How did you get into sport?
This is the “How did you get into sport?” podcast where we explore the ins and outs of working in high performance sport.
These are conversations with leaders in the industry about their journey and most importantly how they got to where they are. Working in professional sport is one of the most sought after yet highly competitive industries with limited professional organisations offering opportunities to work at the highest level of their respective sports.
This podcast was created on the back of countless conversations with a diverse range of experienced professionals overly frustrated yet still highly motivated to work in their dream role and asking the question “How did you get to work in professional sport and what did you have to do to get there?” Host Luis Resa is a Sports Physiotherapist who has worked in various elite professional organisation both in Australia and internationally.
In each episode, Luis has deep conversations with Sports Physiotherapist, S&C coaches, Head coaches, High Performance Managers and other leaders in the field of elite sport to discuss what it takes to excel in the world of sport as well as diving deeply into the intricacies of what got their foot in the door of some of the world’s most desirable roles.
Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. In the meantime, enjoy a deep conversation and learn the specific do’s and don’ts of both securing and surpassing expectations in the field of high performance sport.
How did you get into sport?
Stuart McLaren - Football Coach for Brisbane Strikers, Scottish FA and Celtic FC
Stuart McLaren is one of few Australian football coaches who have successfully forged a coaching career on the international stage. After a professional playing career, Stuart has gone onto to coach such clubs as Brisbane Strikers (NSL), North Queensland Fury (A-League), Stirling Albion FC (Scottish League One) as well as being Manager of Celtic FC Men’s U18s team, where he successfully won the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 6 years. Stuart has also worked with the Scottish Football Association (FA) in various roles including Head Coach for the Men’s U16s Scottish National Team. This is a never heard before deep dive into someone who was a product of the “Golden Generation” of Australian players coming out of the AIS system who has since gone on to build a successful coaching career in one of the most competitive and unforgiving environments of European Football.
Highlights from the episode…
- What it was like being part of the famous AIS youth system and how he navigated moving away from home and dealing with the challenges of a professional environment while only 16 years old.
- “Perser-vilience”!
- Stuart shares his move to the Scottish first division and speaks about the highs and lows of playing in Europe.
- He then moved to Hong Kong and shares the unconventional practices and unbelievable events he experienced while playing in Asia.
- What he learnt as a player and how he instills this now with his players as a coach.
- Be genuine in your approach. Being genuine is about being “consistent”
- Stuart shares how he is able to maintain high standards while still creating an environment that is enjoyable.
- Why Stuart chose to leave Australia while his stock was high after making a successful transition from playing to coaching.
- The challenges of working in high performance sport and maintaining a strong family network.
- Having moved to Europe with no job, Stuart candidly shares how he navigated this tough period of uncertainty in his career.
- How Stuart achieved his first head coaching role in the UK with Loughborough University.
- What led to securing a role with Scottish FA and going on to coach some of the best young footballers in the country.
- Being involved in youth football at the highest level, Stuart shares what we should consider when developing Aussie youth players to excel in Europe.
- What characteristics he’s seen in good and not so good high performance staff.
- Staying in your lane and where I’ve got it wrong.
- Working at Celtic FC and the effect Ange Postecoglou had on players, staff and club.
- Is there things football can learn from sports like AFL and NRL, such as extra long contracts for players and coaches?
People mentioned:
- Pete Fowler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpetefowler/?originalSubdomain=au
- Chris Cushion: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/chris-cushion/
- Eric Ramsay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ramsay-133580131/?originalSubdomain=uk
Stuart McLaren contact details:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-mclaren-b760a933/details/experience/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_McLaren
Host: Luis Resa
Contact me on:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/
- Email: luis.resa@outlook.com
Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.
