Summary

Jack Hindle shares his experience of becoming an overseas footballer in Malaysia. He discusses the challenges of leaving England and adapting to a new culture and language.

He highlights the differences in football culture and expectations between England and Malaysia. Hindle also talks about the difficulties he faced with the club's management and the impact it had on the team's performance.

He ultimately had to undergo knee surgery and his season was cut short. Jack Hindle reflects on his experience playing football in Malaysia and the challenges he faced after a career-threatening injury.

He discusses the importance of finding a balance between football and personal life, the impact of social media on player exposure, and the need for proactive networking.

Hindle emphasises the significance of building relationships with coaches and teammates, as well as taking advantage of endorsement opportunities.

Despite the difficulties, he is proud of his career and looks forward to continuing to play football in Australia.

Jory Davis, a professional basketball player who has played in nine countries, shares her experiences as an overseas athlete.

She discusses the limited opportunities for female basketball players in the US compared to abroad, the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture, and the lack of support and transparency in contracts and salaries.

Jory emphasises the importance of adaptability, resourcefulness, and the right mindset for a successful career as an overseas athlete. She also highlights the need for better industry support systems and pay transparency.

Jori Davis discusses the challenges international basketball players face, including the lack of a central governing body and the need to navigate different rules and regulations in each country. She highlights the importance of open-mindedness and innovation in adapting to the game's borderless nature.

Davis also shares her experiences playing in different countries, with Italy being her favourite. She discusses the challenges of language barriers and stereotypes, emphasizing the need for communication and understanding.

Davis talks about the difficulties of obtaining visas and managing various aspects of life abroad, leading her to start Weevolve, a digital platform and athlete management ecosystem that helps athletes make better career decisions and access necessary services.

Matt Krog, a lawyer specialising in sports law, discusses the importance of contracts for athletes and the role of a sports lawyer in protecting their interests.

He highlights the need for athletes to be aware of the use of their personal information and image rights, especially when signing overseas contracts.

Krog emphasises the importance of negotiation and dispute resolution procedures in contracts, as well as the need for termination rights and flexibility for athletes.

He also discusses the role of agents and the possibility of terminating agreements with them. The conversation covers various legal aspects related to athlete contracts, including termination rights, sponsorship agreements, and the importance of planning for retirement.

It emphasises the need for athletes to protect their interests and seek legal advice when entering into contracts or starting their own ventures.

The discussion also highlights the role of agents and the importance of building a strong support network.

Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the legal considerations that athletes should be aware of throughout their careers.

Bride Kennedy-Hopoate shares her journey as an overseas athlete, from her early days in basketball to her college experience in the US.

She discusses her challenges, including injuries and language barriers, and how she managed to stay motivated and focused. She emphasises the importance of self-care, such as reading, yoga, and being in nature, in maintaining a positive mindset.

She discusses her experiences playing in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, including challenges with contracts and injuries. Kennedy-Hopoate encourages athletes to prioritise their health and make decisions that benefit their long-term careers.

Bride Kennedy-Hopoate also highlights the significance of team culture and relationships in achieving success on and off the court. She shares her overseas basketball experiences and advises young girls aspiring to play professionally. She emphasises the importance of researching, talking to current and former professional athletes, and contacting agents.

Kennedy-Hopoate also highlights the need to read contracts carefully and ensure that important clauses, such as payment terms and living arrangements, are included.

Hoops Abroad: Surviving and Thriving as a Basketball Coach in Foreign Lands with Travis McAvene

Travis McAvene, a basketball coach with extensive experience overseas, shares his journey in coaching. He has coached in several countries, including the Dominican Republic and Taiwan over a 26-year period.

Travis emphasises the importance of networking and taking risks to progress in the coaching industry. He also discusses coaching challenges in foreign countries, such as language barriers and cultural adjustments.

Travis highlights the need for perseverance and sacrifice in pursuing a career in basketball coaching, as the financial rewards may not always be substantial. He encourages players and coaches to be open to opportunities outside of the US and to be willing to adapt to different playing styles and environments.

The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of playing basketball overseas. Coach McAvene emphasises the importance of being aggressive and competitive, as the overseas basketball world is cutthroat and demands high performance. He advises players to educate themselves on the business side of the game and to have a long-term plan for their careers.

Mexico is recommended as a good starting point for players looking to gain experience overseas. Coach McAvene also discusses the significance of finding players who fit his coaching style and have the right attitude and personality to thrive in a foreign country.

Financial education and planning for life after basketball are also highlighted as crucial aspects of the overseas experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:24 Coaching Opportunities Overseas

08:31 Networking and Taking Risks

12:01 Challenges and Sacrifices in Overseas Coaching

15:18 Language Barriers and Cultural Differences

22:33 Contract Negotiations and Finances

26:21 Being Aggressive and Competitive in Basketball Overseas

28:05 Navigating the Cut-throat World of Coaching and Playing Overseas

34:06 Financial Education and Planning for a Secure Future

In this podcast episode, I interview Cameron, an Australian footballer who has been playing professionally abroad.

Cameron shares his journey from playing football in Queensland, Australia to becoming a professional athlete in Norway.

He discusses the challenges and rewards of playing overseas, the structure of football leagues in Norway, and the importance of European football for clubs.

Cameron also talks about his role as a mentor to younger players, his work-life balance, and his unique challenges when he first arrived in Norway.

He concludes by offering advice to listeners based on his experiences.

In this episode of the Overseas Athlete Podcast, Alastair, a football manager, shares his unique journey from managing grassroots-level teams to a Premier League Academy team.

Alastair discusses the challenges he faced, such as adapting to a different culture and working with limited resources. Despite these obstacles, he views his time in Cambodia as a valuable learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth.

Alastair emphasises the importance of hard work, sacrifice, and adaptability in pursuing a career in football management.

He is now seeking a new opportunity with a club that shares his vision and provides a clear plan for success.

In this podcast episode, Stefan, a professional football player, shares his journey from local teams in Adelaide to professional leagues in Japan with a journey via Europe.

He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of resilience, discipline, and self-motivation, and the role of the Australian Institute of Sport in his development.

Stefan also talks about his transition to living independently, his experiences with contract negotiations, and the intensity of training at a professional level.

He emphasises the importance of mental health in football and shares his work on the Inner Games Journals, aimed at helping athletes set goals and develop resilience.