In this episode of Beyond the Sport, we dive into how sports equipment and technology have evolved and the impact this is having on training methods, and the future of sport.

We reunite with some of our past guests to explore how changes in equipment have transformed their own sports, for better and for worse.

⚽ Francis Benali and Mike Phelan reflect on the evolution of football - from boots and balls to VAR, goal-line technology, and rule changes. We ask the big questions, like how many red cards would Francis have picked up if VAR was around in his day?

They unpack both sides of the coin:

✅ Player welfare improvements

✅ Safer heading protocols

✅ How tech is boosting the women’s game

❌ Controversial calls and moments lost to the past (yes, including that Mark Hughes goal that should have stood)

🏉 Greg Cropper shares how equipment is shaping touch rugby, from data-tracking tech to injury monitoring tools that help keep players safe and improve the game at grassroots level. We also cover smart mouthguards with sensors that record in-game impact — a breakthrough for rugby player safety.

🤸 Beth Tweddle reflects on gymnastics equipment advances - from safer training environments to updated floor structures and how these changes are prolonging careers and making the sport safer for the next generation.

🏓 Will Bayley talks about how equipment is making table tennis more accessible and engaging for fans, from enhanced playing conditions to personality-driven moments like walk-on music, nicknames, and merch that elevate players into sporting icons.

🏃 And there’s more — we discuss the rise of sensored tracks in athletics, digital performance analysis, and how tech is revolutionising everything from nutrition to recovery.

All told this video covers:

🎽 How equipment developments are changing sports performance and safety

📊 The rise of data-driven training and injury prevention tools

💪 How technology is improving opportunities in women’s sport

⚙️ The balance of tradition vs. technology in decision-making

🌍 How new equipment is making sport more accessible and entertaining for fans

It’s a fascinating look at how sport keeps evolving - and what the future might hold.

👉 Subscribe now and catch up on the full Beyond the Sport series.

#BeyondTheSport #SportsTech #AthleteWelfare #GrassrootsToGreatness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📺 Beyond the Sport | Streaming vs. Stadium: Can We Still Get Fans Through the Turnstiles?

In today’s digital world, streaming has revolutionised how we watch sport, but what does that mean for live attendance, and can both thrive together? In this episode of Beyond the Sport, we catch up with our past guests to explore how modern streaming platforms are both a challenge and a huge opportunity for the future of live sport.

We ask:

How do we keep fans coming to stadiums, arenas, and courts in the age of on-demand viewing?

What role can streaming play in growing lesser-known and grassroots sports?

⚽ Mike Phelan shares his thoughts on the relationship between football clubs and streaming platforms, and how to embrace technology without losing the magic of matchday.

🏉 The Nottingham rugby lads - Pickle and Keegan - reflect on why watching a match in person offers something a stream never can - and how the sport can better market that live experience.

🤸 Beth Tweddle discusses how gymnastics benefits from streaming exposure, but why there’s nothing quite like watching a live routine.

📱 At the same time, our guests recognise how streaming can help build audiences and grow sports that might not otherwise get airtime. Greg Cropper recalls how the 2018 Touch Rugby Championship made it onto the BBC’s Red Button and how moments like that can change a sport’s future.

In this episode, we cover:

🎥 How to balance streaming with live attendance

🎟️ Addressing the costs, logistics, and entertainment needed to attract fans to live events

📺 The benefits of streaming for promoting smaller sports and grassroots competitions

🏟️ Why the live experience still matters — and how to market it

📊 How online audiences can become future stadium audiences

It’s a conversation about tradition, innovation, and keeping the heart of sport alive.

👉 Subscribe now and dive into the full Beyond the Sport series.

#BeyondTheSport #StreamingVsStadium #GrassrootsToGreatness #SportingFuture

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Beyond the Sport, we dive into how sports equipment and technology have evolved and the impact this is having on training methods, and the future of sport.

We reunite with some of our past guests to explore how changes in equipment have transformed their own sports, for better and for worse.

⚽ Francis Benali and Mike Phelan reflect on the evolution of football - from boots and balls to VAR, goal-line technology, and rule changes. We ask the big questions, like how many red cards would Francis have picked up if VAR was around in his day?

They unpack both sides of the coin:

✅ Player welfare improvements

✅ Safer heading protocols

✅ How tech is boosting the women’s game

❌ Controversial calls and moments lost to the past (yes, including that Mark Hughes goal that should have stood)

🏉 Greg Cropper shares how equipment is shaping touch rugby, from data-tracking tech to injury monitoring tools that help keep players safe and improve the game at grassroots level. We also cover smart mouthguards with sensors that record in-game impact — a breakthrough for rugby player safety.

🤸 Beth Tweddle reflects on gymnastics equipment advances - from safer training environments to updated floor structures and how these changes are prolonging careers and making the sport safer for the next generation.

🏓 Will Bayley talks about how equipment is making table tennis more accessible and engaging for fans, from enhanced playing conditions to personality-driven moments like walk-on music, nicknames, and merch that elevate players into sporting icons.

🏃 And there’s more — we discuss the rise of sensored tracks in athletics, digital performance analysis, and how tech is revolutionising everything from nutrition to recovery.

All told this video covers:

🎽 How equipment developments are changing sports performance and safety

📊 The rise of data-driven training and injury prevention tools

💪 How technology is improving opportunities in women’s sport

⚙️ The balance of tradition vs. technology in decision-making

🌍 How new equipment is making sport more accessible and entertaining for fans

It’s a fascinating look at how sport keeps evolving - and what the future might hold.

👉 Subscribe now and catch up on the full Beyond the Sport series.

#BeyondTheSport #SportsTech #AthleteWelfare #GrassrootsToGreatness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.