The LYG Inclusive Coaches Project is an exciting new coaching programme designed to increase the number of young disabled people participating in sport by providing coaches with the confidence and competence to include all young Londoners in their Athletics sessions.

Sport England research shows that disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people. The LYG Inclusive Coaches Project will provide opportunities for young disabled people to lead more active lives by recruiting and upskilling coaches to be able to deliver inclusive training sessions.

The project is free and open to coaches or PE teachers with relevant qualifications who want to develop their ability to coach inclusively, or aspiring Athletics coaches with experience of working with disabled young people, who still want to obtain their qualifications. Coaches with lived experience of disability or those that have worked with disabled athletes previously are also encouraged to apply.

The coaches selected for the project will benefit from a first-class mentoring programme delivered by an expert Athletics coach with experience of working with young disabled people in London, a British Athletics coaching qualification, and a place on Activity Alliance’s Inclusive Activity Programme.

LYG CEO, Andy Dalby-Welsh, said: “We believe sport is a right for all. We’re delighted to be working with our partner Nike, and with the support of British Athletics and Activity Alliance, to deliver the LYG Inclusive Coaches Project. By providing coaches with the training and resources needed to create fun, accessible and inclusive coaching sessions, we will open the door for many more young people to get involved in the sport of Athletics, enabling them to lead more active lives, and to benefit from the improved physical health and mental wellbeing that sport brings.”

Successful applicants will commit to coaching alongside their mentor for a minimum of 15 hours and delivering an additional 30 hours of training at a London Athletics club. The project will run from March until July with the aim of coaching young people to compete at LYG Para Games Athletics events and other integrated and inclusive Athletics opportunities. The coaches will begin their training online, in line with the latest government guidance, and will play an important role in bringing young people back to Athletics following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Job King, Paralympic Talent Development Coordinator at British Athletics, said: “British Athletics strongly believe the LYG Inclusive Coaches Project will have a huge influence on coaching and coaches by providing these real life influencers with skills to adapt training, knowledge about impairments and encouragement from mentors. A confident coach with these tools will be able to deliver great inclusive training sessions, identify potential, and best prepare athletes for their first competition…. and beyond.”

Applications for the LYG Inclusive Coaches Project are now open. Coaches wanting to apply must complete a short application form here explaining why they would like to be selected. The deadline for applications is 26th February. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application by 3rd March. Further information about the project can be found here.