The aim of PEPRN (which originally stood for the Physical Education Practitioner Research Network but now, like the BBC or NBC, is now better known for its acronym) is to bring together physical education teachers, coaches, physical activity leaders, volunteers and university practitioners from around the world to talk about practice, young peoples’ experiences of physical activity, and research.

We often don’t get the opportunity to talk about these things in a sustained and supportive environment but through this virtual space. I believe we can start multiple conversations and challenge ourselves to improve. As the site owner (Ash Casey), I hope that through this shared space we can begin learning from each other, and in doing so develop shared practices that can positively influence our own practices while ultimately improving young people’s experiences of physical activity.

So join in the discussions, share your ideas and let’s start talking. It is important to note and thank Professor David Kirk and the University of Bedfordshire who originally, and respectively, conceptualized this type of digital space and then seed-funded it. I hope that what I’ve done over the intervening years does justice to our shared vision for PEPRN nearly a decade ago.

Dr Ash Casey is Reader in Physical Education and Pedagogy at Loughborough University. His research focuses on Models-based Practice, pedagogical models, practitioner research and the use of new technologies in physical education. Ash in an Associate Editor for the peer-reviewed journal Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (Routledge) and has written five Routledge books and publishes regularly in leading physical education research journals. He is also the series editor of the Routledge Focus on Sport Pedagogy. He is active on social media where he writes and blogs about Models-based Practice, teacher learning and new technologies.

Ash completed a BSc in Sport Studies at West London Institute of Higher Education (1990-1993) before completing a Graduate Certificate in Education in Physical Education at Brunel University College (1995 -1996). On graduating he taught in a secondary school in Yorkshire for thirteen years (1996-2009) and took up post-graduate study in 2002 when he started a part-time MSc in Physical Education at Loughborough University while working at a teacher.

Ash graduated from his MSc in late 2004 and started a PhD in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy at Leeds Metropolitan University in early 2005. Maintaining his dual role as teacher-as-researcher, Ash’s PhD explored his transformation as a teacher of physical education from a teacher-led to a student-centred practitioner through the use of the pedagogical models Cooperative Learning, Teaching Games for Understanding and Sport Education.

Ash took up his first lecturing post at the University of Bedfordshire (2009-2014) and completed his PhD in January 2010. Having served as course leader for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees Ash joined the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University in March 2014. Ash has a vibrant social media presence on Twitter (@DrAshCasey) and writes and presents a twice month blog on PEPRN focused on translating research into practice.