It’s April 2020, and as our sporting clubs were shutting down, Ben Hook turned his attention to the Hooked on Sport Podcast, a virtual sporting club to help sporting communities get through the period of having no sport.
The Hooked on Sport Team was host Ben Hook, producer Wallace Long and music by Ben Watson.
Here are a selection of the 38 episodes.
EPISODE 8: SPORTS BROADCASTER | Bruce McAvaney
Australia’s most decorated sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney shares his thoughts on how horse racing, Australian Rules Football and the Olympic Games have responded to the pandemic, and the impact it is having across all sporting codes and entertainment industry.
BONUS: AUSTRALIAN SPORTS FOUNDATION | Patrick Walker
The IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON COMMUNITY SPORT report collected data from over 4000 clubs, over 100 different sports from every state and territory.
It highlighted that if financial help is not forthcoming, 1 in 4 of these community sporting clubs will face insolvency. Patrick Walker CEO Australian Sports Foundation emphasises the huge role that sporting clubs play in our community life. ‘They are so important for physical and mental health that it would be a social crisis if we lose anything like that number of clubs. And we can’t allow it to happen.’
EPISODE 9: CRICKET | Eloise Sheridan, Mary Waldron
Cricket Umpires, Eloise Sheridan and Mary Waldron join Ben Hook to discuss how they are making their mark in cricket. Mary still plays cricket for Ireland. Eloise was recently named SACA Premier Cricket Umpire of the Year for season 2019/20.
EPISODE 30: NETBALL | Bronwyn Klei
The Netball SA Premier League is back! Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei previews the Premier League and encourages us all to adopt a team this season. Bronwyn explains what is happening with the local leagues and the excitement as the Adelaide Thunderbirds prepare for their season start in early August.
EPISODE 34: DEVELOPING GIRLS AND WOMEN’S FOOTY SKILLS
Physiotherapist and elite athlete Daniel Lee discusses why girls and women playing Aussie Rules benefit from training programs that are specifically designed for them.
Daniel talks about his focus on women’s sport and how he came to create Level Up: Women’s AFL. Daniel discusses skills training, strength and conditioning, recovery, injury prevention and his research into concussion.
EPISODE 27: ELITE SPORT | Eddie Denis
Eddie Denis is a High Performance Lead at South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). Eddie joins Ben Hook to discuss how their elite athletes have managed through the shutdown and the online competitions they have been involved in. Eddie shares his thoughts on what international sport may look like in the future, and since returning to SASI, what sports program has made an impression.
EPISODE 23: ONE CLUB CULTURE | Steve Newman
Sports leadership mentor Steve Newman works with sports clubs to develop a ‘one club culture’. Steve has seen first-hand the adjustments community clubs have had to make during the shutdown, and as we return to sport Steve discusses the key characteristics to give a sports club the best hope of success.
EPISODE 13: STRENGTH & CONDITIONING | Eleni Vosnakis. SPORTS FOOTWEAR | Josh Willoughby
Eleni Vosnakis, the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Adelaide United FC W-League team, provides some practical tips to athletes as they return to sport. (00:20)
Josh Willoughby, former AFL player and co-founder of RunDNA, shares how data is being used to identify the right shoe for each athlete. (13:50)
EPISODE 32: FROM TOURNAMENT GOLF TO CHICKEN PICCATA | Steph Na
Another bizarre chapter in the recipe book of pro sport 2020. Steph Na has been in the US since March and talks us through how the impact of COVID played out for professional golf.
From playing, to partying at The Players Championship, to the Symetra Tour being shut down, and her time away from golf. Discovering her go to dish – Chicken Piccata, and now, her excitement of getting back to tournament golf.