Conference 2026
Happy, healthy and thriving - A new era through PE, sport and play
Awards Dinner - Tuesday 03 March
Conference - Wednesday 04 March
Telford International Centre
The Youth Sport Trust Conference 2026 will explore the exciting potential of a new era for PE, sport and play, one where young people can thrive, with their happiness and health at the heart of schools and communities. Click here to book now.
Building on last year’s focus on the Well Schools movement, this year we look ahead to the opportunities presented by the new PE and School Sport Partnership Network, Curriculum and Assessment Review, Enrichment Framework and National Youth Strategy. We will discuss how schools can navigate and capitalise on the forthcoming changes to ensure every child enjoys the benefits of movement every day.
The day will open with future-focused morning sessions and an opening keynote, before moving into afternoon sessions based on the four Well Schools pillars:
Well Culture
Wellbeing is placed at the heart of school life and enables everyone to thrive and achieve their potential.
Lead Well
Staff and pupils are empowered to shape and lead their school.
Move Well
Every pupil is prepared physically and mentally for learning and for life.
Live Well
Every pupil is equipped with the essential skills to thrive in a digital world.
With inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops, innovative exhibition, and opportunities to connect, the conference will give educators, leaders and partners the tools to help young people be happy, healthy and thriving.
We are delighted to announce that one of our keynote speakers will be Dwayne Fields FRGS – TV presenter, adventurer, explorer, and UK Scout Association Chief Scout. Our second keynote speaker will be announced shortly, and our full content agenda will be available from mid-December. Stay tuned for many more announcements.
Ticket Prices
All prices listed are exclusive of VAT. Individuals and schools who are a part of The Club are entitled to a discount. Find out more about the other benefits of The Club and join today to get your discount here.
Conference Ticket
Standard - £299.00
The Club Individuals - £269.00
The Club Schools - £149.00
Conference Multi-Buy Ticket
£177.00 - when purchasing two or more standard tickets in the same transaction
Awards Dinner Ticket
Standard - £85.00
The Club Schools - £70.00
For our conference, we strongly encourage attendees to car share, use public transport, or choose more sustainable travel options. By doing so, you can help significantly reduce the event's overall carbon footprint. Thank you for your support in making this our most sustainable conference yet. To plan your journey, you can use Personalised Travel by You. Smart. Thing.
Keynotes
Dwayne Fields
Dwayne Fields is the UK Chief Scout, succeeding Bear Grylls in 2024, and the first Black Briton to walk over 400 miles to the Magnetic North Pole. As the public figurehead of the Scouts, he leads the movement’s young people and adult volunteers while inspiring more people to get involved. A passionate storyteller of endurance and exploration, he has fronted several major adventure series.
For Channel 5, his recent series Endurance: Race to the Nile followed his journey with Ben Fogle as they uncovered the untold story of Dr. Livingstone and his mission to find the Nile’s source. Their previous BAFTA-nominated Endurance: Race to the Pole recreated the experiences of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen using the same clothing, food and equipment as the original Edwardian explorers.
Dwayne also guides Will Smith through global expeditions in Disney+/National Geographic’s Welcome to Earth, and pushes his own limits in Seven Toughest Days, now streaming in the UK and US.
Rob Hopkins
Rob Hopkins is the co-founder of Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes, and author of several books, including ‘The Transition Handbook’ and, most recently, ‘From What Is to What If: unleashing the power of imagination to create the future we want’.
He is an Ashoka Fellow, has spoken at TED Global and at several TEDx events, and appears in the French film phenomenon Demain.
He holds a PhD from the University of Plymouth as well as two Honoris Causas, and hosted 100 episodes of his podcast From What If to What Next.
In November 2022, he was made an Honorary Citizen of Liège in Belgium. His collaborative music project with artist Mr Kit, ‘Field Recordings from the Future’, will be released in May 2025, alongside his new book ‘How to Fall in Love with the Future’. In his spare time, he draws and makes drypoint etchings.
2025 Highlights
The Youth Sport Trust Conference 2025 explored how, through collaboration, we can deliver the happiest and healthiest generation of young learners and inspire a nation of active and well schools.
Awards Dinner 2026
The Youth Sport Trust Awards celebrates schools, settings, trusts and individuals who, working alongside the Youth Sport Trust over the past year, had made a real and impactful change to the lives of young people.
The Awards are presented at the Youth Sport Trust Awards Dinner on the eve of the annual conference.
There are seven awards in total - an Early Years setting, primary school, secondary school, all-through school, special school, alternative provision school, pupil referral unit, School Sport Partnership or Multi-Academy Trust can apply for awards one to six, whilst award seven is for individuals only.
Nominations are now closed, finalists will be contacted at the end of January 2026.
Interested in exhibiting in 2026?
The YST Conference Exhibition forms an integral and vibrant part of the event. It is a valuable meeting place for schools, NGBs and businesses and provides fantastic opportunities to network with over 600 school decision makers. The exhibition hall will host a large number of exhibitor stands, live networking sessions and other special features.
This is your opportunity to promote your products, services and programmes to our delegates, including PE teachers, head teachers and key policy makers from across the country. For further information about the exhibition packages and the opportunities available to you, please follow the link below.