At London Youth Games, we believe sport should be for everyone. That’s why we’re on a mission to create the world’s largest and most inclusive city-focused Games, ensuring that young people of all abilities, needs and backgrounds can benefit from physical activity. 

With coaching resources in high demand and under strain, we launched the LYG Inclusive Coaches Programme – designed to develop and champion inclusive sports delivery within London Youth Games and beyond.  

This weekend, we ran our first LYG Inclusive Coaches workshop of the 2025 season, delivered by Activity Alliance. Twenty-one passionate coaches took part, gaining strategies to adapt activities for different needs – using tools like the STEP model – while building confidence and new connections with fellow coaches. 

LYG runs over 25 inclusive events each year across the Open Games and School Games. Last season, 1,681 young people with SEND participated, but we know there are still too many young people missing out on the benefits of sport and physical activity. The Inclusive Coaches Programme aims to change that. 

Through compulsory workshops – including Inclusive Coaching Philosophies and Principles, a Sport & Intersectionality workshop and a Coachwise Session – we’re providing coaches with direct training on how to support people with all needs and abilities more effectively. 

Reshaun, a coach involved in the programme, shared: “So far, we’ve learned more methods to adapt our coaching sessions and tailor them toward all needs, which is really important to make sure everyone is included. In the coming months, I particularly want to know more about para games in the London Youth Games and also gain more points for CPD training” 

Sally, a coach involved in the programme, added: “I’m trying to now personally start up a SEN programme so that we can support some of the SEND needs of local children and their families as there’s a massive gap at the moment with support for them in the community.  Already from what I’ve gained today, I gained the confidence to put good programmes together, and start implementing them straight away.” 

Want to champion inclusive sports delivery within LYG and beyond?​ Learn more about the programme here:  http://londonyouthgames.org/inclusive-coaches  

You can also email us at info@londonyouthgames.org