Coaching in the UK

Article Article

by UK Coaching

Statistical summaries of data exploring the experience of being coached and coaching in the UK in 2024, 2022, 2019 and 2017

Sports coach laughing in huddle with team

Coaching in the UK, 2024

In 2024, UK Coaching partnered with YouGov to conduct a nationwide survey examining the state of coaching across the UK. The survey aimed to gather insights from and about coaches, providing valuable data to guide UK Coaching’s strategic priorities.

More than 30,000 adults (18+) participated, offering a comprehensive view of coaching prevalence, tracking changes since previous studies in 2019 and 2022, and detailing the demographic profile of coaches.

The key findings are presented below in two statistical reports. In addition, 9 spotlight reports offer in-depth analysis on key areas such as coach gender, social grade, ethnicity, pathways from community to high performance, disability and long-term health conditions, education, coach development and the paid vs voluntary coaching landscape.

coaching-for-all-body-image

Coach Survey

READ THE REPORT
developing-self-belief-in-your-participants-top-image

Participant Survey

READ THE REPORT
Recommended-Guidance-on-the-Standards-for-the-Deployment-of-Coaches

Coaches Report

READ THE WRITTEN REPORT
creating-individual-development-plans-with-your-participants-top-image

Participants Report

READ THE WRITTEN REPORT

A Spotlight On...

adaptability-skill-acquisition-canoe-3

Community to High Performance

READ THE REPORT
wheelchair-disabled-children

Disability

READ THE REPORT
pe-physical-education-ropes-top-image

Education

READ THE REPORT
uk-coaching-coach-development-programmes-2023-10

Coach Developers

READ THE REPORT
guide-to-understanding-environment-volunteer

The Coaching Workforce

READ THE REPORT
young-people-friendship-group-social

Social Grade

READ THE REPORT

Regional Reports

in-your-corner-england-boxing-community-club-support-thumbnail

England

READ THE REPORT
A-white-female-sports-coach-shows-children-an-exercise-with-hoops-in-a-physical-education-session

Northern Ireland

READ THE REPORT

Coaching in the UK, 2022

In 2022, UK Coaching commissioned YouGov to conduct a national survey focusing on coaching in the UK. The objective of the national survey was to explore the opinion of coaches and coaching and inform UK Coaching’s key objectives as an organisation.

Over 30,000 adults aged 18+ were surveyed to help measure the incidence of coaches in the UK, analyse any changes since when the research was last conducted in 2017 and 2019, and build a picture of the demographic characteristics of these coaches.

The main findings can be viewed below as two statistical reports.

In addition, eight new spotlight reports have been published from the survey which delve deeper into areas including coach gender, social grade, ethnicity, community to high performance, disability and long-term health condition, education and coach development.

basketball-coach-in-school

Coach Survey

READ THE REPORT
coaching-in-the-uk-2022-participant

Participant Survey

READ THE REPORT

A Spotlight On...

coaching-in-the-uk-coach-developer-spotlight

Coach Developers

READ THE REPORT
tutor-workshop-blog

Education

READ THE REPORT
using-coaching-to-tackle-the-risk-of-radicalisation-top-image

Community to High Performance

READ THE REPORT
Inclusive-Activity-Programme-top-image

Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions

READ THE REPORT
shining-a-light-on-diversity-in-coaching-top-image

Ethnicity

READ THE REPORT
coaching-the-person-top-image-another

Social Grade

READ THE REPORT

Regional Reports

coaching-in-the-uk-2022-englandjpg

England

READ THE REPORT
coaching-in-the-uk-2022-midlands

Midlands

READ THE REPORT
coaching-in-the-uk-2022-northern-ireland

Northern Ireland

READ THE REPORT
coaching-in-the-uk-2022-north-of-england

North of England

READ THE REPORT
coaching-in-the-uk-2022-south-of-england

South of England

READ THE REPORT

Coaching in the UK, 2019

In 2019, UK Coaching commissioned YouGov to carry out the largest-ever survey of coaching in the UK. Over 50,000 adults and 2,000 children (aged 7 to 17) were surveyed to explore the incidence of coaching and to understand the profile and experience of coaches and coached participants. 

The main findings can be viewed below as two statistical reports and two summary reports. 

Additionally, eight new reports have been published from the survey, specifically focusing on coach wellbeing, social grade, maximising potential, increasing activity, gender, disability, BAME and coach development. 

coach-wellbeing-webinar-wendy-russell-thumbnail

Coach Survey

READ THE REPORT
Adults-running-outside

Participant Survey

READ THE REPORT
a-male-coach-giving-high-five

Statistical Report: Coach Survey

READ THE REPORT
back-to-netball-top-image

Statistical Report: Participant Survey

READ THE REPORT

A Spotlight On...

coach-leads-yoga-group

Coach Well-being

READ THE REPORT
young-person-doing-padwork-with-coach-jpg

Social Grade

READ THE REPORT
tips-young-people-motivation

Maximising Potential

READ THE REPORT
man-boxing-jpg

Increasing Activity

READ THE REPORT
baskin-wheelchair-basketball-top-image

Disability

READ THE REPORT
richard-cheetham-holds-up-a-plastic-boat-at-research-conference-2018

Coach Development

READ THE REPORT

Coaching in the UK, 2017

UK Coaching commissioned YouGov to survey 20,000 adults and 1,000 children in 2017. The primary aim of the survey was to explore the experience of receiving coaching and the experience of being a coach.

The survey incorporated a broader definition of coaching, to include anyone involved in or receiving coaching across the whole sport and physical activity sector.

Additionally, eight new reports have been published from the survey, specifically focusing on ethnicity, gender, experience of being a coach and Mental and Physical Health in the coaching workforce.

the-person-like-me-approach-to-engaging-a-diverse-coach-workforce

The Coaching Workforce

READ THE REPORT
cycling-participation-coach

Coached Participation

READ THE REPORT
group-of-children-and-coach-hands-in

Public Perceptions

READ THE REPORT

A Spotlight On...

south-asian-action-plan-top-image_1

Ethnicity

READ THE REPORT
essential-guide-mental-health-wellbeing-duty-to-care

Mental and Physical Health

READ THE REPORT
A-white-male-and-female-coach-stand-side-by-side-in-conversation

Experience of Being a Coach

READ THE REPORT
adult-being-coached-table-tennis

Coach Preferences

READ THE REPORT
gymnastics-goal-setting

Coach Setting

READ THE REPORT
breaking-down-barriers-tackling-racism-in-sport-elearning-thumbnail

Coach Barriers

READ THE REPORT
active-partnerships-consultation-event-thumbnail

Inactive Coaches

READ THE REPORT

UK Coaching Duty to Care Digital Badge

Earn our free nationally recognised Digital Badge by demonstrating your knowledge of the six pillars of Duty to Care (Diversity, Inclusion, Physical Well-being, Mental Health and Well-being, Safeguarding and Safe to Practice).

Related Resources

Two coaches watching a match

Our Research

SEE THE RESEARCH
how-to-get-into-coaching-sport-england-coach-stock-16

How to Get into Coaching

READ THE GUIDE

Coach Learning Framework

EXPLORE THE FRAMEWORK
Share