What we believe in:

No lines, lectures and laps.

  • Games-based approach
  • Supporting workforces over a period of time
  • Collaborative learning design
  • Person-centred experiences

Know these guys? We do!

Meet Jack , our Founder:

I launched The Coaching Lab back in 2018 because the experience players get in sport is a pure lottery, coaches are unsupported and teachers are always short of time and often struggle to engage mixed ability groups. 

We were quickly recognised by Richard Branson’s Virgin StartUp as an “inspirational bright idea”, accelerating our reach to impact teachers and coaches across the world play more games. 

MatchPlay Cards are now loved and trusted in 75+ countries, used at the games' grassroots and with the world's elite.

See what others say:

5

/ 5

Improved communication

We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

 I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Play, play, play!

MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play

Darren, Park Sports Project

Facilitate the problem solving

Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

 I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Play, play, play!

MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play

Darren, Park Sports Project

Facilitate the problem solving

Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

 I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Play, play, play!

MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play

Darren, Park Sports Project

Facilitate the problem solving

Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

 I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Play, play, play!

MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play

Darren, Park Sports Project

Facilitate the problem solving

Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

 I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Play, play, play!

MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play

Darren, Park Sports Project

Facilitate the problem solving

Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability We use them with our U18s to develop their communicaiton and adaptability

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches. The girls love them, they are a great stimulation for conversation between players and coaches.

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

 I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads  I will try to select MatchPlay Cards© that fit the theme we are working to. We can't predict what will happen next in the game so we want to give them different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to interact, it gives them variety

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Play, play, play!

MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play MatchPlay Cards constantly create opportunities for players to learn through play

Darren, Park Sports Project

Facilitate the problem solving

Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards Huge part of my journey of understanding that I can just facilitate the problem solving, rather than doing it for me with MatchPlay Cards

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

We help you to help others

Because great sporting experiences shouldn't be a lottery!

Club coach development

Teacher workshops

Conference speaking

Branded MatchPlay Cards

Chat with us:

Order on an invoice, chat to us about supporting your workforce or learn more about MatchPlay Cards.

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Based in the UK and Australia, serving the world.

The Coaching Lab is based across Australia and the UK travelling the world to support teachers and coaches.

Do you do club and school bundles? Sure thing, we do!

Contact us to access exclusive prices and packages to support your workforce be game changer with MatchPlay Cards.

See the range here

How it started vs how it's going:

2018

It was A "MAD IDEA"

Jack, sat his University library desk with 15,000 words of final year study on how does coaches integrate psychological skills in practice, MatchPlay Cards were born.

A mission to break down research, develop skilful sports leaders and have less kids standing in a line waiting to have a go.

2019

Backed by Richard Branson's Virgin

Virgin Startup supported The Coaching Lab as a "bright idea" with Richard Branson himself even calling Jack "An inspiration"

The same year we scaled to 15 different countries, launched Reflection MatchPlay Cards and saw Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham FC become lovers of MatchPlay Cards.

2023

We took it seriously!

Jack reflects on 2023 as the year The Coaching Lab accelerated its growth visiting and supporting more customers in person, scaling to global retail outlets and finally upgrading the website.

By 2023 we had shipped to 75 countries!

2024

The AFL got a new coach

The year we launched our first ever sports specific deck, Footy MatchPlay Cards. Transforming the game of AFL, helping more teachers and coaches play games and work with mixed ability groups easily.

What sport will we change forever, next?

World Class insights:

Netball MatchPlay Cards
Score More Than Just Goals - Coaching for purpose

Score More Than Just Goals - Coaching for purpose

Coaches talk about it all the time: "Make better decisions!" But how often do we actually coach it? In the fast-paced world of netball, decision-making separates the good from the great. The ability for players to read the game, make...

Read more

Netball MatchPlay Cards
The 2 Things Young Players Really Want and how you can do it with ease

The 2 Things Young Players Really Want and how you can do it with ease

When was the last time you asked your players what they wanted to do at training? If your answer was “never” or “not recently,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. But it might be time to rethink your session design. Because when...

Read more

Netball MatchPlay Cards
6 things every junior netball coaches needs to know

6 things every junior netball coaches needs to know

Whether you're just starting out or you’ve been on the court for years, every community coach shares the same goal—helping players fall in love with the game (hopefully). You’d never want to be someones last coach.  That’s why we’ve created...

Read more

Netball MatchPlay Cards
How to support your volunteer coaches

How to support your volunteer coaches

From early Saturday mornings to weeknight training sessions, local netball courts come alive with energy, effort, and laughter. But behind every thriving community netball club is a group of people who rarely get the spotlight: volunteer coaches, most of whom...

Read more

Footy MatchPlay CardsTop tipsWorldclass insights
Teach the game, beat the game

Teach the game, beat the game

By embedding learning objectives directly into the game and not just playing a game because students are asking, teachers shift from telling students what to do to guiding them to figure it out. You are creating students to experiment, adapt, and find solutions independently.

Read more

Top tips
How to be great junior sports coach

How to be great junior sports coach

Thanks to Lewis Bridle of Soccer By Design in Adelaide for coming on The Coaching Lab podcast! Checkout how Lewis and the coaches are delivering great sporting experiences to young people using MatchPlay Cards... We’re all about Small Sided Games...

Read more

Worldclass insights
Adding team challenges with IFK Stocksund

Adding team challenges with IFK Stocksund

The foundation of IFK Stocksund rests on two pillars, having great coaches to lead and an environment that is both fun and effective. IFK Stocksund, based in Stockholm, Sweden are leading the nations way in youth development. Their sustainable approach...

Read more

Discover MatchPlay Cards:

Multi sport challenge cards to make you a game changer

5.0
MatchPlay Cards

MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP
Netball MatchPlay Cards

Netball MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP
Reflection MatchPlay Cards

Reflection MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP
Animal MatchPlay Cards

Animal MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP
Footy MatchPlay Cards

Footy MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP