#16 Sean Longhurst: Coaching through play

In this episode, Andrew speaks with Sean Longhurst – a coach developer and play advocate whose career has spanned academia, elite football, and grassroots community sport. Sean is a programme director at ParkPlay, as well as a coach development consultant across the sports and physical activity sector. Sean’s work focuses on developing those who develop others, and using the power of play to do it. Sean reflects on how his early academic work helped shape the way we think about play and movement learning – including his role in Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition – and what happens when you try to apply those ideas in the wild.They explore how play builds connection, what makes a great game, the limits of structured sport, and how to meaningfully support volunteers and coaches. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and grounded conversation for anyone interested in physical literacy, coaching, or movement that matters.Key Themes:What is play really for?Nonlinear pedagogy and ecological dynamics - from theory to muddy bootsSupporting volunteers without imposing top-down ideasLetting people shape their own learning environmentsGame design: 5 principles to guide any age groupBuilding playful training for adults and older peopleLinks to resources that came up:Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition (Chapter 11 – includes Sean's work)Boing PlayMusic: Mary Erskine (Me for Queen), Exercise