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The national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity

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Working together to ensure positive coaching environments

In March, the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) published a report on coaching disabled people. Here, EFDS provides an update on the ongoing support given through sports coach uk, to ensure coaching environments become a more positive experience for disabled people of all ages.

The key findings in the report included:

  • Eight in 10 adults, disabled and non-disabled, say taking part in coached sport increased their enjoyment of the sport. 
  • Coaching can have a positive impact on disabled people’s experiences, but coaches need further education to ensure that disabled people’s experiences are equivalent to their non-disabled peers.
  • Young people are less likely to agree that coached sport improved their enjoyment– seven in 10 young non-disabled people agree, and fewer young disabled people- only six in 10.
  • Disabled people feel coaches are less likely to be able to deal with any problems that they may have, set goals or monitor progress. 
  • Young disabled people also feel that coaches are less effective at being able to communicate with them and make sessions fun.

EFDS has formed a long term relationship with sports coach UK. Together, we strive for coaching environments where everyone is challenged to think and deliver inclusively, regardless of coaching level or sport. Ultimately, this shows good coaching practice.  With this in mind we want the workforce to access inclusive training throughout their coach and education pathway.

As well as positive environments, the principle aim of this work is to create more memorable experiences for disabled people, so they can start being active and remain in sport. Whilst there is some exceptional practice, all organisations recognise that there is still a lot more to do to ensure disabled people can be active for life.

Most recently, this is highlighted through the delivery of the Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training, supporting the review of the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) and working in partnership alongside the other Home Country Disability Sport Organisations through the UK education and training group. 

We hope to build on this supporting sports coach UK through the proposed changes to the UKCC, specific Continuing Professional Development workshops, and a focus on diversifying the workforce. EFDS’s growing research on engaging disabled people in physical activity and sport means our understanding will help sports coach UK to learn more on how to apply the insight within a coaching context. EFDS look forward to working with sports coach UK in making this happen.

To find out more about Sainsbury's Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training, please contact Kat Southwell ksouthwell@efds.co.uk or telephone 01509 227751.