Inclusive Coaches programme returns for 2026 season
Twenty coaches from 18 London boroughs came together on 1 March 2026 for the first session of the 2026 Inclusive Coaches programme at LSBU Active.
The first session of the programme was designed to equip coaches with the knowledge, tools and confidence to create more welcoming and accessible sporting environments for all participants.
The day opened with an Introduction to Inclusive Delivery workshop, where coaches were introduced to the STEPS principles; Space, Task, Equipment and People. Through practical discussion and scenario-based learning, the group explored creative adaptations to remove barriers to participation and ensure more young people with diverse needs can take part in sport.
The second session focused on safeguarding principles, providing clear guidance and practical advice for coaches to implement within their own coaching environments.
The afternoon then led into a Neurodiversity in Sport workshop delivered by Access Sport. Coaches developed their understanding of how to better support neurodivergent participants, including those with dyspraxia, dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome, autism, ADHD and more. The workshop explored how neurodivergence can impact confidence and engagement in sport, while offering practical strategies to adapt coaching sessions accordingly.
The workshop also provided insight into how different neurodivergences may present in sporting environments, including stimming behaviours, heightened excitement and demand avoidance, and encouraged coaches to respond with empathy, flexibility and understanding.
For many attendees, the day was insightful and valuable.
Iffat, a cycling coach from Harrow, said: “For me, it was valuable to look across different sports and learn how different sports can be made to be inclusive. It opened my eyes to understand neurodiversity in sports and I’m going to use a lot of what we’ve learnt today and take it into my coaching.”
Georgie, a football coach from Croydon, added: “Today was really refreshing and engaging. The sessions provided good insight into how I can continue to put inclusion first in my coaching, by using STEPS principles in my session plans. I really enjoyed it.”
Steph, a squash coach from Barnet, described the session as “enlightening and broadening,” explaining: “What I found valuable was thinking about applying inclusion to all sporting environments, reminding myself about the importance of safeguarding and thinking about how I can make sporting provision more accessible.”
The Inclusive Coaches introductory session set the foundation for the rest of the 2026 Inclusive Coaches programme season, which will include three more formal training sessions and a practical LYG event day. By the end of the programme, coaches will feel empowered to develop and champion inclusive sports delivery within LYG and beyond, ensuring more young Londoners can access sport and physical activity.
Learn more about the programme here: http://londonyouthgames.org/inclusive-coaches