Sport and physical activity needs a care system that “protects everyone equally".

UK Coaching announce national campaign to provide coaches with a new hub of resources and support to aid their well-being and the well-being of their participants.

UK Coaching has launched a new hub of resources to provide extensive learning and support for the nation’s 3 million coaches, who have found themselves under increasing pressure following a number of high-profile athlete abuse investigations across major sports.

The Duty to Care Hub and Digital Badge is intended to galvanise the coaching workforce to fulfil its obligations around the education and provision of duty to care and to increase coaches’ confidence and put their own welfare, as well as the safety of their participants, at the centre of their coaching.

There can be zero tolerance for those who do not prioritise the well-being of their participants. However, the fallout from the Whyte Review has led to a significant rise in the number of coaches concerned about the fast-changing landscape and seeking guidance concerning best coaching practice.

The Duty to Care Hub will include guidance and resources on the topics of Diversity, Inclusion, Mental Health and Well-being, Physical Well-being, Safeguarding and Safe to Practice that will help coaches grow their skills, knowledge and behaviours to tackle pressing welfare issues in physical activity and sport with confidence. Additional elements include concussion, mental health support, online safety for children, the stigma surrounding menstruation and LGBT+ inclusion.

According to a recent YouGov report, commissioned by UK Coaching, 90% of participants say they have confidence and trust in their coach. This insight shows coaches are uniquely placed to provide essential ‘wraparound care’ for their participants and the support offered by UK Coaching will promote and ensure the safety, well-being, and positive experience of all individuals involved in sport and physical activity.

The announcement comes at the start of UK Coaching Week – the annual national awareness campaign which empowers athletes, coaches and the public to celebrate great coaching. As part of the campaign, UK Coaching has created a comprehensive Duty to Care Hub of learning resources, along with a Sport England-funded nationally recognised Digital Badge to equip coaches with the knowledge, behaviours and skills needed to provide the best possible care for their participants.

The Duty to Care movement will see the organisation lead on making a positive difference to the health and happiness of the nation by helping coaches understand, practice and have the highest commitment to safe sport as the foundation of great coaching practice.

Through Duty to Care, UK Coaching is also advocating for a ‘care system’ in sport and physical activity that protects everyone equally – this includes coaches, as well as the wider support system of nutritionists, physios, strength and conditioning specialists, and administrators. Duty to Care doesn’t just apply to the people being coached – by caring for themselves, coaches can bring their best selves to sessions and continue to support more people across the nation to be active.

To find out more about Duty to Care and to access the Hub, visit https://www.ukcoaching.org/duty-to-care

To find out how you can get behind UK Coaching Week visit https://www.ukcoaching.org/coaching-week