Helping Young People Discover What They’re Capable Of - Changing the Way Young People See Sports (and Themselves)
Getting young people excited about sports might sound easy on paper, but in practice, it’s often anything but. While some young people naturally gravitate towards football pitches and running tracks, others need a bit more encouragement. And for many young people from ethnic minority backgrounds, regular physical activity can be even more out of reach.

At Touch of Love, we’ve been listening, learning, and doing things a little differently. Here’s what we’re discovering and how one simple relay race turned into something so much more.

The Problem: Why So Many Young People Are Opting Out of Exercise

We know the facts: regular physical activity boosts mental health, improves sleep, builds stamina, and supports healthy heart and lung function. But knowing something is good for you doesn’t always make it fun, or feel possible.

For many young people today, especially those from underrepresented communities, sports feel far removed from everyday life. Some have never been invited to take part. Others assume they won’t be good at it. And then there are practical habits that shape behaviour over time:

Easy access to transport like bus passes and lifts from parents means fewer long walks.

More screen time means less outdoor play.

Fear of failure or judgement makes trying something new feel risky.

The result? Fewer opportunities to feel the thrill of a fast heartbeat after a good run. Less confidence in their own physical abilities. And more missed chances to experience the joy of movement.

The Hidden Gap: When Sports Don’t Feel Like They’re “For You”

When we ask young people what they think about sports, their responses often depend on whether they’re already involved in one. If they are, great, they light up. But if not, we usually hear things like:
• "I’m not sporty."
• "I don’t know the rules."
• "That’s not really my thing."

What’s clear is that the barrier isn’t ability, it’s belonging. Many young people enjoy watching sports, like football, but don’t picture themselves on the field. And that’s where we knew we needed to begin.

The Breakthrough: Start With Fun, Not Fitness

So how do we reach the young people who don’t see themselves in sports?

We start small and start with joy.

At Touch of Love, we invited young people to choose the activity themselves. This gave them agency, excitement, and curiosity. Their choice? A relay race.

No pressure. No tryouts. Just running, laughter, and cheering.

As the race kicked off, something shifted. Young people who had never considered themselves "athletic" were cheered on by their peers. They smiled, ran harder, and finished with high-fives. Some were surprised by how good they felt afterward, not just physically, but emotionally, too.

The Power of Teamwork and Encouragement

There’s something magical that happens when exercise becomes play. When it's not about competition, but about community. The relay race reminded us and the young people, that sports can be fun when:
• You’re doing it together
• You're celebrated for showing up
• You're not judged on skill, but on spirit

One young person said, “I didn’t think I could run that fast, but when everyone was shouting my name, I just went for it!”

That’s the power of encouragement. That’s the power of a safe space.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Volunteers

We couldn’t do any of this without our volunteers. Week after week, they show up, not just to supervise, but to be present, to listen, and to cheer.

Your time, energy, and kindness create the environment where young people feel brave enough to try.

Thank you for every smile, every high-five, and every shout of “You’ve got this!” You are the heart behind the movement.

Why It All Matters

This relay race wasn’t just about getting young people to run. It was about helping them feel capable, included, and proud. It was about changing the story around what sports can be, from pressure to play, from performance to participation.