On the pod, Chris shares his journey from his experience st…

1
Rich & Sam meet... Graham Scott 1:26:19

2+ y ago1:26:19

1:26:19

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 7 of the award-winning podcast and this weeks guest is Premier League Referee Graham Scott. This week, Referee Development Officer Sam Myatt leads a Referee Takeover of the podcast in Rivo's absence alongside Rich. On the pod, Graham shares his journey from his playing days as A…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Stephen Jeffery 1:14:26

2+ y ago1:14:26

1:14:26

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 7 of the award-winning podcast and this week they are joined by grassroots coach, Stephen Jeffery. In the episode, Stephen shares his journey from his first memories of playing football and a memory that has stayed with him to his current role as a grassroots coach. Stephen talk…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Vicky Fisher 1:23:43

2+ y ago1:23:43

1:23:43

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 7 of the award-winning podcast and this week they are joined by FA Regional Coach Development Officer, Vicky Fisher. In the episode, Vicky shares her fantastic journey from her first memories of football playing at primary school to her current role at The FA. Vicky talks about …

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Liz Verrall 1:16:14

2+ y ago1:16:14

1:16:14

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 7 of the award-winning podcast and to help them kick off the new season, the duo are joined by Berks & Bucks FA’s Chief Executive Officer, Liz Verrall. In the episode, Liz shares her journey about her first football experience at just 5 years old and how the sport has played a m…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Sir Mo Farah 1:16:25

2+ y ago1:16:25

1:16:25

Send us a text In a special episode of the podcast, Rivo & Rich were joined by one of the greatest British sportsman of all time, Sir Mo Farah. On the pod, Mo takes us on a journey from his first experiences in sports as a child to becoming a 4 time Olympic Gold medallist. Mo shares what it takes to be an elite athlete both physically and mentally …

1
Rivo & Rich meet... for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 1:20:12

2+ y ago1:20:12

1:20:12

Send us a text 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 me…

1
Black History Month Special 2022 1:03:52

3y ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Send us a text 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 yea…

1
World Mental Health Day 2022 Special 1:20:18

3y ago1:20:18

1:20:18

Send us a text 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. …

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Sukh Hunjan 1:09:11

3+ y ago1:09:11

1:09:11

Send us a text 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 ha…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Tony Carr MBE 1:13:40

3+ y ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Send us a text 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 4…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Aaron O’Brien 57:32

3+ y ago57:32

57:32

Send us a text 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 preparati…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Elijah Bada 1:09:57

3+ y ago1:09:57

1:09:57

Send us a text This week, Rivo & Rich catch up with the MK Warriors, UEFA B Licenced Coach, Elijah Bada. In this episode, Elijah shares his journey from growing up in Brixton, South London before moving to Milton Keynes and his first experiences of football. Elijah opens up about his personal experiences which ultimately led to him taking up coachi…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Sarah Davern 1:12:12

3+ y ago1:12:12

1:12:12

Send us a text This week, our dynamic duo, Rivo & Rich caught up with the brilliant, Sarah Davern. In this episode, Sarah shares her fantastic journey in the game. From her first experiences of grassroots football right up to the present day and playing for Ascot United. She talks in detail about her experiences playing mixed football and the diffe…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Grant Downie OBE 1:03:48

3+ y ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 6 of the award-winning podcast. The duo are joined by special guest, Grant Downie OBE, to help them kick off the new season! In this episode, Grant shares his incredible journey from his early days at the NHS all the way to the present day as a Consultant in medical & performanc…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 1:03:26

3+ y ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Send us a text 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 is loneliness, and together, Rivo and Rich talk openly about their own experiences and discuss the impact loneliness…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Per Mertesacker 1:12:43

4y ago1:12:43

1:12:43

Send us a text For this years Christmas Special, Rivo & Rich caught up with Arsenal legend and World Cup Winner Per Mertesacker. On the pod Per opens up about his early experiences in football and what impact his Dad had on his career. Per speaks of taking opportunities presented to him which led to making his debut for Germany at just 20 years old…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Adam Colley 1:01:55

4y ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Send us a text Rivo & Rich caught up with FA Tutor and UK Coaching’s Adam Colley. In this episode, Adam shares his journey from his early playing days and coaching experiences. He talks about his positive attitude and his determination to continue developing as a coach which he believes has led him to the roles he is in today. Adam also talks about…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Ellie Reid 1:05:23

4y ago1:05:23

1:05:23

Send us a text Rivo & Rich caught up with MK Dons SET, Women’s Participation Officer, Ellie Reid. In this episode, Ellie shares her experiences as a young player in grassroots football and reflects on the resilience she has gained as a result. She provides an insight into the journey that has since led her to her current role at MK Dons SET. Ellie …

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Ellen Hopkins 51:03

4y ago51:03

51:03

Send us a text In this episode, Rivo & Rich caught up with Oxford Utd U14 Girls' Head Coach and former colleague, Ellen Hopkins. On the pod, Ellen shares her journey from youth player, to coaching in the USA, and to becoming a UEFA B licenced Coach. She talks fondly of her experience across the pond and reflects on where she is now in her career an…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Jay Lovejoy 50:25

4y ago50:25

50:25

Send us a text Mark ”Rivo” Rivers & Richard Brant are back with Series 5 of The Grassroots Football Coach podcast. This week, Rivo & Rich caught up with local grassroots coach, Jay Lovejoy. In this episode, Jay shares his experiences as a grassroots coach, discussing the importance of the social and psychological on young players plus transferrable…

1
Rivo & Rich meet... Mickey McCloskey for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 1:33:49

4+ y ago1:33:49

1:33:49

Send us a text Mark ”Rivo” Rivers & Richard Brant caught up with Mickey McCloskey for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. Mickey, Plymouth Argyle’s Community Trust Health & Disability Officer, shares his journey from growing up in Glasgow to his life-changing move to Plymouth and the impact his personal experiences of Mental Health had on his life. …

1
Rivo & Rich rewind with... Chris Ramsey MBE 1:09:02

5y ago1:09:02

1:09:02

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we head back to May 2020 when Rivo caught up with QPR Techincal Director Chris Ramsey MBE. On the pod, Chris talks about his playing career before moving into coaching and hea…

1
Rivo & Rich rewind with... Graeme Carrick 1:15:09

5y ago1:15:09

1:15:09

Send us a text Mark 'Rivo' Rivers & Richard Brant revisit some of the best clips, interviews and discussions from a summer packed full of unmissable content. In this episode, we head back to June 2020 when Rich caught up with Graeme Carrick, The FA's National Lead for the Youth Development Phase. On the pod, Graeme talks about his early playing car…