Sports coaching programme Boing Kids in the running for national award

A research-led programme co-designed by University of Gloucestershire to make physical activity more playful and inclusive for primary aged schoolchildren has been shortlisted for a national award.

Boing Kids – a collaboration between the University, Oxford Brookes University and Sport England – is among the finalists in the 2021 UK Coaching Awards’ Transforming Coaching category.

As well as supporting children, the programme aims to develop the knowledge, confidence and expertise in coaches, teachers and volunteers working with young people in diverse sport and education settings through the UK.

Will Roberts, Academic Course Leader for Sport Coaching Science at the University, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted in the Transforming Coaching category at this year’s UK Coaching Awards – it’s a real honour for everyone involved in the project.

“We’d like to thank all the teachers, coaches and community groups whose responses to our online and face-to-face interviews, questionnaires and workshops have provided us with an important resource to continually develop the programme.

“We’d also like to thank Sport England and UK Coaching, who are such great partners, for their continued support.

“Through our continuing research and feedback from practitioners, Boing Kids is able to make physical activity more playful and inclusive for children by enhancing the skills and knowledge of the coaches and teachers facilitating the activities.

“Our aim is to encourage children to be physically active throughout their life in a way that is not exclusively for the ‘sporty’ children in any group.”

The winners of the 2021 UK Coaching Awards, which are among the most prestigious within the coaching community, will be announced on December 7.