
Advertise on podcast: Challenging the Game
This podcast has
31 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Jess BunyardExplicit
No
Date created
2024/02/22
Latest episode
2026/10/05
Average duration
40 min.
Release period
31 days
Description
Coaching within rugby, finding your authentic way of coaching and how to be more player-specific. www.coachcarecreate.com
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Check latest episodes from Challenging the Game podcast
Mental Health and Menstrual Health
2026/10/05
In this episode, Jess is joined by Emma Quinn, a PhD researcher exploring menstruation in elite sport. They discuss menstrual health including endometriosis and PMDD, the mental health impacts and what needs to be done. Expect chats about elite and grassroots sport including recommendations of what to do next.
Please be aware that there are some difficult topics discussed in this episode.
If you want more information or support about any of the topics discussed:
Endometriosis UK
Freedom4Girls
LooseHeadz
State of Mind Sport
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Care, Connection and Coaching in the PWR
2026/09/14
Jess is joined by Kim Oliver, assistant coach and mentor with Trailfinders Women. They chat about showing care and connection with players. They also discuss coaching skill and bringing the fun into environments. Plus Kim shares her experiences coaching Meg Jones and Ruby Tui.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
The coach's guide to sports bras
2026/08/03
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Amelia Doxey, brand manager and sports bra fitter for Boobydoo. They chat about the sports bra education for all ages, what clubs should include in an information pack, support for coaches and their new sports bra advocate course.
The Boobydoo sports bra advocate course is open to all club staff members, coaches, volunteers who are interested in learning more about sports bras to create a better and inclusive environment for the players.
Jess Bunyard is a Affiliate of the Sports Bra course. Sign up to the course via her affiliate link and get 15% off the course. Use the code JES15BAD and click here
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Placing health at the heart of a player's journey
2026/07/06
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Kathryn Meadows, Female Athlete Health Specialist. They chat about the current landscape of teen sport, girls rugby and some of the female health topics that need to be included within practice and system change.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Female coaches, the system, structures and coach development
2026/06/01
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Emily Handyside who is Coaching Team Lead at UK Coaching. They chat about what needs to happen to ensure female coaches thrive, how to recuit and retain female coaches and experiences of coach development.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
"Soft skills", finding opportunities in water breaks and scaffolding challenge
2026/05/04
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Dr Ed Hall who is coach developer, consultant and reseacher. They speak about coach development, including their own experiences, where coaches can find additional opportunities to support and challenge players at training.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Impact, young people and parents
2026/04/13
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Professor Camilla Knight who is Director of Impact, Innovation and Engagement at Greenhouse Sports. They speak about measuring impact in sport, barriers young people face and how coaches can engage and develop better relationships with parents.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Mental health, connection and support
2026/03/02
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Heather Lewis who is Head of Delivery for LooseHeadz. They speak about mental health, how coaches can support themselves and their players, and why connection is important.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Being playful matters
2026/02/02
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Richard Cheetham MBE. They speak about including play in coaching sessions and why it’s important (for recruitment, retention and improving players).
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Podcast Collab: Sisters who Scrum!
2025/12/06
Part of an ongoing collaborations with Holly from Sisters Who Scrum…check out this podcast episode with Holly and Helena, a women’s health physio. They chat about rugby and the pelvic floor. A great podcast for both players and coaches.
Tune in to this incredibly eye-opening and inspiring podcast, where host Holly opens up about her experience of pelvic floor dysfunction whilst playing rugby and the wonderful women’s health physio guest, Helena, shares all her wisdom and expertise on how to care for your pelvic floor during the rugby season!
Check out the other episodes
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Care and respect
2025/12/01
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Ramsey Tomokino who coached Manusina, Samoa women’s team, during the World Cup. Ramsey is now the General Manager High Performance at Lakapi Samoa.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Hormonal research in practice
2025/11/03
In this episode of Challenging the Game, Jess speaks to Bex Attwell. Bex is embedded within Matatū team in New Zealand. Her research explores hormonal changes in players and how menstrual information is power.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Create psychological safety in girls rugby
2025/10/06
In this episode Jess is joined by teacher and coach Dan Lycett. They discuss Dan’s experiences of coaching his daughter’s team including: what ‘detail’ looks like in sessions, being a Dad and a coach and creating a space for players to explore and speak.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women’s rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
Coaching Bestie
2025/09/01
In this episode Jess is joined by coach Andy Stevens. They chat about how they support, check and challenge each other. Plus how they’ve reflected as they’ve developed their coaching
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women's rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
World Cup Hype and Legacy
2025/08/04
In this episode Jess is joined by Alice Soper a hugely passionate women’s rugby advocate and writer. Jess and Alice discuss the 2022 and 2025 World Cups and their legacy.
Subscribe to Coaching Care Creativity, a newsletter and site for coaching, for coaching women's rugby, for coaching with care and creativity
Music: TVARI - Tokyo Cafe
Buy Jess A Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coachcarecreate.com/subscribe
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