The U.K. Youth Sport Coaching Workforce Report

Research shows that the coaching workforce in most countries is composed of a blend of volunteers and part-, and full-time paid
individuals. However, the exact makeup of this workforce across the youth sport participation spectrum is not well understood.
While previous studies have sought to understand the coaching landscape, very few studies have focused specifcally on the youth
sport landscape. Given the societal importance of youth sport and the positive contribution that coaches make, this is an area that
needs further attention. Using a mass survey methodology, this study aimed to create a detailed picture of the current landscape of
youth sport coaching in the United Kingdom. Findings show some similarities to previous workforce audits. For example, youth
sport coaching is primarily a voluntary activity (62%)—yet, opportunities to access paid positions have grown. Moreover,
findings also show that the youth sport workforce is not a homogenous entity. This signals the need for further research to gain an
accurate understanding of the needs and wants of coaches individually, and in their specific working environments, before
implementing any recruitment or development programmes.