Secondary analysis of the Sport England survey, found that coached participants are more likely to engage in sport or physical activity for at least thirty minutes on three or more days a week. And have a better diet, ie higher intake of fruit and vegetables, compared to non-coached participants.
Currently there are 7.2 million adults across the UK who receive coaching in sport and physical activity, from a coaching workforce of 3.6 million adults.
This research suggests that coaching plays a part in encouraging people to be more active, and in improving an individual’s experience of sport and physical activity. Coaching has also been proven to improve physical and mental well-being, and increase economic, individual and social development – for both coach and participant.
A broader definition of coaching now exists to recognise these wider benefits on society, as well as incorporating the traditional coaching of teaching sport specific skills and knowledge.
In order to reflect this new definition, Sports Coach UK is changing its name to UK Coaching from 22 May and realigning its objectives to support more people who use coaching skills and a wider remit of organisations that use a coaching workforce.