Coronavirus has virtually wiped out every sport at every level. But what happens when it comes back? Journalists Kieran Wellington, Kishan Vaghela, Nicola Kenton and Ella Jerman speak to a different guest each episode from inside the world of sport, and get their opinions on how a global pandemic could be the perfect opportunity to enhance and tweak the sport they love.
How have those who have to juggle work alongside their sporting commitments managed over the course of this pandemic? Nicola and Kieran spoke to twins and QPR Women's players Eshe and Afiya Johnson about their careers and why they didn't go down the professional route, but also why that might be all changing for young women in 2020. The girls also discuss mental health in football in the wake of Harry Maguire's red card while on international duty last week, and also what Black History Month means to them.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com (https://www.purple-planet.com/)
3 Oct 2020
Episode 10 - Anna Smith and Black History Month
Kieran and Nicola welcome back Project Restart's first ever guest, GB doubles tennis player Anna Smith, to mark the pod reaching double figures. Novak Djokovic's stupidity, Naomi Osaka's brilliance, Heather Watson's outspoken comments and actually being able to watch some tennis are all on the agenda.
October also marks Black History Month, which leads Kieran and Nicola to discuss why the Black Lives Matter movement has taken centre stage during a time of worldwide crisis.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com (https://www.purple-planet.com/)
5 Sept 2020
Episode 9 - Sharron Davies
The summer of 2020 was meant to welcome one of the biggest and best ever Olympic and Paralympic Games, and yet the reality for swimmers around England is that 25% of pools are still closed, even as lockdown is easing. Olympic silver medallist and Commonwealth champion Sharron Davies talks to Kieran and Nicola about why open and functioning leisure facilities should be a basic human right, why the new International Swimming League might save the sport, and Nicola admits to a shocking truth!
22 Aug 2020
Episode 8 - Sam Roberts
Crouch, bind and set yourselves down for a brand new podcast, this time all about rugby! Kieran Wellington and Nicola Kenton guide you through the last fortnight's sporting action before sitting down with BT Sport commentator Sam Roberts, who discusses just how financially damaging COVID-19 has been for all levels of rugby, which up and coming stars he expects to make Eddie Jones' squad in the autumn, and just how old an average season ticket holder is at a rugby club. Tweet us your responses to our question posed at the end of this podcast to @KieranWelly, @Nicola_Kenton or @samrobertsrugby.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com (https://www.purple-planet.com/)
7 Aug 2020
Episode 7 - Karleigh Osborne & Gab Sutton
The final whistle has blown on the domestic football season in England, after the Premier League and Championship crammed 200 games into six-and-a-half weeks following the decision to suspend the campaign due to COVID-19. Therefore, Project Restart needed more guests than ever before (and its longest episode of all time) to cram in all the talking points surrounding the most bizarre, yet exciting, football season ever. Nicola and Kieran spoke to former Brentford centre-back Karleigh Osborne, who had strong views on football without fans, and Football Lab founder and EFL expert Gab Sutton to dissect the most manic of Football League finales. Topics also covered on the pod were the future of lower-league teams without matchday income, why Harrogate Town should deserve everybody's attention, why we shouldn't be surprised by Frank Lampard's success, and the stats behind Jordan Henderson's player of the year success.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com (https://www.purple-planet.com/)
24 Jul 2020
Episode 6 - Chris Adams
We don't like (bio-secure) cricket, oh no, we love it! Test cricket is back, and we can sit in front of a TV for five days guilt-free, even though lockdown is easing! Kish and Kieran spoke to former Sussex captain and England batsman Chris Adams, who revealed just how important a role the West Indies have had in getting Test cricket back on, just how much of a tightrope cricket walk on financially, and why coronavirus may actually benefit some of English cricket's youngest talents.
3 Jul 2020
Episode 5 - Charlie Fellowes
Wear your top hat and tails while listening to this one - Nicola and Kieran spoke to Newmarket-based horse racing trainer Charlie Fellowes, a double Ascot winner this year, to discuss just what the atmosphere was like in one of the eeriest meetings at the famous racecourse of all time. Charlie also spoke about the mental strain of the sport, and just how damaging the coronavirus pandemic has been for revenues in horse racing - does he think the future of his sport is bright? Listen now to find out.
19 Jun 2020
Episode 4 - Tony Jardine
Lights out, and away we go on another episode of Project Restart! Kieran and Kish discuss the Premier League's resumption before putting on their racing slacks and talking to motorsport legend Tony Jardine. Tony broke into Formula 1 driving trucks for Goodyear before working his way through the ranks and eventually becoming team manager. He has spent years on the inside, promoting the sport he loves, but now - as he explains in the pod - can have a more objective opinion on what F1 needs to do better as it gets ready for a restart of its own at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 5. Tony also discusses why Lewis Hamilton is the perfect flag bearer for the sport, and why F1 needs to embrace its nearest competitor, Formula E, if it is to market itself to a wider audience.
5 Jun 2020
Episode 3 - Clive Tucker
MASHED POTATO! Thankfully, words we may not have to hear on a golf broadcast in the near future as the PGA and European Tours face the prospect of restarting their golfing calendars - with no fans. Kieran and Nicola chatted with renowned golf coach Clive Tucker - who trained Graeme McDowell to US Open success and four Ryder Cups - about whether the standard of golf will be affected after such a long break, what the TV companies might do to keep the fans entertained, the prospect of a joint men and women's tour and, of course, the prospect of a Ryder Cup later this year.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com (https://www.purple-planet.com/)
29 May 2020
Episode 2 - Kit Holden
Wunderbar! It's German football time on Project Restart, and this episode release perfectly coincides with the news the Premier League will be back on 17 June (as Kish predicted in the pod!) So, what can the UK learn from Germany in how to safely hold a football match behind closed doors, and why have German football fans been protesting at the Bundesliga's resumption? Kit Holden, journalist for Tagesspiegel and Mail Online tells all in a fascinating look into a sport which every fan has an opinion on.
22 May 2020
Episode 1 - Anna Smith
The pod opener focuses on tennis as Kieran and Kish interview GB doubles tennis player Anna Smith. Anna discusses the logistical challenges facing the sport's resumption, why the player relief fund hasn't received universal backing and what she would change about the game post-COVID.
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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