When we turn on the television and go to the sports channels, what do we see? Rugby, Football, Soccer, Cricket; You name it. These sports hog the main channels. Unfortunately, this takes away exposure that other non-mainstream sports could be getting. Far more people would partake in these non-mainstream sports if they saw them on TV. Sports like chess, volleyball, and field hockey, would be way more popular. Call it negligence, ignorance or manipulation. Either way, the youth of today should have the opportunity to watch a variety of different sports. It should not be about which industry has more money pumped into it. It is easy to see that we live in a technological age that changes according to what is popular. (Or is it the other way round?) Even though some sports may struggle getting tv time, there are other avenues for them to flourish in. One, in particular, is podcasts. With the birth of iTunes and the means to share music, apps, films and more, so too came the world of podcasting. Whether it be for entertainment, educational or informative purposes, podcasts are here to stay. And with that in mind, let’s cut to the chase. Here are a couple of podcasts that shed light on popular non-mainstream sports:
1. Ask The Coach Show | Table Tennis
Being quite popular in China, Korea, and Australia, Table Tennis is particularly overlooked. Luckily this podcast covers everything about this sport. Leading this podcast we find an invaluable Olympic and Paralympic coach, Alois Rosario. Joining him is the well-known Olympian, Jeff Plumb. They cover current news in the industry, listener questions, and how to improve your swing. Whether a novice or expert, this podcast is beneficial to all who listen.
2. RowingChat
Dip your feet in the water with this podcast! With the help of Rebecca Caroe, get insight into the global rowing community. Each week she features different guests such as rowers and coaches. Listeners get to hear their experiences and any advice to help them improve. This is but another friendly and open podcast to enjoy.
3. Finishers Podcast: Mixed Martial Arts, Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle
Mixed Martial Arts isn’t going anywhere. This is a full contact combat sport that is continuously growing in popularity. Zach Maslany and JM Holland speak about their training in MMA Academy, coaching, and competing. Regardless of the use of profanities, this podcast is entertaining, insightful and educational. The energy in this podcast is a true reflection of the energy you get from participating in MMA.
4. Trinity Force Podcast — A League of Legends Podcast
There is much debate about whether to classify competing in League of Legends as a sport or not. Based on this games ability to bring people together and create comradery, it is on this list. Like other sports, League of Legends requires teamwork and effort. To cover all that in great detail, Trinity Force Podcast breaks it down perfectly. With great insight into game patches, champion breakdowns, and lane tips, these men have got you covered.
5. Deep Look | Ultimate Frisbee
With conversation about adding ultimate frisbee to the Olympics in 2028, and a professional league starting to get attention from ESPN, its a sport growing quickly in popularity. Most people have participated in a fun game of pick-up frisbee, but there’s a whole world of competitive frisbee happening with professional, club, and college teams competing worldwide. Ultiworld, a website for frisbee news, hosts a weekly podcast with in-depth conversation over the sport. From discussing upcoming tournaments, stand out players, and the latest news on the sport, It’s a great podcast to learn the basics and stay up to date on the latest in the sport.
Podcasts connect and bring people together. They encourage a difference in opinion and solving solutions in their various communities. They create unity and a sense of belonging to its listeners. Podcasts do what other platforms can do and even more.
