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Coach with young people on football pitch

Engaging young people

Providing positive experiences of sport and physical activity, at a young age, can help to build the foundations of an active life.

Community clubs, groups and organisations can play a big role in providing positive experiences of sport. 

Here's how you can do this... 

Video: how to coach young people for an active life

This video is a collaboration between Sport England and UK Coaching.

What makes a great experience?  

Sport England research shows that children and young people are seeking experiences that meet the following criteria... 

Social
Organisations should aim to provide an environment where children and young people are with their friends, feel comfortable and enjoy spending time as part of their social lives. 
Interactive
Use technology, where possible, to engage children and young people.

This could be through the sessions that you offer or how you promote your offer.
Rewarding
Try to create opportunities for young people to give something back or enhance their skills, like helping to run sessions.

This can help to boost their CV and give them new experiences. 
Personalised
Ensure your offer and activities are tailored, where possible, to the needs of young people and fits in with their lives.

Your organisation should listen and respond to their needs and wants and encourage them to be part of decision-making processes. This will help to generate a sense of ownership. 
Inspiring
Find ways to inspire young people to get involved, such as by highlighting role models.

Young people also respond well to meaningful experiences that benefit them as an individual, reinforce their place in their social group or help them develop. 

Offering a ladder to young people

Why is it important to be accessible to children and young people? 

There are a wide range of benefits for being active. However, Sport England research shows that less than half of children and young people in England, aged 5-15, meet the Chief Medical Officer's recommendation of 60 minutes' activity each day.

Research also shows that young people, under 18, are increasingly less likely to volunteer in sport and physical activity. 

Organisations delivering opportunities for young people can improve lives by promoting healthy habits. Community organisations provide added value, as it's recommended that half of all physical activity should happen outside a young person's educational environment.   

Motivations

Research shows that young people want activities that are fun and enjoyable.

They will then get benefits that promote long-term healthy habits, including: increased motivation, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding.

Active young people are also happier, more resilient and trusting of their peers.

Sport England refer to these foundations of an active live as physical literacy. The more components of physical literacy that you can provide, the better. 

Benefits to your group

Providing enjoyable experiences can benefit your organisation too. 

It can: 

  • Help your organisation become more representative of your local community. 
  • Enhance your organisation’s reputation via word of mouth. 
  • Support the growth and sustainability of your organisation.

The word-of-mouth effect

Children and young people are highly influenced by their social groups. Delivering a positive experience typically results in 4-6 referrals to their peers and friends. 

Understanding children and young people  

To deliver a great experience, you'll need to understand the needs of children and young people. 

You should consider: 

  • Their age and background. 
  • Their previous experiences of sport and physical activity. 
  • Different lifestyle changes they might experience. 
  • Barriers and challenges to being active or volunteering. 
  • Other opportunities, interests or commitments competing for their leisure time. 

Practical tips on assessing needs 

Explore how you can meet young people's needs through the opportunities and activities that you offer.

Consider the following: 

  • What is important to the children and young people within your organisation?
  • What is motivating them to attend? 
  • Ask children and young people what they want and what an enjoyable experience would include. 
  • Follow up after activities, to ask them what they enjoyed and what they would change. 
  • Consider whether past experiences of sport have shaped their views on taking part or volunteering. 
  • Consider the individual personalities, circumstances and life stages of the young people you want to attract - for example, are they going through a big life event such as starting secondary school?
  • Consider their demographics - for example, are they from a group that is traditionally under-represented in sport, like an ethnically diverse community or lower income family? 

 

Word cloud for young people

Positive associations with sports and exercise groups

Research shows that there are a number of different words that children and young people associate with a great experience.

These are shown within this word cloud.

Incorporating as many of these as you can, within the activities and services that you offer, will help you to deliver a fantastic experience for the more junior members of your group... 

Children & young people - words that encourage them to take part in sport and exercise