At UK Sport, we acknowledge that exceptional coaching is fundamental to enhancing athlete experiences and achieving competitive success. We also recognise that coaches, akin to athletes, require comprehensive support and a sense of belonging to excel.
We are dedicated to enhancing both individual and organisational capability while strengthening connections across the wider performance community and coaching sector. Our current work aligns with our UK Sport strategy and people development agenda, responding to the evolving needs of coaches, athletes, and their support teams, as well as the challenges of an increasingly complex performance environment.
Central to this is the 2032 High Performance Coaching Strategy, developed collaboratively with partners including the Home Nation Sport Councils, CIMSPA, UK Coaching and UK Sports Institute (UKSI). It reflects a collective belief that coaches are central to success and wellbeing in sport, and sets out a clear, coherent, and aligned mission - bringing partners together around five shared priorities to coordinate action, reduce duplication and amplify impact.
By working in a more joined up way, the system can create better experiences for coaches, clearer pathways for development and recognition, and stronger foundations for sustained success to 2032 and beyond.
Our current initiatives include:
- Athlete to Coach programme
- Development of a support offer that touches all coaches working with funded athletes across the UK
- In-situ coach development support
- A cross-organisational approach to improving gender equity in high performance coaching
- Support for head coaches in leadership positions
- Working in partnership with UK Coaching for pathway coach support
- Supporting Coaching in High Performance Sport (SCiHPS) programme – enabling coach development practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and experience to support world class coaching
To find out more about how we can help supporting coaches, please get in touch at coaching@uksport.gov.uk.
Mental health support for coaches
In partnership with UK Sport and the UKSI, Sporting Chance offer confidential mental health support to coaches working with athletes on UK Sport funded programmes.
This service is designed to ensure coaches have access to the same level of care and support they provide to others.
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