Better Sports Parents
Episodes
Worth Repeating: Ross Gurney on Enjoying Youth Sports for What They Are
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Veteran sports agent and advisor Ross Gurney has helped players like Duncan Keith, Devon Toews, and Zach Benson navigate their way to and through the ...
Chris Pronger:
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Pronger's NHL resume reads like a fairy tale: second overall pick, Stanley Cup champion, two Olympic gold medals, Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, Ho...
Worth Repeating: Will Loftus on the Impact of Coaching
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Will Loftus played more than a decade in the CFL, won two Grey Cups, and is enshrined in the BC Football Hall of Fame for his excellence on the field....
Adam Van Koeverden: The Alignment Issue, Fund Physical Literacy & Canada Wants to Win
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Van Koeverden has paddled over 120,000 kilometres in his lifetime. He's a four-time Olympian, a multiple world champion, and one of the most deco...
Worth Repeating: Steve Kindel on Choosing Multisport in a Sport Specialized System
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Kindel is a former professional soccer player, the Technical Director of a youth soccer club (North Van FC), and the father of NHL forward, Ben ...
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif: Two Worlds of Sport, Lessons from Andy Reid & Build Bigger Funnels
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif contains multitudes. He's a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, a practicing physician in Quebec, a business owne...
Worth Repeating: Cammi Granato on Allowing Your Kids to Navigate Adversity
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato is a pioneer in women's hockey, breaking down barriers on and off the ice. Currently the Assistant General Manager ...
Ryan Huska: Coaching Challenges, Adversity is Vanishing & Why Youth Sports Feels Like a Job
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Huska has seen youth sports from just about every angle. As head coach of the Calgary Flames, he operates at the pinnacle of professional hockey....
Worth Repeating: John O'Sullivan on How to Positively Support Your Child in Sport
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John O’Sullivan, a former professional soccer player and coach, founded of Changing the Game Project to help parents, coaches, and organizations und...
Dr Oliver Finlay: Invest in Coaching, Raising Robots & The Biggest Fallacy in Youth Sports
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Oliver Finlay has seen youth sport from every angle: athlete, physiotherapist, performance director, and global sports investor. In this conversat...
Worth Repeating: Gareth Rees on What to Look for in a Coach
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As a rugby player, Gareth Rees was arguably the most prominent Canadian to represent his country on the world stage and was inducted in to the Interna...
Jason D'Rocha: Age-Appropriate Expectations, Pay Coaches Well & Improving Access Together
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jason D'Rocha didn't plan to spend his career in youth sports. A blown knee in grade 12 ended his dreams of playing university basketball, and what fo...
Worth Repeating: Shane Doan on Playing the Long Game
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Affectionately known as Captain Coyote, Shane Doan played 21 seasons in the NHL and has worked in executive positions with multiple franchises since h...
Lauren Bay Regula: The Elite Oxymoron, The NeverEnding Season & Play Has Become a Job
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lauren Bay-Regula is a three-time Canadian Olympian in softball, and one of the most honest, self-aware voices you'll hear on what it actually looks l...
Worth Repeating: Travis Snider on The Car Ride Home
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Blue Jays' first round draft pick Travis Snider is on a mission to change youth sports. After experiencing the highs of what appeared to be a n...
Farhan Lalji: The Real Color of Sport, Academy Conundrum & Make the Big Time Where You're At
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Farhan Lalji is a very recognizable face and voice in Canadian sports. Since 1997 he's been with TSN, covering everything from the Olympics to the Sta...
Worth Repeating: Andrea Neil on Demanding More of Clubs & Coaches
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Neil is one the greatest players and leaders to ever wear the jersey for Canada's National Women's Soccer team. She played in multiple Women's ...
Aaron Volpatti: From House Hockey to the NHL, Fighting for Your Life & Let Kids Be Kids
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron Volpatti was never supposed to make it. He wasn't drafted. He wasn't a goal scorer. He grew up in Revelstoke, BC, playing house hockey at 14 and...
Worth Repeating: Ray Ferraro on Managing Your Expectations
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ray Ferraro is an 18-year NHL veteran, an award-winning hockey analyst, and the father of four boys. He's also coached young players over multiple dec...
Allison McNeill: Too Much Too Young, What Makes a Great Coach, & We're Pricing People Out
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Allison McNeill is one of the most accomplished figures in Canadian basketball. As a player, she won multiple provincial and national titles before fi...
Worth Repeating: Allison Forsyth on How Harm Escalates in Youth Sports
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Allison Forsyth is a former Olympic skier, a renowned SafeSport expert, and the Chief Sport Officer at Headversity. A survivor of abuse in sport and v...
Dave Hawkshaw: Earning Your NFL Stripes, Retaining Referees & Best Seat in the House
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most conversations about improving youth sports focus on athletes, parents, and coaches. This one looks at the people everyone else seems to forget —...
Worth Repeating: Dr Rick Celebrini on Early Specialization
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Rick Celebrini is the Vice President of Player Health and Performance for the Golden State Warriors and the father of four extremely athletic chil...
Jay DeMerit: Youth Sports Are Upside Down, Mentorship Matters & Develop the Whole Child
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jay DeMerit's path to professional soccer reads like a fairy tale, but he'll be the first to tell you it wasn't supposed to happen the way it did. No ...
Amar Doman: Coaching Your Kid, Commitment to Community & Fighting the Focus on Phones
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Amar Doman didn't make it as a professional athlete, but sport shaped everything about the man, the father, and the business leader he became. In 2021...
Trevor Linden: Youth Sports Arms Race, Travel Tournament Traps & The Affordability Gut Punch
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Trevor Linden played 19 seasons in the NHL, captained the Vancouver Canucks to the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, and performed under the most intense pressu...
Terry McKaig: An Overtraining Crisis, The Parent Guilt Trap & The Benefit of Being Cut
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Terry McKaig built the most successful post-secondary baseball program in Canada's history at UBC, sending players to the MLB draft year after year. B...
Steve Mesler: Falling Means Learning, The Gift of Obsession & Keep Coaching Curious
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler (Vancouver 2010, Bobsled) delivers a nuanced perspective on youth sports that challenges both the "winning is every...
Brendan Morrison: Pyramiding Kids Too Soon, Managing Parent Expectations & Protect Referees
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former NHL star Brendan Morrison (900+ games, West Coast Express) shares hard-earned wisdom from raising four Division I athletes. He challenges the "...
Kim Gaucher: Open the Gyms, Increase Accountability & More Hoops with Less Structure
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A 20-year veteran of Team Canada, Kim Gaucher shares her journey from a high school basketball star to a professional athlete and coach. She discusses...
Geraldine Heaney: Less Time on Ice, Multi-Sport is Missing & Why Kids Need to Watch the Game
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hockey Hall of Famer Geraldine Heaney, who scored the game-winning goal in the first Women's World Championship and won Olympic gold, shares what's br...
Senator Marnie McBean: Incentivize Coaching, More Multi-Sport & Embracing Self-Expression
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and Canadian Senator Marnie McBean joins Better Sports Parents to discuss the crisis facing youth sports in Canada an...
Jesse Marsch: Over-Emphasis on Winning, Community Through Culture & Passion in Youth Sports
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Courtesy of Mas+ by Messi, Jesse Marsch, coach of Canada's National Men's Soccer Team, joins Better Sports Parents to share lessons from his playing c...
Ross Gurney: Elite is a Dangerous Word, Warning Signs to Watch For & Finding Joy in Play
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sports agent and advisor Ross Gurney shares his unique perspective on youth sports from both sides - as a professional who's guided players through le...
Angus Reid: Don't Play the Shame Game, Choose Your Words Wisely & What Are You Normalizing?
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former CFL centre and Grey Cup champion Angus Reid discusses the troubling state of youth sports, the business model destroying accessibility, and wha...
Steve Kindel: The Triple Whammy of Youth Sports, Fears for Tiers & the Social Media Dilemma
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former Canadian national team soccer player Steve Kindel shares invaluable insights on youth sports development through the lens of a player, a parent...
Andrew Ladd: Fun is the Foundation, Relieving Parental Pressure & Real Mental Tools for Kids
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former NHL captain Andrew Ladd opens up about the hard truths facing kids in today’s youth sports system and what parents must change to help their ...
Will Loftus: The Power of Coaching, the Impact of Inclusion & Confidence through Belonging
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Will Loftus didn't start playing football until grade 10, yet he went on to win two Grey Cups and play 11 years in the CFL.In this episode, the BC Foo...
John O'Sullivan: Don't Make the Talent Mistake, Coaching the Coaches & Parent Accountability
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former NCAA Division 1 and professional soccer player John O’Sullivan, founder of Changing the Game Project, joins Scott Rintoul for a powerful and ...
Shane Doan: Raising Resilient Kids, Surviving Social Media & Playing the Right Way
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shane Doan, a former NHL player and current special advisor for the Toronto Maple Leafs, shares his insights on youth sports, parenting, and the impor...
Gareth Rees: Access for All, Culture through Community & What are You Being Sold?
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gareth Rees, a proud Canadian who is a prominent figure in international rugby, discusses the multifaceted nature of youth sports. He emphasizes the i...
Sideline Strategies: Say NO to FOMO
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Fear of Missing Out is a common pitfall in youth sports today. Find out how to spot it and combat it so that you're making the decisions that work...
Travis Snider: The Weight of the Words, Free Play for All & An Elephant on a Pool Cue
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travis Snider, a former Major League Baseball player, discusses his transition from professional sports to advocating for youth sports and the evoluti...
Landon Ferraro: Son of a Gun, Keep the Focus on Fun & I'm Never Doing THIS Again
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Landon Ferraro shares his experiences growing up in a sports-oriented family, the pressures of constant comparison to his famous father, and the impor...
Cammi Granato: Multi-Sport Matters, Find Someone To Check & There's a Time for Pressure
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hockey Hall of Famer Cammi Granato shares her journey from a young girl playing hockey in Chicago to becoming a pioneer in the sport. She discusses th...
Sideline Strategies: Bring Gratitude Not Attitude
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching your child to have respect and gratitude for officials and referees can positively influence your own behaviour towards those officiating you...
Ray Ferraro: Remove the Labels, "I Got It, Dad" & They Don't Owe You Excellence
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ray Ferraro's extensive experience in sports and parenting has provided him with a broad view of youth sports that spans many decades. As a former pro...
Sideline Strategies: Why Does My Child Like to Play Sports?
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the inaugural episode of Sideline Strategies, Scott Rintoul provides a quick and easy way to learn more about your child's interest in specific spo...
Andrea Neil: Reduced to Tiers, Playing with Purpose, and What are Parents Paying for?
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Neil, a Canadian soccer legend, shares her journey from overcoming several physical challenges to becoming a multi-sport athlete and eventually...
Rick Celebrini: Beware of Dead Eyes, Let Your Child Drive & The Risks of Specializing Early
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Rick Celebrini is a former professional soccer player, the Vice President of Player Health and Performance for the Golden State Warriors, and the ...
Jon Montgomery: Don't Get Fear Pressured, Creating Confident Kids & His Multi-Sport Mantra
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jon Montgomery, a gold medalist and host of The Amazing Race Canada, shares his insights on the importance of youth sports in personal development. He...
Allison Forsyth: Demand Safe Sport, The Athlete Identity Crisis & Why are Sports Parents Losing It?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Allison Forsyth, a Canadian Olympian and founder of Generation Safe, discusses her passion for youth sports and the importance of creating safe and po...
Trailer: Better Sports Parents
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to Better Sports Parents, a resource for parents to access perspectives, advice, and tools from world-class performers from across the...