Co-Sport Initiative
At UK Coaching, we are committed to strengthening and diversifying the coaching workforce across performance pathways and high-performance sport. Through the Co-Sport Initiative, we work in partnership with National Governing Bodies of Sport to build internal coach development capability and create environments where coaches from all backgrounds can thrive in performance pathways.
Rather than delivering coach development directly, the initiative supports sports to identify and develop experienced coaches and coach developers who can lead learning within their own systems. This approach embeds strong learning cultures inside each sport while ensuring that coaches from underrepresented backgrounds are better supported to progress.
Two Pathways for Sports to Engage With
1. Leadership Change Partnership
A tailored offer for individuals in leadership roles who are responsible for shaping the culture and structures within their sport. This pathway focuses on supporting leaders to create the conditions that enable a more diverse, inclusive and representative coaching workforce in the performance pathway. Leaders are part of a supported cohort looking to build their capability in influencing change, strengthening pathways, and developing equitable environments for coaching progression.
2. Coach Development Workforce Partnership
A focused support offer for emerging coach developers from underrepresented backgrounds who are looking to grow their skills, confidence and practice. Through one-to-one and community-based learning, these individuals are supported to facilitate learning environments and provide effective support for coaches within their sport’s performance pathway.
Who It Is For
National Governing Bodies of Sport seeking to:
- Strengthen internal coach development capability
- Build peer learning cultures within performance pathways
- Develop leaders and coach developers
- Create more inclusive and supportive environments for diverse coaches
Programme Approach
Each year, the initiative works with a small number of sports to develop practice based learning communities that sit within the sport’s own performance coaching environments.
Working collaboratively with each NGB, the programme supports:
- Identification of emerging coach developers who can facilitate peer learning
- Development of communities of practice to share insights and strengthen reflective practice
- Growth of internal coach development capability
- Creation of supportive learning environments for coaches from under represented backgrounds
Key Elements of the Partnership
The initiative typically includes:
- An initial consultation to understand the sport’s coaching environment and priorities
- Ongoing support for leaders and/or coach developers
- Structured opportunities for leaders and coach developers to learn together, reflect, and share experiences
- Guided reflection to strengthen long-term coach development capability inside the sport
What Participating Sports Gain
Sports engaging with the Co-Sport Initiative will:
- Build internal capacity to support coach learning and development
- Strengthen peer learning cultures within performance coaching environments
- Improve conditions for coaches from under represented backgrounds
- Develop coach developers as facilitators of learning
- Strengthen progression pathways for coaches and coach developers
Role of the Initiative
The Co-Sport Initiative empowers sports to lead their own coach development. Emerging coach developers take the lead in facilitating learning, ensuring that growth is rooted in the reality of the sport’s performance environment and sustainable beyond the life of the programme.
Intended Impact
Over time, the initiative aims to:
- Strengthen learning cultures within performance coaching environments
- Broaden access to development and progression opportunities
- Support a more diverse, representative and sustainable coaching workforce