The Partnership activities in China are focused on enhancing school football coaching and physical education (PE) teaching standards and empowering educators to deliver high-quality, student-centred sports education. The ultimate goal is to contribute to China’s sports education reform and provide teachers with the necessary tools to create engaging and effective football and PE lessons in schools across China.

History of the Partnership in China 

The Partnership activity in China commenced in 2009 with the launch of the Premier Skills programme, which continues to run till today. Over 6,000 teachers, coaches and referees across China have been trained in how to use football to engage and inspire young people. The partnership has also trained several hundred teachers and coaches as coach educators to enable cascading of the knowledge further. 

Since 2023, a new programme called Premier League Primary Stars (PLPS) has been piloted in China. PLPS aims to support teachers and other educators to deliver high-quality physical education to primary-school-aged children.

Who We Work with 

Our key partners have been the national bodies, such as the Federation of School Sports of China (until 2022), provincial, district and municipal education bureaus, universities and schools. Teachers, both in-service and pre-service (university students preparing to become PE teachers) and school football coaches form the core group of beneficiaries we work with. A key group of individuals in the project are the Premier Skills Coach Educators (PSCEs), who have completed the full training programme and now co-deliver courses alongside experienced trainers. They are mentored continuously, ensuring that the knowledge is passed on effectively within their local communities. 

Training delivery in China is led by Warren Leat, a seasoned coach with extensive experience in both the UK and China. His presence on the ground since 2016 has been pivotal in expanding the partnership activities and reach and refining the training to suit local needs.

Impact: What has the partnership achieved? 

The partnership has made a substantial impact on sports education in China. To date, over 6,300 teachers and coaches from 28 cities in China have received training and in turn almost 1.3 million young people benefited from more engaging and inclusive football and PE sessions. The "train-the-trainer" model has ensured the programme's sustainability, creating a network of trained educators capable of carrying forward the initiative’s goals.

The partnership has also successfully integrated its approach into China's broader sports education reform, supporting both regional and national curriculum changes. 

Through training and ongoing support for coach educators, the partnership has fostered a new generation of coaches and teachers who inspire and engage children in sports.