2025 marks 10 years since Sport England started funding the first Safeguarding Adults in Sport role at The Ann Craft Trust.
To mark the occasion, we asked members of the Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Adults in Sport team to reflect on how the sector has evolved over the past decade. We also asked them to share their thoughts on the biggest challenges the sector’s currently facing, along with their hopes for the future of sport.
We’ve also prepared a short history of safeguarding adults in sport, to highlight the key milestones that have shaped the evolution of the sector over the past 10 years and more.
Read our short history of safeguarding adults in sport here.
Ann Craft Trust Head of Safeguarding Adults in Sport Emma Gibson said:
As we look back over the last 10 years we can celebrate the progress that the Ann Craft Trust sport team has made so far, and think about what the next 10 years could and should look like for safeguarding adults in sport.
We can also reflect on the work of our key partners in this space, from the early days to now, we can’t do this alone and we thank everyone who has supported us on this journey so far.
By working in partnership we can continue to highlight best practice, share our learning and continue with our collective aim of ensuring that sport organisations understand their safeguarding responsibilities and do all that they can to support the safe inclusion of everyone to play and enjoy their sport.
Resources, Podcasts, Blogs, and More Highlights From 10 Years of Safeguarding Adults in Sport
Podcasts
- 20 June 2019 – Live From the Launch of the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework
- 3 July 2019 – The 2019 Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity Seminar
- 11 October 2019 – Sport Participation Groups with Nicola Dean, Anne Patterson, and Tina Thordal
- 4 December 2019 – Safeguarding Elite Athletes in Sport, with Nicola Dean and Kimberley Walsh
- 29 June 2021 – How active partnerships can help communities enjoy the benefits of physical activity, with Active Cumbria
- 8 July 2021 – Safeguarding adults in unregulated and unaffiliated sport and activity, with Nicola Dean and Catherine Sykes
- 9 September 2021 – Safeguarding in eSports with Fnatic
- 9 December 2021 – Creating more inclusive cultures in sport, with Disability Sport Wales
- 18 January 2022 – Working with your local safeguarding adults board, with Active Lancashire
- 25 January 2022 – How can the sport and activity sector create safer cultures, with The CPSU
- 22 March 2023 – Creating safer cultures at Nottinghamshire Cricket Club
- 25 April 2023 – Robbie Jacques, Nottingham Lions FC, and The Gay Football Supporters’ Network
- 19 September 2023 – Finding purpose and perspective with former international rugby player Rhys Thomas
- 11 November 2024 – How working in partnership can prevent abuse in sport, with Kyniska Advocacy
Blogs
- Badminton England share their experiences of completing the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework
- Libanus Lifestyle – Making a big impact on safeguarding adults in sport
- Responding to the abuse and harassment of players in the Premier League
- Key insights from the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework
- How co-production can help make sport safer for everyone
- How sport participation forums can make sport more welcoming and inclusive for all
- Eradicating a culture of abuse: Lessons from the Whyte Review
- Why we talk about “safeguarding all adults”, and not just “adults at risk”
- How the Safeguarding Adults in Sport Framework encourages collaboration