The Youth Sport Trust Conference 2025 Awards, held on Tuesday 25th March, showcased the dedicated and innovative approaches from schools, trusts, and individuals who have used the power of sport to make a positive impact on children’s health and wellbeing throughout the year. Hosted by TV personality, Radzi Chinyanganya, the evening was filled with inspiring stories highlighting the power of sport and play to foster positive change for all children in schools.  

In an event themed around hope, Youth Sport Trust CEO Ali Oliver opened with a powerful call to action, urging attendees to focus on the ‘points of light’ and ‘beacons of hope’ within the education sector as a response to the challenges currently facing the sector. The evening underscored the importance of embracing positivity and directing efforts toward developing happy and healthy children, prioritising inclusion and encouraging an adventurous spirit, where taking risks is an opportunity for growth. 

In a special fireside chat, award-winning broadcaster and author, Clare Balding CBE, reflected on her experiences hosting the Paralympic Games and highlighted the importance of inclusivity in both school sports and elite level sports. She spoke of the importance of sport in developing transferable skills, as well as the unifying power of being part of a team. 

“I think sport is about more than just PE,” Balding said. “There are so many ways other subjects can be taught through sports, like science, maths, and economics for example."

She continued, "Some kids are alienated from sport because they don’t do well in PE and so they don’t like it as an adult. If you are damaged by something, you react against it, and I do not want anyone to react against sport or PE. Sport gives people a place in a team and that is really important.” 

A panel of prominent female athletes and para athletes also led a discussion on the crucial role of sport in youth development. The panel included Georgie Brayshaw MBE, British Olympic rower; Lauren Steadman MBE, British Olympic paratriathlete; Anna Hopkin MBE, British Olympic swimmer; and Maisie Summers-Newton MBE PLY, British Paralympic swimmer. During the session, they shared personal insights, underscoring the transformative power of sport and emphasising the importance of supportive communities to ensure all young people have access to its benefits. 

The Youth Sport Trust Conference 2025 Awards Winners 

This year, the awards ceremony recognised the contribution of inspiring schools and practitioners across seven categories, after receiving more than 140 entries in total which were reviewed by an expert judging panel. For the first time, this included a new category - ‘Outstanding Contribution to Your Place’ - to celebrate an organisation which has harnessed the power of PE, sport and play to develop ways of working which bring local stakeholders and people from their community together to build healthier, happier and more resilient young people. 

The winners: 

Read more about the winners here.

Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of Youth Sport Trust, said: 
“The Youth Sport Trust Conference Annual Awards provide us with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the amazing work being done across the country to support the development of young people through play and sport. The judges faced a tough task in selecting just seven winners, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who entered; their creativity, hard work and impact will inspire others. Our message to all attendees this year was one of hope and resilience and this year’s winners have certainly embodied that, demonstrating incredible passion and commitment to our shared mission, with a clear and lasting impact on the lives of so many children.”