In his compelling presentation, Professor Sergio Lara-Bercial—co-founder of ICOACHKIDS and Professor of Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University—explores how sport can be a powerful tool for personal development. Drawing on decades of experience in coaching, research, and international consultancy, Lara-Bercial offers a vision of youth sport that goes far beyond competition and performance.

At the heart of his message is a simple but transformative idea: sport is not just about developing athletes—it’s about developing people. Lara-Bercial argues that coaches, clubs, and sport organizations have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to shape the character, values, and life skills of young participants.

He begins by identifying the key ingredients of a sport environment that fosters personal growth. These include positive relationships, psychological safety, and meaningful experiences. When young people feel supported, respected, and challenged in the right ways, they are more likely to develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and a sense of purpose.

Lara-Bercial emphasizes the importance of intentional coaching. Personal development doesn’t happen by accident—it must be embedded into the design of training sessions, team culture, and coach-athlete interactions. Coaches should actively teach and model life skills such as communication, leadership, goal setting, and emotional regulation. This can be done through reflective questioning, team discussions, and creating opportunities for athletes to take ownership of their learning.

He also highlights the role of organizational culture. Clubs and governing bodies must align their values and practices to support holistic development. This means prioritizing long-term growth over short-term success, celebrating effort and improvement, and ensuring that all children—regardless of ability—feel included and valued.

One of the most powerful aspects of Lara-Bercial’s presentation is his call for coaches to see themselves as educators and mentors. He encourages them to reflect on their own values, behaviors, and impact, and to recognize that their influence extends far beyond the pitch or court. “We are not just coaching sport,” he says, “we are coaching life.”

The presentation concludes with a hopeful and inspiring message: when done well, sport can be one of the most effective platforms for personal development. It can help young people discover who they are, what they care about, and how they want to contribute to the world.

You can watch the full presentation below