Sport in Schools - Importance, obstacles and solutions with Will Roberts

Who’s our guest?

Will is the Chief Operating Officer of the national children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust and led the process for the creation of their new strategy Inspiring Changemakers, Building Belonging which sets significant ambitions to 2035 and was launched in May 2022. Having joined the Youth Sport Trust in 2007 to run the then UK School Games (now School Games National Finals) as part of a drive to transform competition and talent support pathways in school and community sport, Will had the role of leading the Games in 2012 using the venues that would later that summer host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

On graduating from Loughborough University and going on to complete a Master’s degree, Will worked in the fitness industry and as a sports coach in his home city of Stoke-on-Trent before joining the staff of Volleyball England as the lead for youth development in the sport. He has also been an elected Board member for Volleyball England, a member of the Youth Development Committee for the European Volleyball Federation, and currently sits as an independent on the Badminton England selection committees. Will’s passion remains in coaching, and he can be seen coaching both girls’ and boys' groups football and volleyball every week in his local community in North Staffordshire as a volunteer coach and a club chair.

What do we discuss?

• The importance of physical education, sport, and physical activity for children's development.
• The impact of collaboration with school leadership teams to promote sustainability and physical curriculum enhancement.
• Will’s background in sports coaching.
• Emphasis on personal growth through coaching experiences.
• Significance of creating a sense of belonging in community sports activities.
• Why aligning goals with leadership missions is important?
• Understanding the value, you bring to children.
• Celebrating student achievements both in and out of school.
• How to inspire change-makers within your team or organisation.