Morning, Thursday, 29th January 2026
Online
This conference focuses on key issues for the future of the UK sports sector.
Planned areas for discussion include the deployment of new government funding, strategic priorities for improving governance practices and implementing safeguards, and the way forward for widening participation and improving access at both grassroots and professional level.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss the way forward for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector, in the context of the Government’s £400m investment in grassroots facilities and the UK Sport Councils’ Safe Sport Report, with delegates assessing how funding delivery and good governance can support wider policy objectives to increase participation across elite and community settings. Delegates will also discuss next steps for aligning national programmes with local priorities and governance standards.
Attendees will consider how funding might best be targeted, including priorities for investment in upgrading facilities, the support needed for application drafting, and how funding can strengthen climate resilience of grassroots organisations. Further areas for discussion include sustaining multi-sport hubs once initial investment ends, and options for drawing in private and overseas capital. We also expect a focus on opportunities for improving transparency in the awarding of funding, scrutiny of national bodies, and implications for smaller governing organisations and third-party delivery partners.
Further sessions will discuss priorities for increasing participation, particularly for underrepresented groups, as well as next steps for implementing proposals in the Safe Sport Report. The way forward for developing an independent leadership body and complaints and resolution function to support a preventative approach to harm will be assessed, as well as next steps for engaging stakeholders in creating the Safe Sport Strategy, Framework and Code of Practice.
We also expect discussion on women’s sport and long-term participation, including priorities for the Women’s Sport Taskforce in delivering equal access, tackling online abuse, and improving facilities at both the professional and grassroots level.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- policy: delivery of the £400m funding package - assessing recommendations in the Safe Sport Report - implementation and development of the Safe Sport Strategy
- governance: strengthening safeguarding and duty of care across funded programmes - linking support to compliance and accountability - sector standards and scrutiny of governing bodies
- funding: criteria for allocation across grassroots facilities - national priorities alongside local delivery - embedding place-based approaches and transparent conditions in funding awards
- grassroots: sustaining multi-sport hubs beyond initial funding - facilities access and engaging underrepresented groups - aligning community programmes with national investment priorities
- infrastructure and sustainability: embedding sustainability and climate resilience in facilities - upgrading and maintaining assets for long-term use - innovation to widen year-round access
- commercial models: balancing sponsorship, media rights, and public funds - accountability in private equity and overseas investment - directing surpluses to grassroots impact
- women’s sport: Women’s Sport Taskforce and league growth priorities - equitable facilities and safeguarding for women and girls - sustainable commercial structures to support investment
