The Play Their Way Community Builder programme is exploring how child‑first coaching, grounded in children’s rights, can be embedded across diverse localities and coaching contexts.
The programme’s second phase of funding, running from 2026 to 2027, will aim to embed lasting change in coaching practice, organisational culture and the systems and networks that shape how coaches develop.
Sustainability is the focus of this phase. Changes made during the programme should continue to grow long after it ends.
How To Apply
Expressions of interest are open now until Tuesday 30th June 2026
Apply to become one of three Identified Organisations or one of three Regional Hubs, depending on what best suits your organisation. Applications can be submitted in any file format and should be no longer than three pages. We want to hear your authentic voice.
Full details and submission guidance are available in the expression of interest documents for organisations and hubs. Submissions should be sent by email to in**@**********ay.org by 30 June 2026.
There are two ways to get involved in this newly evolved programme. Both pathways will provide funding to help organisations get things off the ground. See which path suits your organisation or circumstances best.
Organisations
We have three contracts for organisations to join Play Their Way for an immersive 18-month journey.
The aim is to spark a movement from within, championing child voice across your organisation’s entire culture.
Together, we’ll grow your own child-first advocates and Coaching Guides, and help shape a national community of practice.
Regional Hubs
We want three regional hubs to spread child‑first coaching across their networks. We want to spark new ideas and reach communities beyond the programme’s reach. A hub could be:
- Network amplifiers with wide regional influence
- A sport or sector body rooted deeply in grassroots relationships
- Community anchors with unmatched proximity to underserved young people
Download an Expression of Interest form
Phase 2 is not only designed for the largest or most established organisations. It is designed for the right ones.
Both programmes are backed by funding. This allows us to focus on organisations and hubs with a genuine commitment to child-first coaching, the conditions to sustain this work, and the will to make it last beyond the life of the programme.
We are looking for diversity across the partners we select. Different sports and activity areas, different locations, different communities, and different populations of children.
Three organisations that look the same will generate narrower learning and less transferable insight.
We are particularly committed to ensuring that the programme reaches coaching communities and populations that are currently underserved. We’re actively seeking out hubs and organisations with reach into communities where formal coaching pathways have limited presence and the case for child-first coaching is most urgent.
