The five UK Sports Councils are unified by a commitment to the wellbeing, enjoyment and fulfilment of every person involved in sport.
With that in mind, the five bodies are empowering the sector to redesign sport to be safer for everyone in response to the Safe Sport report.
Led by sport and for sport, the Safe Sport project and report emerged from a shared recognition of the challenges faced by the sport sector in keeping people safe.
Co-Chaired by Sarah Powell (CEO, British Gymnastics) and Andy Salmon (CEO, Swim England), the independent consultation for the report encompassed 146 organisations and more than 200 voices. It was survivor-informed, involving individuals with lived experience in sport, with interviews conducted to understand how safeguarding practices in sport can be developed further to create a positive and safe environment for all.
Safe Sport’s mission is to establish a comprehensive and integrated approach to safeguarding in sport throughout the UK.
In a joint statement, the Chief Executive Officers of UK Sport (Sally Munday), Sport England (Tim Hollingsworth), Sport Northern Ireland (Richard Archibald, interim), sportscotland (Forbes Dunlop) and Sport Wales (Brian Davies) said:
“Everyone taking part in sport should have a safe and positive experience that is free from harm of any kind. We are grateful to all involved in the Safe Sport project for their work.
“The Sports Councils agree that there should be UK-wide leadership and vision for Safe Sport and a consistent framework to keeping all participants in sport safe from harm.
“We will continue our shared commitment to prioritising and shifting resources towards programmes that prevent harm, rather than react to harm, and will work with NGBs and sports providers to do the same.
“The Sports Councils will support the next phase of work, which will involve feasibility and scoping, including the appointment of a dedicated lead for the Safe Sport project.”
The next phase of the Safe Sport project will be guided by an Oversight Group and Executive staff, which will contain a blend of relevant experience.
This will include an outline of the function and services required by the sector, an appraisal of the delivery options, and an implementation plan for those options agreed with by March 2026.
Download the Safe Sport report