Podcasts have become and remain to be a fantastic way of reaching wider audiences in a variety of ways. I personally subscribe to a number of shows across several platforms, including Spotify, iTunes and the podcast application on my smartphone, so that I can listen whilst on the move, or in the comfort in my own home. Here, I am able to keep up to date with news and relevant information from my favourite sports, as well as learning about some historical elements as a part of my education in the games. In this article I’ll walk you through some of my favourites…
The Reverse Stick – Global Hockey Podcast
This is a weekly podcast, that is recorded out of Perth, Western Australia. The two co-hosts, John Lee and Englishman Matt Allan, discuss a wide range of topics from elite level tournament hockey, to their experiences playing for their local club, as well as all of the latest talking points from around the world. The show has become fairly well known within the community recently and have started to contribute to other podcasts on this list, such as Push Pass Pundits and Not the Footy Show.
Push Pass Pundits
A relatively new podcast, this show is dedicated to all of the latest news and culture around Indian hockey. The pundits themselves are taken from the Indian sports media and provide interesting insights into what is happening over in Asia. Production is helped out with by the guys at The Reverse Stick, but the focus is absolutely on the locals with the information.
Talk Hockey Radio
This show is the podcast put on by sports news website The Hockey Family and is produced by Taff Ahmed. However, it is done as a tribute to the late journalist and broadcaster Peter Savage, who had initially set it up. Initially set up as a monthly show, it has taken a hiatus recently, but I have it on good authority that it will be back with a bang very soon.
Hockey Development Talk
Another hockey podcast, this one is put on by Gary Johnson, a very knowledgeable player, coach and educator who hails from Lincolnshire, in England. Each show discusses a different topic on how the game is developed and talks with a variety of people that have had experiences in the relevant area. An interesting listen for those who want to learn about the effects sport can have on a local community and the people volunteering and working professionally within the industry.
Not the Footy Show
Ashley Morrison is a sports journalist, commentator and broadcaster. He is known as one of the voices of hockey, but has worked on a variety of sports across the world. Originally from England, he now resides in Perth, Western AustraliaHis podcast, Not the Footy Show, aims to promote sports that have been ignored by the mainstream media. If you are a fan of all things sporty, then this could be for you.
Bunce’s Tales of the Extraordinary
A fun and fascinating show, broadcast by BBC Radio 5 Live, it is sadly no longer producing new episodes. However, for those who are interested, the podcast is still available on all good platforms and can be enjoyed by all… The format is quite simple; a journalist sits and tells his producer about his latest extraordinary tale that he has found from the world of sport and the wider world. They are cool stories, that deserve more attention. If your mates are getting bored of your older pub stories, then listen to this for something fresh to impress people with.
Linekar and Baker – Behind Closed Doors
Gary Lineker, a former England football captain, and Danny Baker, a well known journalist and broadcaster with several years experience in the sports and music industry, sit down in the kitchen of the aforementioned co-host. Here they take questions from the public and tells stories about their careers and experiences in the world of football. Off the back of the success of the show, they have subsequently gone on tour with this concept and have even recently released a book together.
Life Times – Sports Stars Get Personal
Produced by the Times newspaper, the show is hosted by varying members of their sports writing team. There has been feature length interviews from a number of athletes, coaches and sports personnel, including the cricketer Johnathan Trott, footballer Fran Kirby, plus the boxer and Olympic Gold Medalist Nicola Adams. The insights into the world of sport are intriguing, but also are the wider conversations about life and society.
Sport and the British
Clare Balding presents this historical look back at how sport has developed across Great Britain and, in one episode, how the GAA grow in Ireland. A fascinating and important series, initially aired in the first half of 2012, by BBC Radio 4, in the build up to the London Olympics. Definitely worth a listen… Topics include Olympism, women’s football, rugby, professionalism and amateurism and uses expert opinion to help to inform the listener on what has happened these British pastimes over the years.
That Peter Crouch Podcast
Another show that has been put on by BBC Radio 5 Live. It features two journalists, chatting to Peter Crouch about his experiences of being a professional footballer at club and international level. The style of conversation between the three co-hosts comes across as friendly and of the style of banter that can be found in a changing room, which makes for quite fun listening.