We Are The One - The Lincolnshire FA Podcast

For Episode 22 of Lincolnshire FA's Award Winning We Are The One Podcast, we're talking to Media & Comms Lead for Football v Homophobia, Jon Holmes.   Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about how the campaign started, the challenges LGBTQ+ people face in football, and what practical steps we can all take to be more inclusive.

For Episode 21 of Lincolnshire FA's Award Winning We Are The One Podcast, we're talking to Level 4 Referee, Andy Pontin.   Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about how he first got into Refereeing, what the journey has been like for him, and handling high pressure situations on the pitch.

For Episode 20 of Lincolnshire FA's Award Winning We Are The One Podcast, we're talking to Media Officer at Scotter United Juniors FC, Chris Sumpter. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about his role, how Chris made Scotter Juniors' media one of the best in Lincolnshire, and the impact this has had on the club and community. 

For Episode 19 of Lincolnshire FA's Award Winning We Are The One Podcast, we're talking to our Regional Pitch Advisors, Ged Newman & Phil Kime. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about their roles, how pitch maintenance has changed over time, and the most common challenges that Grounds Teams face. 

For Episode 18 of Lincolnshire FA's Award Winning We Are The One Podcast, we're talking to Bottesford Town FC's Club Secretary, Stephen Altoft. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about what his role involves on a day-to-day basis, the importance of the relationship with the community, and and how the club has grown during his 30 years at the club.

For Episode 17 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we're talking to Spalding United Youth Coach, Lee Black. It's Rainbow Laces campaign, and Lee has seen phenomenal things as part of the campaign in recent years.  Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about the culture he's created, the impact of Rainbow Laces, how he's used the campaign to educate & inspire, and his role model.

For Episode 16 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, it's Black History Month! So we're talking to Level 6 Referee, Michael Howard. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about his Refereeing journey, diversity within grassroots football, and the challenges Black people face both in society and football.

For Episode 15 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, it's Restart A Heart Month! So we're talking to Melanie Meik, Lincolnshire's Fundraising Manager for the British Heart Foundation. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about the campaign. the statistics around Cardiac Arrests, and the RevivR app and learning CPR. A very important subject that can affect absolutely anyone.

For Episode 14 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, it's Play Safe Weekend! So we've been joined by the Club Welfare Officer for Barton Town & Barton Inclusive and Chair of the QuickLine Lincolnshire Women & Girls League, Lynn Green. Hosted by Zack Leader & Ben Pearce, we talk about how Lynn ensures safeguarding practices are consistent across different environments, how Play Safe has been embraced by the club and league, and how they ensure everyone understands the role they play in safeguarding. 

For Episode 13 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by the Manager of Boston United Women and Member of Lincolnshire FA's Inclusion Advisory Group, Marc Fleckney. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about what motivated him to join the IAG, how inclusion and diversity has evolved in grassroots football, and how to create an inclusive environment.

For Episode 12 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by the Media Officer for Louth Town FC, Gavin Borthwick. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about what inspired him to take up a voluntary media role, why it's important for clubs to have a strong digital media presence, and why it's more than a matchday role.

For Episode 11 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by a newly-announced 2024 Grassroots Football Award winner - Junior Director at Lincoln United, Gemma Bell. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about what motivates her to give up so much time to football, the challenges she faces, and the impact that football has on her local community. 

For Episode 10 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by the Chair of the Lincolnshire FA Youth Council, Tom Wilkinson, and Vice-Chair, Ethan Freeston. Hosted by Zack Leader and Ben Pearce, we talk about the role of the Youth Council, the importance of youth voice in football, and the challenges facing young people today.

Something a little bit different for Episode 9 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast. We've been joined by our outgoing Referee Development Manager, Michael Brader. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk to Michael about his Refereeing journey, his 13 years at Lincolnshire FA, and how the Refereeing landscape has changed during that time.

For Episode 8 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by two Club Secretaries, Matt Drury from Hykeham Tigers JFC, and John Anderson from Friendship FC. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk to both about their role as a Club Secretary and how their work differs from Junior Football to Open Age Football. We also discuss how the game has changed, creating a positive club culture, and why they do what they do.

For Episode 7 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by Head Coach of Grimsby Town Ability Counts FC and Lincolnshire FA's Disability Football Ambassador, Jason Land. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk to Jason about his footballing journey and how he's overcome being visually impaired, playing for England's first Pan-Disability side, how the Disability pathway has changed, and how to adapt coaching methods to suit a variety of needs and disabilities. 

For Episode 6 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we're hosting an hour long Mental Health Awareness Week special. Guest-Hosted by Jordan Mason and Ben Pearce, we talk to three industry experts about the current landscape - both in society and in football - around mental health, how we can support and encourage conversations about our mental wellbeing, and top tips for those in grassroots football to support those struggling.

For Episode 5 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by Club Welfare Officer at Crosby United. Karen Lloyd. Hosted by Zack Leader and Ben Pearce, we talk to Karen about her 20+years in grassroots football, the importance of safeguarding, and the challenges she faces in her role. She also raises an important conversation around Mental Health in football.

For Episode 4 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by Groundsman and Club Development Officer at Broughton Ravers JFC, Sean Clixby. Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk to Sean about his story, the development of his club's Grass Pitch maintenance, the funding they accessed and the difference it's made, along with the challenges the club faces.

For Episode 3 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by Head of Girls Football at Greenbank JFC, Committee Member of the QuickLine Lincolnshire Women & Girls' League and Equal Game Ambassador, Carole Simpson. Hosted by Zack Leader and Kirsty Dixon, we talk to Carole about her inspiration, her personal growth over the last 12 months, the future of Women & Girls football in Lincolnshire, and the challenges that come with running a grassroots football league. 

For Episode 2 of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by Level 6 Lincolnshire Referee, Daniel Innes.  Hosted by Zack Leader, we talk about Danny's story, how he got into Refereeing, why he believes he's arguably one of Lincolnshire's most popular Match Officials, and the challenges he faces. We also touch on his Grassroots Football Award, and being appointed to a 2023 County Cup Final.

For the first ever episode of Lincolnshire FA's We Are The One Podcast, we've been joined by Assistant Manager for Lincoln United Women, Katie Davison, and Manager of Boston Town FC, Martyn Bunce. We talk about how they both got into coaching, having both been former players, as well as the impact being involved in football has on them, how the game has changed in their time, and winning the elusive Lincolnshire FA County Cups!