Morning, Tuesday, 12th May 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for funding, governance and safeguarding in sport in the UK.
It includes a focus on how organisations across the system can position themselves to access new government funding for grassroots sports facilities, including preparing to meet the associated oversight and safeguarding expectations set out in A Code for Sports Governance. The agenda will look at practical steps for sports bodies to develop the capabilities needed to reach strengthened standards, as well as the support that could be required.
With a minimum £400m in funding announced last year toward grassroots sports facilities - and with applications now open to access the £85m allotted for 2026/27 - delegates will explore ongoing scrutiny of governance and safeguarding across the sector. Areas for discussion include implementation of recommendations in the UK Sport Councils’ Safe Sport Report - which include establishing a Strategy, alongside a single Framework supported by a Code of Practice - and establishment of a new lead independent body to drive this forward.
Priorities for strengthening safeguarding mechanisms for national governing bodies and clubs will be assessed, including what organisations of all sizes will need to have in place to comply with the Code and to maintain effective welfare and safety arrangements in practice. Sessions will also consider next steps for the wider policy aim of using sport to support health and wellbeing, and how investment and governance arrangements can most effectively contribute to greater participation and access, including through the way facilities are planned, funded and managed at local level.
Governance, safeguarding & responsibilities
Attendees will consider what new standards mean in practice for accessing new grassroots facilities funding. This includes how organisations can prepare credible funding applications that demonstrate compliance with governance standards, evidence clear safeguarding policies, and show how proposed projects support inclusive participation.
Areas for discussion include expectations on diversity and inclusion, welfare and safety leadership, and how governance and safeguarding expectations are applied consistently across clubs, local associations and service providers. Best practice and the role of national governing bodies in supporting compliance across their sports will be considered, alongside approaches for strengthening safeguarding capacity across clubs and delivery partners, and how accountability mechanisms may need to develop moving forward.
Further sessions will assess priorities emerging from the Safe Sport Report, including proposals for independent leadership and clearer complaints and resolution structures, also looking at strategic approaches towards development of the Safe Sport Strategy, Framework and Code of Practice.
Funding, support for smaller bodies & financial planning
There will be discussion on how investment can be targeted to meet local needs, assessing what support smaller organisations may require from national sports bodies, and approaches to aligning capital investment with wider health and social priorities.
Sessions will look at the interaction between capital and revenue funding, alongside strategies for maintaining facilities over the long-term, approaches to financial planning and meeting transparency requirements across the system, and implications for the capacity of local authorities and third sector delivery partners to support sustainable delivery.
Participation, access, facilities & long-term sustainability
Attendees will examine strategies for widening participation and improving access across community and grassroots sport, including approaches to using new investment to support underrepresented groups and the role of local partners in delivery. We expect discussion to include priorities for the Women’s Sport Taskforce in its work related to delivering equal access, tackling online abuse, and improving facilities at both professional and grassroots level. Next steps for supporting diverse leadership within national governing bodies and across grassroots organisations will be considered.
Best practice for funding and governance standards to support the development of inclusive facilities will also be considered, including scope for local flexibility within national funding and governance frameworks.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
