Throughout this month, I’ve been talking about changing the story children grow up with when it comes to sport and movement.
For many adults, that story includes memories of being picked last, feeling embarrassed in PE lessons or deciding at a young age that they simply weren’t sporty.
The good news is that we have the opportunity to write a different story for the next generation.
But what does that actually look like?
For me, it starts by recognising that children don’t all learn in the same way, move in the same way or experience the world in the same way.
At our recent SEND sports session, I was reminded of this in a very practical way.
I was chatting with the dad of a partially sighted boy who has been attending sessions. We were discussing his vision and how difficult it can sometimes be to know exactly what he can see. Yet when we introduced hockey, he quickly demonstrated some impressive stick control and was able to track the ball surprisingly well. His dad suggested that using a hockey stick felt similar to using his cane, meaning he already had experience using a tool to explore and interact with the world around him.
I also spent time with another child who found holding the hockey stick in the standard position uncomfortable because of his mobility difficulties. Instead of insisting on a particular technique, we allowed him to find a grip that worked for him. His determination throughout the session was brilliant to watch, and by the end he was confidently taking part alongside everyone else.
These moments reminded me that success in sport doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.
Too often, sport can become focused on doing things the “right” way. The right technique. The right level of ability. The right pace of progress.
But children are all individual. Some need adaptations. Some need more time. Some need extra encouragement. Some simply need adults who are willing to see what they can do rather than focusing on what they can’t.
That’s why I believe children don’t need to be talented to belong.
They don’t need to be the fastest, strongest or most coordinated child in the group. They don’t need perfect technique. They don’t need to fit a particular mould.
They simply need opportunities to move, explore and experience success.
This is especially important for children with SEND, who are often excluded from sporting opportunities, either intentionally or unintentionally. Many parents tell me they struggle to find activities where their child feels understood, supported and genuinely welcome.
Yet the benefits of sport and movement are often even more significant for these children. Physical activity can support coordination, confidence, communication, emotional regulation and social development, while also providing a sense of achievement and belonging.
The reality is that creating better sporting experiences for SEND children creates better sporting experiences for everyone.
When we focus on participation rather than perfection, all children benefit.
When we celebrate effort, persistence and problem-solving, all children benefit.
When we recognise that success can look different for different children, all children benefit.
Because whether a child grows up to be an athlete or not, my hope is that they leave believing movement is something they can enjoy for life.
And for me, that’s what changing the story really looks like.