Australia's first FREE football Academy is opening in Brisbane! In this episode, Raymond Wood talks us through the details about what you need to do to be part of this incredible opportunity.

Australia's first FREE football Academy is opening in Brisbane! In this episode, Raymond Wood talks us through the details about what you need to do to be part of this incredible opportunity.

The FREE Euro Football Star Academy is Launching!

How do a few British expats mad about watching sport decide to start a Brisbane outpost of the Barmy Army? We chat with George Gallantree, one of the founders of the ‘Brisbane Barmies’, about turning his lifelong passion for sport into a charity fundraising machine. We talk about George’s lifelong love of football and his bizarre encounters with some big clubs in his younger years — despite knowing pretty early that he wasn’t going to make it as a pro. A great listen about how it’s possible to make ‘being a sports fan’ into a huge and meaningful part of life.

How do a few British expats mad about watching sport decide to start a Brisbane outpost of the Barmy Army? We chat with George Gallantree, one of the founders of the ‘Brisbane Barmies’, about turning his lifelong passion for sport into a charity fundraising machine. We talk about George’s lifelong love of football and his bizarre encounters with some big clubs in his younger years — despite knowing pretty early that he wasn’t going to make it as a pro. A great listen about how it’s possible to make ‘being a sports fan’ into a huge and meaningful part of life.

Brisbane's Barmy Army : Building Community and Charity Through Sport:

We speak to one of our newest recruits about his first few months on the Pro Player Pathway. What pushed him to sign up, what did his match analysis with a Tranmere Rovers coach uncover, and what changes has he already seen in his game? We talk diet, GPS trackers, and what the pathway is for Nathan to come along on European trials next year. Also, a tip for parents to help their kids with their scanning game, and Nathan genuinely surprises Ray with his pick of where he’d like to play in Europe. Tune in!

We speak to one of our newest recruits about his first few months on the Pro Player Pathway. What pushed him to sign up, what did his match analysis with a Tranmere Rovers coach uncover, and what changes has he already seen in his game? We talk diet, GPS trackers, and what the pathway is for Nathan to come along on European trials next year. Also, a tip for parents to help their kids with their scanning game, and Nathan genuinely surprises Ray with his pick of where he’d like to play in Europe. Tune in!

Four Months on the Program: Player Progress Report with Nathan Long

We talk to Liverpool great John Barnes about his young life in Jamaica, and how his love of many sports contributed to making him the player that would one day represent England. We talk about his views on the importance of a long ‘apprenticeship’ before moving to a bigger club, and his experience learning ‘the Liverpool Way’. Also, are we coaching our senior players too much — or should we just let our players, play? Tune in for all this and so much more.

We talk to Liverpool great John Barnes about his young life in Jamaica, and how his love of many sports contributed to making him the player that would one day represent England. We talk about his views on the importance of a long ‘apprenticeship’ before moving to a bigger club, and his experience learning ‘the Liverpool Way’. Also, are we coaching our senior players too much — or should we just let our players, play? Tune in for all this and so much more.

Learning the Liverpool Way: A Sporting Life with John Barnes

What’s your dream for professional football? Lachlan joined our program at the end of ‘23, and he’s got great vision for his footballing future- both on and off the pitch. We speak to Lachie about his time on the program so far and how he’s getting ready for European trials in January. Listen in for a great chat with a young player with a promising future in the beautiful game. 

What’s your dream for professional football? Lachlan joined our program at the end of ‘23, and he’s got great vision for his footballing future- both on and off the pitch. We speak to Lachie about his time on the program so far and how he’s getting ready for European trials in January. Listen in for a great chat with a young player with a promising future in the beautiful game.

Player Feedback Report: Lachlan Olsen

This ep we’re chatting to Kai Henning, one of the players from our program who has made it to the UK and is currently at Stephen Gerrard’s Academy in Liverpool. He tells us about his experience on the Pro Player Pathway Program, his UK tours and trials, and what it’s actually like to live, study, and play at a top academy in the UK- including what it’s like to play in the National Youth League! We love bringing you stories of young players who have done our program and have made it to Europe, so tune in for a great chat.

This ep we’re chatting to Kai Henning, one of the players from our program who has made it to the UK and is currently at Stephen Gerrard’s Academy in Liverpool. He tells us about his experience on the Pro Player Pathway Program, his UK tours and trials, and what it’s actually like to live, study, and play at a top academy in the UK- including what it’s like to play in the National Youth League! We love bringing you stories of young players who have done our program and have made it to Europe, so tune in for a great chat.

Small Tweaks, Big Changes: Academy Life with Kai Henning

12 months on our Professional Pathway Program, a move to Brisbane, and signing as an U17s player for Logan Lightning: it’s been a pretty wild year for 15 year old Maya Allsop. But 2025 is going to be even bigger, as she takes on her European trials. We talk about her improvement on the Program over the last 12 months, how she went from 30% to 85% in her scanning scores, and why she feels that wearing a GPS is like having a coach right beside you.

12 months on our Professional Pathway Program, a move to Brisbane, and signing as an U17s player for Logan Lightning: it’s been a pretty wild year for 15 year old Maya Allsop. But 2025 is going to be even bigger, as she takes on her European trials. We talk about her improvement on the Program over the last 12 months, how she went from 30% to 85% in her scanning scores, and why she feels that wearing a GPS is like having a coach right beside you.

Liverpool, PSG, Barcelona Trials: 2025 is going to be BIG for Maya Allsop

So much in this ep for players and parents- and a GIVEAWAY! We are very lucky in Australia to have an academy coach of the calibre of Luiz Ruiz. In this jam-packed chat we talk about how the South American game differs from the European and Australian, and how Luis’ childhood challenges of poverty gave him a burning hunger for the game. We talk about why he sees Aussie kids going head to head with European players at age 7-13…but then sees the skill gap balloon out massively in the teenage years. How do we fix that, and the other issues plaguing Aussie football pathways? Tune in to find out in this fascinating conversation.

So much in this ep for players and parents- and a GIVEAWAY! We are very lucky in Australia to have an academy coach of the calibre of Luiz Ruiz. In this jam-packed chat we talk about how the South American game differs from the European and Australian, and how Luis’ childhood challenges of poverty gave him a burning hunger for the game. We talk about why he sees Aussie kids going head to head with European players at age 7-13…but then sees the skill gap balloon out massively in the teenage years. How do we fix that, and the other issues plaguing Aussie football pathways? Tune in to find out in this fascinating conversation.

The South American Way: Making Opportunities from Nothing with Luis Ruiz

How does someone who admits she started out with ‘no talent, no skills, and no coaches’ grow up to play with the Matildas and Liverpool? Find out in this EPIC podcast chat with one of Australia’s football stars, as we discuss Emily Gielnik's obsession with repetition, why she still trains with the men’s side, and how it felt to be on the sidelines with injury during the Women’s World Cup. Plus, a barnstorming chat about building the next generation of Australian footballers through better pro pathways and programs like her Future Baller Clinic.

How does someone who admits she started out with ‘no talent, no skills, and no coaches’ grow up to play with the Matildas and Liverpool? Find out in this EPIC podcast chat with one of Australia’s football stars, as we discuss Emily Gielnik's obsession with repetition, why she still trains with the men’s side, and how it felt to be on the sidelines with injury during the Women’s World Cup. Plus, a barnstorming chat about building the next generation of Australian footballers through better pro pathways and programs like her Future Baller Clinic.

No Ceiling: Matilda Emily Geilnik on Her Competitive Obsession

We talk to Jackson Booth, who joined our program a few months ago and whose game is going strength to strength as he works his way towards European trials. He talks us through his match analysis meeting with Danny Clarke that showed the issue with his scanning skills, and how wearing our GPS tracker has revealed the TRUTH rather than his opinion about how a game went. This ep is for someone who wants to understand the player experience inside our program and how it can dramatically and rapidly change your game.

We talk to Jackson Booth, who joined our program a few months ago and whose game is going strength to strength as he works his way towards European trials. He talks us through his match analysis meeting with Danny Clarke that showed the issue with his scanning skills, and how wearing our GPS tracker has revealed the TRUTH rather than his opinion about how a game went. This ep is for someone who wants to understand the player experience inside our program and how it can dramatically and rapidly change your game.

Scanning His Way To European Trials: Jackson Booth

With over two decades in professional football, Ray Wood is on a mission to unlock pathways to professional play for aspiring footballers in Australia and beyond. This podcast brings together the finest minds in global football, including current and former players, coaches, managers, and administrators, to tackle one pressing question: "How can you make it as a pro?" Whether you're an aspiring player, or the parent of one, tune in to gain invaluable insights that could set you on the path to football stardom.

With over two decades in professional football, Ray Wood is on a mission to unlock pathways to professional play for aspiring footballers in Australia and beyond. This podcast brings together the finest minds in global football, including current and former players, coaches, managers, and administrators, to tackle one pressing question: "How can you make it as a pro?" Whether you're an aspiring player, or the parent of one, tune in to gain invaluable insights that could set you on the path to football stardom.

Ray Wood is on a mission to unlock pathways to professional play for aspiring footballers.

The Raymond Wood Podcast

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