In this episode I speak with Dr Balin Cupples. Balin is the current Head of Performance at the One New Zealand Warriors National Rugby League team. Balin talks about his career moving from a youth development coach into the National Rugby League and the learnings he took along the way. We discuss his background from his Masters of Sports Coaching education to his PhD research at the University of Sydney. We also discuss balancing a career in professional sport with family commitments. Balin gives us his thoughts on what qualities stand out in the head coaches he has worked with over a 9-year career in the NRL.This episode was recorded late 2022 in the preseason to the 2023 season and since recording the Warriors have gone on to record their best start in the NRL for a long time.