Female Athletes, Family, and High Performance: Lessons from the Inside

What’s it really like working in female high performance sport, and how much do we actually know about training female athletes?In this episode, Sean shares his journey across AFLW, national lacrosse, basketball, and NRLW, offering a raw and honest look into the realities of women’s sport - from incredibly supportive team cultures to stark differences in resources and opportunity.Drawing on real-world coaching experiences, we explore why one-size-fits-all approaches don’t work, particularly when navigating menstrual cycles, injury risk, and individual athlete needs. More importantly, this conversation highlights a surprising truth: despite the rapid growth of women’s sport, our understanding of how to optimally train female athletes is still evolving.You’ll also hear how these experiences shaped Sean’s coaching philosophy: emphasising individualisation, communication, trust, and adaptability; as well as the unique, family-oriented environments that often define female teams.Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or simply passionate about the future of sport, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you practical insights into a rapidly evolving space.