Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) as a positive and versatile approach to teaching games

This paper presents a small scale research project that focuses on pre-service physical education teachers’ and sports coaches’ considerations of using Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) to teach games. A research design akin to action research was adopted whereby pre-service physical education teachers and sports coaches (n = 72) completed a one-off 90 minute introduction to wheelchair rugby league (WRL) session utilising a TGfU approach. Data were generated through end of session whole-class reflections as well as semi-structured individual interviews undertaken with three (n = 3) participants. Post session first-author/primary practitioner reflections were also recorded. Data analysis was conducted via inductive coding procedures and revealed three themes: 1) TGfU as a positive pedagogy; 2) TGfU as a versatile approach, and 3) significance of content within a PETE programme. Implications of research findings include suggested consideration by teachers and coaches for using TGfU as a pedagogical model when teaching adapted sports as well as the possible inclusion of WRL in general physical education curricula.