Transcript
ELEANOR QUESTED
Our research has really highlighted a novel and practical way that we can look to reverse the rising trends in obesity via creating more empowering environments in youth sport. Essentially, what this programme does, we go out to work with coaches from local clubs, from community sport settings and help them to really understand the motivational processes that we're operating.
So to what degree a coach is able to create an atmosphere in the coaching setting that helps the kids feel a greater sense of autonomy. That they have a voice and choice and are contributing. That helps their children feel respected and connected and feel more competent in their football.
The coaches are expressing that they are changing the language they use. So the way they communicate with the players and the young children is changing. And we're also seeing changes in the approach they take to organising activities and drills so that, essentially, in everything they're saying and doing, they're able to continue to support those children's feelings of autonomy, belonging, and competence.
TERRY VENABLES
I've coached for about 20 years now in grassroots football. Yes, it has been quite a very radical departure for us. We moved away from drill-based practises into small-sided games. We were looking at heightening the participation and enjoyment factors.
We noticed that quite quickly that the children seemed to be enjoying their sessions a lot more, and they were participating better, and they were beginning to take on problem-solving as well. They were solving problems produced by football within the game itself.
ELEANOR QUESTED
We've been continuing conversations with sport governing bodies to discuss the possibility of integrating this as part of their coach education systems. And we are also quite excited to have recently started a project funded by Sport Wales in which we are looking to bring this coach education programme to PE teachers. So essentially, if we can help to empower children within the PE setting, then they will, hopefully, develop a lifelong love for sports and stay active out of the PE setting.