- £15M for Child Protection
- Sports Abuse Investigation
- Calls for Independent Oversight
Sport England will spend £15 million on 59 experienced safeguarding officers to protect children and young athletes.
The official announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, following disturbing reports of abuse within gymnastics and several other sports, along with concerns about inadequate complaint reporting and handling.
Anne Whyte KC’s investigation revealed distressing practices, such as coaches subjecting girls as young as seven to body-stretching maneuvers, using restraints as punishment, and verbally abusing them for needing to use the restroom.
The report indicated that over 40% of gymnasts experienced physical abuse, while elite athletes endured starvation, body-shaming, and torture in a system that prioritized winning medals over protecting children.
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said 59 welfare officers will be stationed across next month. Their primary mission will be to promote safe sports environments and ensure local clubs prioritize the welfare of their members.
“This represents a significant investment in welfare, protection, and integrity,” Hollingsworth said. “It has the potential to transform how local organizations and community groups approach safety support. Gymnastics isn’t the only sport where clubs haven’t addressed major challenges.”
Sport welfare officers will collaborate with governing bodies to report and refer safeguarding cases, provide guidance and support to club welfare officers, and conduct club visits to address any concerns raised by parents and guardians.
While national governing authorities will continue to be responsible for investigations, recent criticism of British Gymnastics’ response to the Whyte Review has raised concerns. Campaign groups have called it a “serious institutional betrayal” and are advocating for more severe consequences for coaches involved in misconduct.
Hollingsworth acknowledged that the current system is not flawless, citing a significant increase in complaints about governing bodies reported to Sport England over the past year.
Nevertheless, he expressed optimism about the government’s new sport strategy, which includes a “call for evidence” regarding a potential independent complaints service or ombudsman to enhance oversight of the entire sports sector. “The rise in complaints is a clear signal,” he noted.
This poses a dilemma for us. We are not a regulatory agency and lack investigative authority. However, it’s evident that people are seeking a place to turn to. The question is, how can we ensure that parents with children in community sports clubs can report negative experiences or inappropriate behavior, and that these reports are not only heard but also properly addressed?
Where can people go if a government hasn’t addressed their concerns?
“In this context, I wholeheartedly support the government’s decision to seek evidence as part of their new strategy. This approach, unveiled last month, emphasises sports integrity openness and improvement. ‘Finding the right solutions for the right problems is crucial,’ the report emphasized.
“Hollingsworth concluded, “The language used in this strategy focuses on improvement and strengthening. I believe it recognizes that an independent system for addressing these complaints is a key part of the solution. It represents the most comprehensive and well-thought-out response by the government to the issues at hand. It’s a recognition that maintaining the status quo is not an option.”
