Bold new vision for safe sport unveiled

A new approach to ensure the safety of everyone involved in sport at all levels across the United Kingdom is needed, according to a major new report.

The Safe Sport report is the result of a project involving us and the other home nation Sports Councils, UK Sport and many national governing bodies of sport (NGBs). 

Led by Sarah Powell and Andy Salmon, the chief executive officers (CEOs) of British Gymnastics and Swim England respectively, the project emerged from a shared recognition of the challenges faced by our sector in keeping people safe. 

It has involved consultation with nearly 150 people and organisations including NGBs, safeguarding organisations and people with personal experience of harm in sport. 

The first phase of the project has resulted in five recommendations presented in the report, which you can read below.

In response, the five UK Sports Councils are empowering the sector to redesign sport to be safer for everyone and our CEOs have released the following joint statement:

"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."
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