Abstract

2022 marked the 40th anniversary of the landmark publication of the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) model, introduced by David Bunker and Rod Thorpe in the 1982 edition of the Bulletin of PE. This sparked a global movement in research and practice within the field of game-based approaches.
The TGfU Special Interest Group (TGfU SIG) would like to welcome you to our 40th Anniversary conference to conclude our celebratory year.
Founded as a Taskforce in 2002 and further ratified in 2008 under the auspices of AIESEP, the TGfU SIG is an international collective comprised of leaders in the field of physical education and sport using game-based approaches. We aim to establish an epistemic community with networks stretching across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries.
This world-leading, inclusive, online international conference will take place on January 28th, 2023, and will host academics, teachers, sports coaches, and students from across the globe with an interest in game-based approaches.

The TGfU SIG calls for research and practice addressing the following themes and perspectives:
Child & Youth Sport
Teamwork, Fairness, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Coach and teacher professional development
Game curriculum planning, implementation, and assessment

The history of the TGfU SIG has been closely associated with issues of social justice, fairness, and inclusivity. Inclusivity extends beyond issues such as disability, gender, religion, and culture as has been demonstrated by recent events. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of physical education, sport and the health of our young people, and also reiterated the lack of parity in access for all. The integration and implementation of inclusive sport is a foremost concern for teachers, coaches and academics. The event will provide opportunities for academics and practitioners to engage in discussions of evidence-based practice for overcoming the challenges to, and further advancing, game-based approaches within a range of environments.