In this week’s brilliant episode, we sit down with Keegan Goss and Michael Green (aka Pickle) — and yes, he explains where that brilliant nickname comes from!

The lads open up about growing up in the Southern Hemisphere and reflect on their younger years back in New Zealand 🌿. They talk about the outdoor, carefree lifestyle, their first memories of picking up a rugby ball, and how being surrounded by sport shaped who they are today.

Pickle, who joined Nottingham in 2022, shares his journey since graduating in 2018 - from travelling the world 🌍 whilst chasing his rugby dreams, and what’s still to come as he hits 30 with no plans of slowing down.

Keegan also takes us through his own journey, playing in Ireland and Italy before arriving in Nottingham, and how rugby helped him. He even confesses to a short-lived cricket career at school before rugby stole his heart.

They both chat about:

School PE memories 🏏🏉

The importance of having great mentors growing up

The challenges of moving abroad for sport

Handling injuries and bouncing back

Their shared love of lawn bowls (because, why not? 😄)

Pickle talks about his Community Manager role and coaching in local schools and using touch rugby to inspire the next generation. Both players are passionate about showing kids the power of rugby — from teamwork to respect, on and off the pitch.

They even get into the meaning of the haka, how they learned it, and hint that we might just see a Pickle haka soon 👀🔥.

An honest, feel-good chat with two top blokes about life, rugby, and giving back. You don’t want to miss it.

Subscribe and stay tuned for more stories from Beyond the Sport! 🎥🏉

🌐 www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk/ - Nottingham Rugby

Check out our collection of Sports Podcast here: www.daviessports.co.uk/sports-podcast

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In this inspiring and down-to-earth interview, we sit down with Imogen Fowler – a rising star in women’s football ⚽🔥, currently playing for Chesterfield Ladies FC.

Imogen takes us back to where it all began – her primary school days, where her passion for football first took root. From playing with the boys at school and bonding over the love of the game, to dominating PE lessons and finding her footing across different sports like netball and badminton, her early years were packed with energy, competition, and a clear drive to stand out 💪.

She opens up about her journey from Derby County’s youth team (U18s) to making a bold move across the world at just 18, accepting a football scholarship in Illinois, USA 🇺🇸. Imogen shares what it was like arriving in the States, living and training as a student and athlete, along with navigating the big differences between UK and US football culture – especially when it comes to scholarships and training intensity.

From the highs of chasing her dream abroad to the challenges of COVID lockdown, she reflects on how the pandemic impacted both her education and her football career, and how she found the strength to push through, complete her studies, and return home to continue doing what she loves most.

Now back in England and playing for Chesterfield Ladies, Imogen’s ambition is laser-focused: become the league’s top goal scorer 🥅⚽ – all while balancing the demands of working at St George’s Park, the home of English football 🏟️.

This episode is packed with candid stories, real talk about women’s football, and a look at what it really takes to follow your dreams – on and off the pitch 🌟

A site for athletes endorsed by Imogen 🌐 www.p3rform.co.uk/

And for more Beyond the Sport podcasts check out all of them here 🌐 www.daviessports.co.uk/sports-podcast

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In this candid and inspiring interview, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Will Bayley – the world’s number 1 ranked Paralympic table tennis player 🏓✨

From being awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours to winning 7 Paralympic medals, Will shares stories that go far beyond the sporting arena. He opens up about his childhood, including how he became an Arsenal fan ❤️⚽ the real difference between ping pong and table tennis, and how sport became his outlet while growing up with a disability.

Will talks honestly about his early struggles, including being diagnosed with blood cancer at just 7 years old, undergoing multiple operations, and navigating school life while dealing with daily challenges. Through it all, his mum was his rock 💪 instilling in him a winning mindset and a relentless drive to succeed.

We follow his journey into table tennis – from his first serious training trip to Beijing, to reaching the Paralympic final in London 2012 in front of a roaring home crowd. He also shares what it was like competing in Rio, how passionate he gets with umpires (maybe a little too passionate), and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Off the table, Will reflects on collecting his MBE and the cheeky antics of his brother at the Palace, meeting Prince William, and how surreal it all felt.

We also get a glimpse into his time on Strictly Come Dancing – only bowing out due to a leg injury, his unexpected love for dancing (despite the two left feet), and how past experiences have always driven him to push boundaries.

Today, Will is based in Brighton, coaching the next generation of table tennis talent, passing on the wisdom, energy, and fighting spirit that have defined his career.

This is a powerful story of resilience, mindset, family, sport, and never giving up – no matter what life throws at you 💯🔥

🌐 https://en.butterfly.tt/ - Will's table tennis shop

Check out our collection of Sports Podcast here: www.daviessports.co.uk/sports-podcast

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