By Aspasia Dania
Associate Professor in Physical Education Teacher Education
Chair of the TGfU Special Interest Group
Associate Professor in Physical Education Teacher Education
Chair of the TGfU Special Interest Group
Game-Based Approaches (GBAs), such as the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) model, are widely recognized for their capacity to promote meaningful learning experiences in physical education teaching and sport coaching. International conferences and professional development seminars or workshops serve as venues for sustaining and evolving the use of GBAs in alignment with the broader changes in the educational and coaching landscape. The global nature of these events ensures that development in GBA design and implementation is shaped by a diversity of cultural, pedagogical, and institutional perspectives, encouraging cross-border exchange. Furthermore, the outputs of such events (e.g., peer-reviewed proceedings, publications, working groups, follow-up webinars or podcasts) extend the dialogue well beyond the event itself, offering a repository of collective knowledge that can inform practice and policy across the world.
In this spirit, the TGfU Special Interest Group (SIG) is proud to report on the organization and delivery of two significant international events that exemplify this commitment to advancing GBAs: (a) the 8th International Conference on Games-Based Teaching and Coaching, hosted by the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, New Zealand, and (b) the Pre-Conference Workshop Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Game-Based Teaching and Coaching, held during the AIESEP 2025 Conference in St Petersburg, Florida, USA. Both events are presented in this blog showcasing how international collaboration and professional learning can sustain and evolve GBAs to meet the needs of diverse learners in physical education and sport and contexts.
The 8th International Conference on Games-Based Teaching and Coaching
The 8th International Conference on Games-Based Teaching and Coaching, held from 8-11th December 2024 at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, underscored the pivotal role of international gatherings in preserving and advancing the value of GBAs in education and coaching. This conference brought together a global community of educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore strategies, technologies, and methodologies that harness the intrinsic power of games to enhance learning and skill development. The 8th International Conference TGfU conference centered around three main themes: (a) innovation, as designing innovative experiences and environments, (b) inclusion, as embracing equity, inclusion and cultural responsiveness and (c) inspiration, as advancing and inspiring new understandings of games education.
The conference brought together 150 participants from 12 countries, creating a vibrant space for sharing ideas and expertise. Across three days, attendees engaged with 27 oral presentations, 25 practical workshops, and 3 panel discussions that seamlessly integrated research, theory, and practice. A highlight of the event was the Len Almond Memorial Lecture, delivered by Professor Tim Hopper, which offered thought-provoking insights into the future of teaching and coaching. What set this conference apart was its unique structure, with dedicated days and workshops designed specifically for teachers and coaches that were in addition to the academic programme. As highlighted in the February 2025 AIESEP Connect webinar, the discussions and insights gained from the TGfU 2024 conference are expected to influence the future direction of GBAs and the relevance of TGfU in contemporary educational and coaching contexts. By reflecting on these aspects, the TGfU community can ensure that its future global gathering will continue to provide a dynamic platform for researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore the latest developments in GBAs.
In this spirit, the TGfU Special Interest Group (SIG) is proud to report on the organization and delivery of two significant international events that exemplify this commitment to advancing GBAs: (a) the 8th International Conference on Games-Based Teaching and Coaching, hosted by the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, New Zealand, and (b) the Pre-Conference Workshop Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Game-Based Teaching and Coaching, held during the AIESEP 2025 Conference in St Petersburg, Florida, USA. Both events are presented in this blog showcasing how international collaboration and professional learning can sustain and evolve GBAs to meet the needs of diverse learners in physical education and sport and contexts.
The 8th International Conference on Games-Based Teaching and Coaching
The 8th International Conference on Games-Based Teaching and Coaching, held from 8-11th December 2024 at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, underscored the pivotal role of international gatherings in preserving and advancing the value of GBAs in education and coaching. This conference brought together a global community of educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore strategies, technologies, and methodologies that harness the intrinsic power of games to enhance learning and skill development. The 8th International Conference TGfU conference centered around three main themes: (a) innovation, as designing innovative experiences and environments, (b) inclusion, as embracing equity, inclusion and cultural responsiveness and (c) inspiration, as advancing and inspiring new understandings of games education.
The conference brought together 150 participants from 12 countries, creating a vibrant space for sharing ideas and expertise. Across three days, attendees engaged with 27 oral presentations, 25 practical workshops, and 3 panel discussions that seamlessly integrated research, theory, and practice. A highlight of the event was the Len Almond Memorial Lecture, delivered by Professor Tim Hopper, which offered thought-provoking insights into the future of teaching and coaching. What set this conference apart was its unique structure, with dedicated days and workshops designed specifically for teachers and coaches that were in addition to the academic programme. As highlighted in the February 2025 AIESEP Connect webinar, the discussions and insights gained from the TGfU 2024 conference are expected to influence the future direction of GBAs and the relevance of TGfU in contemporary educational and coaching contexts. By reflecting on these aspects, the TGfU community can ensure that its future global gathering will continue to provide a dynamic platform for researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore the latest developments in GBAs.
2025 TGfU SIG Pre-Conference
Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Game-Based Teaching and Coaching
The TGfU SIG Pre-Conference Workshop "Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Game-Based Teaching and Coaching", took place in 18 May 2025, in Florida, USA, as part of the activities of the AIESEP International Conference 2025. This workshop exemplified the forward-thinking and collaborative nature of these gatherings. By weaving together insights from motor learning, fitness, tactical thinking, social justice, and outdoor education, the workshop modeled the interdisciplinary potential of GBAs.
25 AIESEP participants from different countries and professional backgrounds attended the workshop. The workshop begun with an introduction that situated GBAs within broader interdisciplinary contexts. Afterwards, participants engaged in game-play by rotating in thematic stations, ranging from motor skill development and fitness conditioning to social equity and adventure-based learning. The session concluded with collective reflection and action planning, equipping attendees to bring interdisciplinary strategies back to their own practice.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Game-Based Teaching and Coaching
The TGfU SIG Pre-Conference Workshop "Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Game-Based Teaching and Coaching", took place in 18 May 2025, in Florida, USA, as part of the activities of the AIESEP International Conference 2025. This workshop exemplified the forward-thinking and collaborative nature of these gatherings. By weaving together insights from motor learning, fitness, tactical thinking, social justice, and outdoor education, the workshop modeled the interdisciplinary potential of GBAs.
25 AIESEP participants from different countries and professional backgrounds attended the workshop. The workshop begun with an introduction that situated GBAs within broader interdisciplinary contexts. Afterwards, participants engaged in game-play by rotating in thematic stations, ranging from motor skill development and fitness conditioning to social equity and adventure-based learning. The session concluded with collective reflection and action planning, equipping attendees to bring interdisciplinary strategies back to their own practice.
Looking Ahead
The 8th TGfU International Conference and the 2025 TGfU SIG Pre-Conference Workshop exemplify the academic and educational significance of global gatherings. These events can support the rigorous exploration of current GBA research and practice, while also promoting inclusive, evidence-based collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange.
Building on the momentum and the reflective spaces provided by events like the 8th TGfU International Conference and the 2025 TGfU SIG Pre-Conference Workshop, the TGfU Special Interest Group is committed to launching, hosting, and promoting future international gatherings that sustain and evolve GBAs. These initiatives will continue to serve as global platforms for interdisciplinary exchange, evidence-informed practice, and strategic planning. By supporting collaborative dialogue and showcasing innovation, the TGfU SIG aims to shape the next generation of teaching and coaching through the power of games.
Stay tuned!
The 8th TGfU International Conference and the 2025 TGfU SIG Pre-Conference Workshop exemplify the academic and educational significance of global gatherings. These events can support the rigorous exploration of current GBA research and practice, while also promoting inclusive, evidence-based collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange.
Building on the momentum and the reflective spaces provided by events like the 8th TGfU International Conference and the 2025 TGfU SIG Pre-Conference Workshop, the TGfU Special Interest Group is committed to launching, hosting, and promoting future international gatherings that sustain and evolve GBAs. These initiatives will continue to serve as global platforms for interdisciplinary exchange, evidence-informed practice, and strategic planning. By supporting collaborative dialogue and showcasing innovation, the TGfU SIG aims to shape the next generation of teaching and coaching through the power of games.
Stay tuned!
