UK Coaching Week
The annual national awareness campaign which empowers coaches, clubs and the public to celebrate great coaching
Theme: Purposeful PlayUK Coaching Week 2026: Purposeful Play
#PlayItForward
We’re celebrating the power of purposeful play - showing how well-designed, playful activities help both children and adults learn, develop and thrive. Explore ideas that put play at the heart of meaningful learning and support participants to build a lifelong love of being active.
Share a Game and #PlayItForward
- Record a short video or share a written post about a game or activity you love doing in coaching sessions and why it works.
- Share it on your social channels and encourage others to get involved by showing how they bring purposeful play to life.
- Tag UK Coaching and use #PlayItForward and #UKCoachingWeek to spread the message and join the celebration.
Video can make a powerful impact, and a 30‑second clip is ideal. Briefly describe or demonstrate the activity and explain why you enjoy it.
Not recording a video? You can also take part by resharing play‑related content that’s inspired you, including games, activities or ideas from your own coaching, your club or the wider coaching community. Simply tag UK Coaching and use #PlayItForward #UKCoachingWeek
If you’d prefer not to share on social media, you can still take part. Simply email your video or written activity description to [email protected].
The Playbook
Sign up for a free UK Coaching Club membership to receive the Playbook on 8th July.
The Playbook is a collection of games and activities created by coaches, for coaches - designed to get people moving, connecting and learning together.
Each activity can be adapted to suit different ages, abilities and environments, making it easy to use in your own sessions.
Exploring Purposeful Play
Find resources, videos and bite-size learning to help you better understand purposeful play and, importantly, how to use it in your sessions.
What is Purposeful Play?
Explore what purposeful play really means and how it supports learning and development.
READ MORE
Play for Performance
Discover how play can raise challenge, sharpen performance and deepen learning.
LEARN MORE
Children's Right to Play
Put children first by protecting their right to play within coaching environments.
LEARN MORE
#PlayItForward
Coaches are sharing the games they love, check out this example. Why not share one of your own?
WATCH HERE
Inclusion in Play
Unlock playful experiences that are inclusive, accessible and open to everyone.
LEARN MORE
Play That Lasts
Turn playful moments into lasting impact by embedding play for the long term.
LEARN MOREStay Connected
Stay connected with UK Coaching Week by exploring our social media channels. Search #UKCoachingWeek and #PlayItForward to find all the inspiring videos and ideas shared, or click the icons below to see how coaches, clubs and participants bring purposeful play to life.
Clubs & Organisations: #PlayItForward Comms Pack
Help us #PlayItForward by supporting the week on your channels. We've made it really simple. Download the comms pack to access ready-to-use posts and campaign graphics.
DOWNLOADOfficial Partners
