Event Awards

The TGfU SIG Executive Board are in the process of designing awards to honour Len Almond and Joy Butler's legacies. The aim of these awards will be to celebrate members of the GBA community including young scholars and distinguished scholars in the field. More details to come. 

Len Almond Award Lecture

The Len Almond Award Lecture  commemorates the life and work of Len Almond, a distinguished scholar from Loughborough University, known for his pioneering work in physical education and his foundational contributions to the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) model. An influential thinker, Dr. Almond challenged traditional drill-based teaching methods in physical education, advocating instead for an approach that focused on game play, understanding, and decision-making.
 
The lecture was initiated in 2020 by the TGfU SIG Executive to honour his commitment to progressive physical education methods and his contributions to lifelong physical activity and enjoyment of games. The aim for each lecture was to pay tribute to the work and contribution to a key foundation figure in Physical Education for each country.  

This award is presented to distinguished scholars in the field of Game-Based Approaches. All individuals present a keynote lecture at a TGfU SIG International Conference and receive a plaque to commemorate their achievement. This award was proposed by Ellen Gambles in 2022 as part of the 40th Anniversary Celebrations.   ​

Guidelines:
  • The Len Almond Memorial Lecture should honour the contribution of Len Almond to how games and physical education are taught worldwide.
  • It should be a prestigious, public lecture, widely advertised.
  • It is an occasional event.
  • The Chair of the Executive has the responsibility to select and invite the speaker.
  • The surviving members of the Almond family should be invited to attend.
  • The speaker may speak on any topic of their academic/professional interest while paying tribute to Len Almond
  • The lecture should be recorded for inclusion in the SIG’s YouTube channel.
  • The speaker should be encouraged and supported to publish the lecture, with acknowledgement that it was the Len Almond Memorial Lecture.
Inaugural Len Almond Award Lecture
40th Anniversary Conference- January 2023

Presented by: Professor Linda Griffin (University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA)
Title: "Appreciation Matters: Sharing Recognition and Valuing Something Good"
News Article from The University of Massachusetts Amherst celebrating Professor Griffin's achievement ​
Len Almond Award Lecture
8th International Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) Conference- December 2024

Presented by: Professor Tim Hopper (University of Victoria, Canada)
Title: "Games (in the) Making for matching action spaces: Play-practice-play in Tennis Instruction"

Joy Butler Award Presentation

This award is presented to young scholars in the field of Game-Based Approaches. This award was proposed by Linda Griffin in 2022 and finalised in 2026. 

Recognition Awards

These awards are to recognise key achievements of members of our community. All individuals receive a recognition plaque. 

Leadership as Chair

Presented to: David Gutierrez
​Awarded: 2023

Nominated and awarded by: Linda Griffin
Details: Town Hall Meeting of the 40th Anniversary Conference

Leadership and Service

Presented to: Ellen Gambles
Awarded: 2023

​Nominated and awarded by: Linda Griffin
Details: Town Hall Meeting of the 40th Anniversary Conference