Following the publication of the Safe Sport report in June, UK Sport and the Home Country Sports Councils are pleased to communicate further steps with the work. As the project enters its second phase, Neil Cooper and Nick Pink have been appointed as Project Director and Project Chair respectively. These two roles will be central to taking forward the feasibility of the recommendations set out in the report.
Neil brings over three decades of high-performance coaching experience and expertise in governance, currently serving as Triathlon England’s Independent Non-Executive Director for Welfare and Safeguarding. As Project Director, Neil will be leading the delivery of the feasibility phase, which will run until Spring 2026. This phase will focus on defining what services and support the sector needs based on the report recommendations, assessing the best ways to deliver them and developing the roll out plan.
Nick brings experience to the project through his former role as CEO of England Hockey and COO of GB Hockey, where he guided major governance reform, navigated safeguarding and return-to-play challenges during the Covid 19 pandemic and strengthened integrity across the sport. As Chair, Nick will oversee the project through a dedicated Oversight Group which will bring together voices from across the sporting sector as well as independent contributors, to make sure a wide range of perspectives and expertise shape the next stage of this work.
Together these appointments are the next step in building a culture in sport, which prioritise the enjoyment, fulfilment and wellbeing of everyone involved, from grassroots to elite.
Neil Cooper, Project Director, said:
“This is an important opportunity to shape a safeguarding approach that gives everyone in sport the confidence that their welfare and safety always come first. I’m looking forward to working with partners across the sector to deliver the bold vision for Safe Sport through an integrated and comprehensive approach throughout the UK.
Nick Pink, Project Chair, added:
“The Safe Sport project is about creating a system that strengthens the culture of sport in the UK. By working collaboratively with athletes, organisations and safe sport experts, we can build an approach that has trust and accountability at its heart. I’m delighted to be supporting this work and guiding the next phase of feasibility and scoping”
Safe Sport is the foundation of a wider programme of transformation being delivered by partners across sport to make the sector sustainable and fit for purpose for the future. The Sports Councils continue to fully support the next phase of work with Safe Sport and we look forward to sharing regular updates as the project progresses.