A football podcast supporting the welfare, progress and enjoyment of girls, boys and their parents participating in the sport. Hosts ex-England Lioness, Katie Chapman and psychologist, Simon Moore, will explore the psychology, experience and expectations of playing football at a young age. In every episode, they'll be joined by experts in the game to discuss the high and lows, the pathway to a profession in the game, as well as career opportunities that don't involve kicking a ball. Get in touch with your comments, questions & experiences: info@whatsmygoal.co.uk Text/WhatsApp: 07792 344637
The Academy is only one route to professional football.
What if the academy isn’t the only route to football success—or even the right one for every child?
In this episode, we explore the different pathways through the game and challenge the pressure to chase academy places at all costs. We’ll compare the academy route with starting at the appropriate step level, where many players can enjoy more game time, build confidence, develop resilience and progress at their own pace.
Because football journeys are not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, the best place to start is not the most prestigious one—it’s the environment where a player can grow, thrive and keep moving forward.
The majority of young people who enter academy football do not progress to a professional playing career, so managing expectations and protecting enjoyment are essential. Research also suggests that deselection is common during adolescence, reinforcing the value of seeing academy football as one possible route rather than the only definition of success.
We will be joined by former lioness Claire Rafferty, and Tony May, Independent Football Scout/Player Recruitment to discuss.
If you want to be a guest, request a topic to discuss or feedback then please email us at:
whatsyourgoalpodcast@gmail.com
You can check out Claire's new project at Transferroom: https://www.transferroom.com/?utm_campaign=soclcnt_%5Bsocial%5D_%5Bba%5D_trall_global_2022&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Website%20Home%20Page%20Bio%20sep13
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30 Dec 2025
Brains, Bones and Big Growth Spurts: How Development Shapes Young Footballers (and Their Injuries)
In this episode Katie and Simon explore the physical, psychological and hormonal changes that shape, break and create footballers.
If you ever wondered about injury problems, growth spurts, hormonal changes, sleep and how much football a young player should be playing in a week and even if you should have a nap in the car on the way to the game - then listen in!
They explore these issues with their guests, a Professor of Paediatric Exercise Science.
Expert in growth and maturation in sport and exercise who works with many Premiership Clubs and a Senior Physiotherapist who has worked with the Chelsea Women's First Team.
Have a question or want to be a guest? then contact us on whatsyourgoalpodcast@gmail.com
Produced by Leo Audio Productions
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15 Oct 2025
Embracing Mistakes and Failure
In this new episode Katie and Simon discuss how we might rethink mistakes and failure on and off the football pitch.
With their guests: Clare Rafferty (Former England, Chelsea and West Ham defender), Richard Allen (FIFA High Performance Specialist and Talent ID Technical Lead), Michael Wright (~Former Southampton FC Head of Academy Coaching and now Head of Academy Coaching at Forest Green Astrid Lockwood (Stoke City Women's Team Footballer) they explore what professional clubs and players think of mistakes, how embracing them improves your football and what happens to your game if you play to avoid mistakes.
As usual Simon tests Katie's football knowledge and they answer questions from the listeners. A must listen to if you are a parent or a coach looking to improve the mindsets, resilience and skills of footballers.
Link to Michaels podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sports-initiative-podcast/id1506472692
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10 Jun 2025
Kids vs. Parents: The Truth About Youth Football Likes, Dislikes & Sideline Shouting
Dr. Simon Moore and Katie Chapman interview young football players and their parents, revealing insights into the likes, dislikes, and sideline behavior in youth football.
3 Mar 2025
Careers in Sport - Live from the Gtech Stadium
In this episode Katie and Simon are invited to the Brentford Gtech Stadium in front of a live audience to explore careers in football off the field and within the sports industry. They are joined by Harvey Grout, MD of Careers in Sport and James Dickens, Former Editor in Chief and Head of Content for the likes of Goal.com, Yahoo Sports and Match of the Day.
We discuss how you might start your career in the sports industry and analyse what skills and characteristics might help or hinder you on that journey.
We chat about how you might approach or work with some of the Premiership Football Clubs directly and how using indirect strategies might be more successful.
This episode was kindly sponsored by the OSB Finance Group. (https://www.osb.co.uk/)
20 Dec 2024
FROM PART-TIME TO PRO
Football talent scouts from West Ham, Middlesborough, Bristol City, and Lewes Women Football clubs share expert advice on getting scouted and transitioning from part-time to pro football.
25 Nov 2024
FEED YOUR FEET!
Former Chelsea and England player Katie Chapman and club experts from top-tier clubs share surprising nutritional and physical preparation advice to optimize football performance.
25 Oct 2024
WHY FOOTBALL?
In this first episode Katie and Simon explore the various reasons, motivations, and needs that playing football provides.
We look at the physical, psychological, mental and social benefits of playing the sport from nursery age through to adulthood.
We are joined by England Lioness Captain, Millie Bright, Psychologist, Kev Patel from QPR and former Watford and England youth player, Jordan Parkes.
WHAT'S YOUR GOAL is a podcast that aims to support the welfare, progress and enjoyment of girls and boys and their parents participating in the sport.
With ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and England pro, Katie Chapman and psychologist, Simon Moore.
Check out https://whatsmygoal.co.uk/ and get in touch with comments, questions and experiences by email info@whatsmygoal.co.uk (mailto:Info@whatsmygoal.co.uk)
Or Text/WhatsApp: 07792 344637
25 Oct 2024
WHY THIS PODCAST?
In this preview episode of our new footballing podcast, we find out how a chartered psychologist and a former professional footballer teamed up to create a podcast that explores the wonderful world of playing football.
Rather than a series about famous footballers and teams that play football, the podcast explores the whole footballing industry - from grassroots, through to youth and semi-professional level. Examining the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the game and the various career opportunities within it.
If you play, have children that play or are interested in the backroom of football then this is for you!
WHAT'S YOUR GOAL is a podcast that aims to support the welfare, progress and enjoyment of girls and boys and their parents participating in the sport.
With ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and England pro, Katie Chapman and psychologist, Simon Moore.
Check out https://whatsmygoal.co.uk/ and get in touch with comments, questions and experiences by email info@whatsmygoal.co.uk (mailto:Info@whatsmygoal.co.uk)
Or Text/WhatsApp: 07792 344637
8 Jul 2024
What's Your Goal - coming soon
A new footballing podcast to support the welfare, progress and enjoyment of girls and boys and their parents participating in the sport.
With ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and England pro, Katie Chapman and psychologist, Simon Moore.
Check out https://whatsmygoal.co.uk/ and get in touch with comments, questions and experiences by email info@whatsmygoal.co.uk (mailto:Info@whatsmygoal.co.uk)
Or Text/WhatsApp: 07792 344637
Who has been a guest on What's Your Goal?
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
experts from West Ham
experts from Middlesborough
experts from Bristol City
experts from Lewes Women Football clubs
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 5 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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