The Jack Murley Sports Show

The One with Zach Sullivan

Manchester Pride has been and gone, so it only seems appropriate to get someone from that part of the world on the pod today.
In fact, Manchester Storm ice hockey star Zach Sullivan is someone we’ve been wanting to catch up with for a while – and now is the perfect time to do it.
Zach opened up publicly about the fact he’s bisexual back in 2020, and we actually spoke to him about it on the pod about it at the time.
But a lot has changed in the time between now and then – including Zach surpassing more than 500 appearances in the Elite Ice Hockey League – so it’s the perfect time for a catch up.
And this is just a cracking conversation with Zach, where you realise how much has changed – in terms of Zach’s confidence in who he is, his reflection on coming out, how he’s helped other people through his decision, his career until now and what comes next... honestly, it’s just full to the brim with so much great stuff!
Zach is so laid-back, so considered, with a great dry sense of humour – he’s someone we really like on a personal level, and we really hope you like this episode as much as we do.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@zachsully94 on Instagram
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Rocky Clark

For England rugby legend Rocky Clark, the past week has been an emotional one.
On the positive side, it’s the anniversary of her greatest triumph – with 2024 marking exactly ten years since she lifted the World Cup with England.
On the other hand, Rocky also experienced her first piece of homophobic abuse in a long time – and the experience left her shaken and hurt.
So, the highest of highs, the lowest of lows – but Rocky is one of our favourite people, and we were desperate to get her back on the show, so now seemed like the best time to do it.
And as always, a chat with Rocky – one of the greatest English players to ever pull on the jersey, period – is time well spent.
This chat goes everywhere, from mental health to retirement to dealing with abuse to the mammoth cycling fundraising challenge she’s taking on with a fellow England rugby superstar.
Just sit back, listen and enjoy one of those chats that just contains everything!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:@rockyclark_1
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Jahmal Howlett-Mundle

Jahmal Howlett-Mundle was just a kid when he was scouted for Crystal Palace – so it’s fair to say that football was in his blood from a very early age.
Jahmal signed a professional contract at Hearts, and then went on to play at a semi-pro level for the likes of Sheppey United, and currently plies his trade at Sevenoaks Town – where he’s also the skipper!
Jahmal is also bisexual and came out to his then-teammates in 2021 – and he says he’s more confident than ever when it comes to speaking about his truth.
In fact, Jahmal is dedicating himself to making football a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone, so we’re delighted to have him on the podcast today.
We can’t tell you how much we love this episode – there is so much positivity, but also realness and honesty in this chat from a man who just wants to make the game better.
Honestly, it’s a stonker!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?:@jahmalhm on Instagram and TikTokWANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Village Manchester FC

Founded in 1996, Village Manchester FC is one of the UK’s leading inclusive football teams.
From a team that started as a response to the pervasive notion that ‘gay players’ couldn’t compete against ‘straight teams’, the club has gone from strength-to-strength – as demonstrated in their most recent triumph in Vienna at the EuroGames.
Bertie Moores plays for the club and dropped us a message, asking if he could come on to share the story of the club – and we were delighted to make it happen!
Alongside first team manager Pete Ransom, we have a cracking conversation about their experiences in football, how they found Village, the difference it has made in their lives, those EuroGames matches and the success Village Manchester had there – and loads, loads more besides!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@villagemanfc on Instagram
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The Summer Recap One

Sometimes, it's good to take a little bit of time to reflect.
And that's exactly what we're doing on the podcast today - as we take a wander down memory lane to remind ourselves of some of the amazing sporting guests who have joined us over the past few months. 
Rugby, para-dressage, softball, motor-racing - they're all on the agenda today as we remind ourselves of some of the brilliant guests who have joined us since April.
So, enjoy a reminder of some of these awesome LGBTQ+ representatives in sport - and we'll return to normal service next week!
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Peter Caruth

It’s been a couple of years since we’ve had Peter Caruth on the podcast.
In fact, it was 2022, just a week or so after the Irish hockey legend and Rio Olympian opened up about his sexuality in a post on Instagram – and we’ve wanted to have him back ever since.
Today, we’re making it happen – with an episode that is every bit as good as that first one we did almost exactly two years ago.
The focus on this one is the Paris Olympics – which seems appropriate, as Peter will be one of the ambassadors at this year’s Pride House.
And the journey he’s been on to reach that stage – well, it’s honestly remarkable.
This is a story about sporting grit – about wanting to be an Olympian, the sacrifices, the highs and the lows – as well as authenticity and honesty and openness.
Oh, and there’s also a story about a cow costume as well!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@peteostrich13 on Instagram
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One on the True Grit Pride Show

On Saturday, True Grit Wrestling hosts its first-ever Pride show and, for the first time, will crown a Pride Champion.
And today on the show, we’ve got four of the individuals who will compete in that tournament to give us an idea on how professional wrestling has become more inclusive and diverse, while still retaining that unique mix of entertainment and athleticism that makes wrestling special.
Adam Bolt, Priscilla Queen of the Ring, Jason Joshua and Che Monet are all on the podcast, and it’s a fascinating conversation.
We talk about the importance of visibility, favourite matches, the need for Pride shows, the importance of this one – and loads, loads more.
You couldn’t wish for four better guests to talk about wrestling, diversity, inclusion and everything in between – and it’s amazing to have them on!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS?@Adam_Bolt@CheMonetUK@PriscillaQOTR@JasonJoshuapro @TrueGritWrestle
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
 

The One with Paul Greaves

Paul Greaves has lived and breathed trampoline for more than two decades.
By the age where most of us are still trying to figure out what we want to do with our lives, he’d set up a community club that – within a matter of years – became one of the leading ones in the entire world.
Paul counts double Olympic medallist Bryony Page amongst the athletes he’s worked with over the years – and now, Paul lectures in sport and development at the University of Stirling.
So, when Paul messaged us and said he’d fancy coming on for a chat, we were only too happy to have him on – and it’s a conversation that absolutely delivers!
It goes longer than we normally would, but it’s worth it for so many reasons – as Paul talks to us about life as an elite-level coach, his rollercoaster experience with the Rio Olympics, trying to prove to Clare Balding you’re not tipsy, coming out, being authentic, and so, so much more.
We absolutely love this chat with Paul, and we know you will as well!
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@paulgreaves01
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com
 

The One with Kirk Walker

It’s fair to say that Kirk Walker has a life that has been shaped by softball, over and over again.
The current head-coach at UCLA, Walker spent nearly two decades at Oregon State before returning to the place where he had previously been on the coaching staff between 1984-94.
Kirk has more titles and accolades than you can shake a stick at – with multiple NCAA Championships, over a dozen appearances in the Women’s College World Series, Coach of the Year awards, stints serving on the coaching team for Team USA through the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens… the list goes on and on.
Yet Kirk’s significance is also related to what he’s done as an advocate – including in 2007, when he shared his story with Outsports and became the first out gay male Division 1 coach.
Nowadays, it’s also related to his work with the Sports Equality Foundation, which promotes visibility, linking, opportunity and education for LGBTQ+ athletes – so it’s only natural for us to get him on the podcast.
This chat is a cracker for anyone who wants to find out more about what it takes to coach at the very top level, and how authenticity is such a crucial part of that – and we’re delighted that Kirk made the time to join us for it.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?sportsequalityfoundation.org GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST:@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com

The One with Arthur Webber

When Arthur Webber was growing up, football was there for him in a big way.
A kid who tried a fair few different sports and an Arsenal fan during the glory days of Arsene Wenger, he loved nothing more than playing for his school’s football team.
But when he was forced to choose between being true to who he was and continuing in the beautiful game, Arthur stepped away from football – and it was years before he felt able to return.
When he did, he made up for lost time – firstly for LeftFooters FC, and then, as a history-maker with TRUK United as the skipper of the world’s first all-transmasc eleven-a-side team, captaining them in a match that made headlines around the world.
With a book on the horizon and a passion for football in the here-and-now, you can see why we wanted to get Arthur onto the podcast – and he’s a great guest that we think you’re going to love.
From the unique reason he ended up as an Arsenal fan to becoming a role model to others, this is a chat that has a little bit of everything in it – and we’re really grateful that Arthur made the time to join us for it.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?@bernietranders on Instagram
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?@jack_murleyjack@jackmurley.com