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

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.

Coach Survey
READ THE REPORT
Participant Survey
READ THE REPORT
Coaches Report
READ THE WRITTEN REPORT
Participants Report
READ THE WRITTEN REPORTA Spotlight On...

Coach Developers
READ THE REPORT
The Coaching Workforce
READ THE REPORT
Social Grade
READ THE REPORTRegional Reports

England
READ THE REPORT
Northern Ireland
READ THE REPORT
Scotland
READ THE REPORT
Wales
READ THE REPORTCoaching 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.

Coach Survey
READ THE REPORT
Participant Survey
READ THE REPORTA Spotlight On...

Community to High Performance
READ THE REPORT
Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions
READ THE REPORTRegional Reports

North of England
READ THE REPORT
South of England
READ THE REPORT
Scotland
READ THE REPORT
Wales
READ THE REPORTCoaching 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 Survey
READ THE REPORT
Participant Survey
READ THE REPORT
Statistical Report: Coach Survey
READ THE REPORT
Statistical Report: Participant Survey
READ THE REPORTA Spotlight On...
Increasing Activity
READ THE REPORT
Gender
READ THE REPORTCoaching 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 Coaching Workforce
READ THE REPORT
Coached Participation
READ THE REPORT
Public Perceptions
READ THE REPORTA Spotlight On...

Experience of Being a Coach
READ THE REPORT
Coach Preferences
READ THE REPORTUK 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

Our Research
SEE THE RESEARCH
How to Get into Coaching
READ THE GUIDE