S7/Ep.05 - Redefining High Performance in Boys’ School Sport

About this episode

Chris Ekron discusses redefining high performance in boys' school sports by focusing on holistic development rather than just winning.

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education Podcast, Chris Ekron challenges the win-at-all-costs culture that still dominates many boys' school sports programs. The Playbook Ed cofounder and former head of sports performance at Bishops Diocesan College (South Africa) draws on his PhD research and Paul Wylleman's four-pillar model of student-athlete development to make the case for redefining high performance around the whole boy—not just the Saturday scoreboard. Discover why the real metrics of a successful sports program are process wins during the week, character growth, and whether boys still love the game long after they leave school. Ekron shares practical strategies for relational coaching, from 30-second corridor conversations to breaking down the silos between coaches, teachers, and pastoral staff, and explains how a simple schedule-mapping exercise can reveal just how little time boys have "just to be a boy." Tune in to learn how schools can build sports environments where well-being forms the foundation for performance, stakeholder expectations are managed with clarity, and every student—not just the A-team athlete—is developed to reach his personal best. IBSC…

People in this episode

Host: International Boys' Schools Coalition

Guest: Chris Ekron

Topics covered

• boys' education
• sports performance
• character development
• coaching strategies
• well-being in sports

Keywords

• high performance
• boys' school sports
• character growth
• relational coaching
• student-athlete development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bishops Diocesan College, Playbook Ed

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• S7/Ep.07 - Boys’ and Girls’ Schools Working Together · June 1, 2026 · 37 min
• S7/Ep.06 - Behind The Mask · May 8, 2026 · 32 min
• S7/Ep.04 - Boys and the Deepfake Landscape · March 10, 2026 · 28 min
• S7/Ep.03 - The Boy-Friendly School · December 12, 2025 · 41 min
• S7/Ep.02 - An Actionable Blueprint for Boys' Well-Being · November 5, 2025 · 39 min
• S7/Ep.01 - Boys, Green Spaces, and Wellbeing · September 22, 2025 · 41 min