In his enlightening presentation, Dr. Stephen Behan of Dublin City University explores the critical role of physical literacy in shaping healthier, more active lives for children. As a lead researcher on the Moving Well-Being Well project—one of the largest studies of its kind—Behan brings a wealth of insight into how early intervention and thoughtful coaching can lay the foundation for lifelong physical activity and well-being.

Behan begins by defining physical literacy as more than just movement competence. It includes the motivation, confidence, physical ability, and understanding needed to value and engage in physical activity throughout life. He emphasizes that physical literacy is not a fixed trait, but a journey—one that begins in early childhood and is shaped by the environments and people children encounter.

A central theme of Behan’s talk is the importance of developing fundamental movement skills (FMS)—such as running, jumping, throwing, and balancing—during the early years. These skills are the building blocks for more complex movements and sports participation later in life. However, Behan warns that many children today are not developing these skills adequately, often due to sedentary lifestyles, reduced play opportunities, and overly structured sport environments.

Through the Moving Well-Being Well project, Behan and his team demonstrated that targeted interventions can significantly improve children’s movement competence, confidence, and motivation. These improvements, in turn, increase the likelihood that children will remain active into adolescence and adulthood.

Behan stresses that coaches and educators play a pivotal role in this process. He encourages them to create inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments where all children—regardless of ability—can experience success and enjoyment in movement. This means designing sessions that are fun, varied, and developmentally appropriate, with a focus on exploration and personal progress rather than competition.

Another key message is the need to shift the narrative around youth sport. Rather than focusing solely on performance or talent identification, Behan advocates for a broader view that prioritizes health, well-being, and lifelong participation. He calls on coaches, schools, and policymakers to align their efforts around this vision, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become physically literate.

Dr. Behan’s presentation is a powerful reminder that coaching is about more than sport—it’s about shaping lives. By embedding physical literacy into our coaching practices, we can empower young people to lead healthier, more active, and more fulfilling lives.

You can watch the full presentation below