10 reasons to attend the AoC Sport National Conference 2021

There is just over two months to go until the AoC Sport National Conference, sponsored by NCFE, which will take place online from 12-13 May. For the first time staff can attend breakout sessions across three strands all in one conference – sports development, curriculum and policy and football development. Due to the new format and the diverse range of topics available, we have widened the booking to allow up to five members of staff to attend the conference. Here are 10 reasons why college staff should attend:

1. The FA Education team will be hosting a session on their new vision for coaches, their response to the COVID challenges, the changes that have been made to football qualifications and how this will impact the FE sector moving forwards. Colleges will be able to understand the national and local picture for workforce development and consider what opportunities this will present for their learners.
2. Key partners Veo, alongside Milton Keynes College, will be discussing the use of video technology and its benefit to both curriculum and extra-curricular football offers.
3. Catapult, another progressive technology solution being used by the FE sector, will focus their session on how performance tracking can be maximised not just by football players and coaches but also by teachers and learners alike.
4. As part of the development strand, Disability Rights UK will be hosting a session on ‘Reducing barriers to physical activity for disabled people.’ This will open conversations around physical activity, explore the opportunities to connect with the social care and social work sectors and present research on being active at home.
5. East Durham College will host a session on social action in practice, sharing learnings from their AoC Beacon Award winning work, alongside Leeds City College who will share learnings from their Sport England Potentials Fund project.
6. Solent University and Itchen College will be delivering a session on supporting aspiring elite athletes and their transition to and journey through further education.
7. As part of an NGB roundtable session, the Rugby Football League (RFL) will be sharing further information on our CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme funding for a TAG Leaders project in colleges.
8. Amongst a range of breakouts dedicated to teaching and learning, Daniel Newcombe of Boing Kids and Oxford Brookes University will share his research principles for helping sports coaches to support the development of physical literacy in children.
9. As part of the sessions dedicated to equality, diversity and inclusion we will be exploring the latest research on homophobic banter, its impact on sports participation and how activating captains as leaders of inclusion can help change the social norms.
10. The Curriculum and Policy strand includes a session with conference sponsors NCFE, who will debate and discuss some of the key issues around mental health and fitness, as well as introduce the first ever mental fitness app for FE, created by expert performance psychologists. Sessions on skills and curriculum development will also be on offer from our partners CIMSPA and The British Esports Association.

How to book

Bookings for the conference are now being taken, with further breakout sessions and keynote speakers being announced over the coming weeks. Prices for AoC Sport members start at £50+VAT for one delegate and £100+VAT for up to 5 delegates from the same institution. Please see the website for more details and to book your place.