Intro
Student sport is powered by people who work in it. From the staff who coordinate programmes and develop strategy, to the students who lead clubs, the volunteers who give their time, the coaches who support athletes and the officials who make competition possible. Every part of the student sport experience depends on people having the skills, confidence and support to do what they do well. Our work in this space is all about supporting the whole community who strive to deliver across student sport.
We recognise that people have different roles, experiences and development needs. Our approach is therefore about creating a broad range of opportunities that can support people at different stages of their journey whether they be students or staff. That means creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds and with different experiences to contribute, developing clear pathways for progression, recognising the value of volunteering and ensuring people feel supported in the roles they take on.
Staff Development
The staff working within our member institutions play a vital role in shaping the student sport experience. Our aim is to support people not only to develop in their current roles, but to build the confidence, knowledge and connections that enable them to contribute to the wider development of student sport.
We support staff through opportunities to connect and network, share practice, develop their knowledge and learn from colleagues across the sector. Through conferences, networks, knowledge sessions, communities of practice and other development opportunities, we create space for staff to explore challenges together, develop new skills and bring new ideas back to their institutions.
Student Development
Students are at the heart of the student sport workforce with countless volunteering hours given up every year to coach, officiate, lead and organise student sport clubs.
Every year, students take on roles as club committee members, coaches, officials, volunteers, leaders and organisers. For many students, involvement in sport is an opportunity to develop skills, confidence and experiences that they can carry into their future careers and communities. Leadership, coaching, officiating, volunteering and organising all provide pathways for students to continue contributing to sport long after they graduate. By investing in students as part of the sport workforce, we are therefore investing in the wider sporting community.
Our work includes opportunities to gain skills and qualifications, such as our Reffin’ Brilliant and Coach Like a Girl programmes (funding for which opens in October 2026) and support for students to build meaningful experiences through their involvement in sport.