Play Their Way and British Cycling Gear Up to educate Coaches on Child-First Coaching Principles
News by Dave Reed
Coaches from across the UK hit the National Cycling Centre for a high‑energy day of workshops and BMX action, all centred on child‑first coaching. The event powered up their toolkit for creating playful, rider‑led experiences that keep young cyclists buzzing.
Bringing Coaches Together for a Child‑First Cycling Experience
Play Their Way, the national movement championing child‑first coaching, partnered with British Cycling to host a dedicated Coach Engagement Day at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester. On Saturday 28 March, grassroots coaches from across the UK gathered at the iconic velodrome and BMX track for a full day of learning, reflection and hands‑on coaching experience – all centred on putting children at the heart of sport.
Learning Through Workshops, Practice and Real‑World Coaching
Throughout the day, coaches explored how to embed child‑first principles into their own sessions to boost enjoyment, participation and development for young riders. Workshops included a children’s rights and child‑first coaching session led by UNICEF UK, along with a practical BMX coaching masterclass delivered by UK Coaching and British Cycling practitioners.
Local young riders from Manchester clubs joined the practical sessions, giving coaches the chance to observe and practise child‑first methods in a real coaching environment on the BMX track. Coaches also had the unique opportunity to ride the track themselves, gaining first‑hand insight to support their future coaching.
Grassroots coaches shape young people’s cycling experiences. Play Their Way offered a brilliant opportunity to bring coaches together and show that play and a child-first approach are at the heart of our coaching framework and philosophy. We deliberately place rider-led coaching at the centre of our approach, so young people stay engaged, keep developing, and are excited to come back to cycling.
Jo Howson, Head of Learning and Volunteering at British Cycling
Inspiring the Next Generation of Coaches
Elite cyclists Blaine Hunt and Harry Tanner attended throughout the day, engaging with coaches as they begin their own journeys into coaching. The event formed part of the wider Play Their Way programme of Coach Engagement Days delivered with National Governing Bodies to celebrate grassroots coaches and help them create positive, inclusive sporting experiences for all children and young people.
It was fantastic to work with British Cycling to bring together coaches from across the sport for a day focused on child-first coaching. Events like these celebrate what child-first coaching looks like in practice and provides coaches with practical tools they can take back to their clubs and sessions, to support their delivery.
Rebecca McAulay, Head of Campaigns at Play Their Way
Play Their Way is a national campaign led by a collective of partner organisations that make up the Children’s Coaching Collaborative (CCC) and is funded by Sport England and The National Lottery. It aims to transform children’s sports experiences by empowering coaches and organisations to put children’s voices, choices and journeys at the heart of coaching.
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling in Great Britain, responsible for developing and supporting cycling at all levels from grassroots participation through to elite competition.
For more information, visit www.playtheirway.org to explore child-first coaching resources and join the movement.