Let The Games Begin: 12 Sports Podcasts For Tweens And Teens

Sam Carr
Dec 12, 2023 By Sam Carr
Originally Published on May 07, 2020
Podcast setup on wooden table.

Podcasts are a great way for kids to keep up with their favourite sports - whether it's interviews with leading sportspeople, amazing stories from the history of sport, or providing the latest news and updates, they offer a whole host of ways to keep your young ones engaged and informed.

What's more, they can also offer great tips and tricks on how to improve your skills during the lockdown period.

However, with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start - so Kidadl has chosen the best shows for tweens and teens.

Swimming

Effortless Swimming

As well as offering a way to keep up-to-date with news about your favourite sports, podcasts can offer great tips for young people on how to improve their skills at a sport.

For any budding swimmers, Effortless Swimming is an excellent example of this - on this show, coach and swimmer Ben Ford sits down to talk to people from all over the swimming world, offering tonnes of expert advice on how to become a better swimmer - recent episodes have dealt with how to set a routine, overcoming injuries, and what to do if your pool is closed.

Suitable for: ages 11 and above.

Cricket

Stumped

The BBC's weekly cricket podcast features stories on cricket from all across the globe, including test cricket, the Indian leagues, and women's cricket. With all the latest developments covered on the show, this really is a fantastic podcast for any young teens looking to keep themselves updated with all the goings-on in the sport.

Suitable for ages: 12 and above.

The Analyst Inside Cricket

The Cricketer Magazine’s weekly programme brings listeners discussion on the hot topics in the cricket world, with interviews with players and prominent figures from the sport alongside talk and analysis with expert cricket pundits. For any young cricket fanatic, this is sure to be a hit.

Suitable for ages: 12 and above.

Tennis

Suitable for ages: 12 and above.

The Tennis Podcast

This weekly show is a fantastic resource for kids with a love for all things Tennis.

Presenters David Law and Catherine Whitaker keep listeners updated on the latest goings-on from around the sport, as well as sitting down to talk to big-name guests. Recent episodes have looked back at classic matches and stories from tennis history, as well as fun episodes such as looking a the worst predictions in tennis history.

All in all, this is a brilliant show for kids who are looking to expand their knowledge of the sport while having fun!

Suitable for ages: 14-18

Rugby

Suitable for ages: 12 and above.

House of Rugby

House of Rugby offers listeners an insight into all aspects of the world of rugby union - from on-pitch action to a discussion of grassroots rugby, this show is brilliant for any kids with a love for the sport.

Featuring a talk with special guest stars like Mike Tindall alongside discussion of the important rugby news of the day, House of Rugby is a great choice for rugby fanatics.

Suitable for ages: 15-18

5Live Rugby League

For any young fans of the other Rugby code, 5Live's Rugby League show offers a brilliant analysis of all the news from the world of rugby league. Including match recaps as well as interviews with leading players and coaches, the show will be enjoyed by every Rugby League fan.

Recent episodes have covered stories such as the first woman to referee a men's game, how Rugby league is coping with the Coronavirus, and how players cope with injuries.

Suitable for ages: 13-18

Football

Suitable for ages: 15-18

The Guardian Football Weekly

Offering a twice-weekly round-up of the biggest stories in football, the Guardian's Football Weekly is one of the best shows for any football fan.

Regular hosts Max Rushden and Barry Glendenning ensure this is always an enjoyable listen, and with guest experts from the football media all around Europe and the rest of the world, this show is a great way for kids to keep up with the beautiful game.

Suitable for ages: 15-18

The Ornstein & Chapman Podcast

David Ornstein and Mark Chapman discuss the biggest stories in the game on this popular football podcast.

Allowing listeners to get an insider look into the world of football, Ornstein and Chapman discuss transfers, managers and the goings-on at the world's biggest teams. Recent episodes have also featured interviews with figures from across the game like Kevin De Bruyne.

For fans of the behind-the-scenes side of football, this will be a fantastic listen - their coverage during the transfer window keeps listeners updated with all the latest moves and rumours day by day.

Suitable for ages: 12 and above

Athletics

Suitable for ages: 12 and above

The England Athletics Podcast

Featuring stories from Athletics clubs from all over England, the England Athletics Podcast is a great resource for any kids who are keen to discover more about athletics, as well as seasoned competitors.

Covering issues such as performance and mental health also means it's a fantastic show for any young athletes looking to pick up new ways to improve their skills.

Suitable for ages: 12 and above

Others

Suitable for ages: 15-18

Suitable for ages: 12 and above

ESPN 30 for 30

For amazing audio documentaries, ESPN's 30 for 30 series is a must-listen.

With each episode covering an amazing story from sports history, this is a fantastic show for any kids with a love for great storytelling. Featuring a conversation with the people who were there at the time, this is a fantastic way to get in touch with some of the most important issues in sports history.

As well as some of the more well-known stories, such as their recent episodes on the Chicago Bulls basketball team, the show covers some stories which may not be so well-known, such as the story of the 1999 Women's Soccer World Cup.

Suitable for ages: 15-18

The LGBT Sport Podcast

Discussing the most important LGBT+ stories in sport, this programme from the BBC is a fantastic listen if you're looking for an informative sports series.

Covering a diverse range of sports, such as golf, boxing and even professional wrestling, this brilliant show has featured interviews with inspirational guests such as Nicola Adams and Nigel Owens.

With episodes available going back two years, there is a world of brilliant content in this show's archives, making it a fantastic podcast to immerse yourself in if you're looking to pass a day at home!

Suitable for ages: 12 and above

Don't Tell Me The Score

The BBC's Don't Tell Me The Score show investigates how sport can teach us lessons about life, and how to get the best out of it. Simon Mundie discusses the lessons people from all across sport have learned throughout their lives, meaning that the show is full of inspirational stories which teenagers will love.

Suitable for ages: 12 and above.

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Written by Sam Carr

Bachelor of Arts specializing in History

Sam Carr picture

Sam CarrBachelor of Arts specializing in History

Based in Leeds, Sam is a passionate history student who developed a love for the subject through visits to museums across the country during his childhood. He has since become a true history buff, with a wealth of knowledge on the subject. When he's not studying, Sam enjoys discovering new places, listening to music, and exploring vegan cuisine.

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