Skip to main content

Creating inclusivity through leadership action

Orange flower

About

Play Proud is a leadership, network and coach-centred training programme developed by Common Goal. It aims to promote inclusion and safe spaces for  LGBTQ+ youth and adults, enabling them to be themselves on and off the pitch.

  • Create LGBTQ+ curricula and policies that can be used by organisation leaders and coaches to make programmes, organisations, and ultimately, communities more inclusive.
  • Build capacity of grassroots organisations to be able to incorporate the methodology into their programmes through training the first generation of Play Proud coaches.
  • Roll out a Play Proud Playbook to guide organisations’ facilitation of open and safe football programmes, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. 
  • Develop a strong network of Play Proud coaches who can exchange ideas and promote collaboration.

The programme focuses on empowering organisation leaders and sports coaches through activities covering leadership skills and tools, coaching inclusion methodologies, influencing change, and knowledge acquisition on discrimination towards LGBTQ+ communities. It equips participants with a Play Proud toolkit, empowering them to create inclusivity through leadership action.

Participants also design and implement local action learning projects designed to increase inclusivity and be a catalyst for concrete change.

  • 22 organisations engaged in 8 countries. 
  • 406,950 youth indirectly impacted by Play Proud programming. 
  • 100% completion rate.
  • 100% of participants feel they are more knowledgeable about gender identity and sexual orientation.
  • 100% of participants feel they are more knowledgeable about the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community face in sport.
Testimonials
See what our customers say about us
Participant
Graduate
Energus
“So unique and unforgettable”
Gareth Owen
Deputy Director of Emergencies
Save the Children UK
"The involvement of Impact has been hugely valuable to us not only for the crucial professional insights and recommendations they were able to offer the training process and the programme as a whole, but also as their consultants bring such great energy and enthusiasm with them. It is uplifting and exciting to have them on board.”
Natasha Hepburn
Director of Technology Leadership Development
Cigna
"Due to the ever-changing technology environment, the programme has continued to evolve over the past decade. TSLP is able to adapt to the current talent needs of the organisation in a deliberate and timely manner. Remaining flexible as the industry changes, keeping alumni involved to mentor and advocate for current participants and tracking progress in measurable and actionable ways are aspects of the programme that continue to establish a track record of success."