​​UK Sport to procure £400-450k pilot scheme providing legal services to high performance coaches

UK Sport said: “As part of our strategic ambition to foster a thriving sporting system with positive societal impact, we are investing in the professional wellbeing of the coaching workforce that underpins elite sport…..

“This procurement represents a key element of UK Sport's interim support offer for coaches and will serve as a critical building block in the development of the Independent Coaches Body ("ICB").”

It added: “While experience delivering legal services within the sports sector, particularly in high-performance or elite sporting environments and in alignment with sector frameworks such as Sport Integrity, is highly valued, UK Sport also welcomes applications from providers outside the sector.

“Bidders are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by coaches, including employment, safeguarding, and disciplinary matters, and to provide evidence of their capability to deliver high-quality, relevant, and responsive legal support tailored to the needs of high-performance coaches and the wider sports sector."

The pilot scheme is a direct response to the findings of the Whyte Review, which in 2023 identified the need for systemic reform to create safer, more supportive environments across UK sport.

In partnership with Sport England, UK Sport has committed to a joint policy response that prioritises the professionalisation of coaching, enhanced wellbeing provision, and a culture of safeguarding and accountability. 

Further research, including the Care for Coaches report (UK Coaching & Liverpool John Moores University, 2024)1, has highlighted legal representation as a critical area of unmet need, UK Sport said.

It added: “Coaches often face complex employment, disciplinary, and safeguarding challenges without access to consistent or affordable legal support, an area which the pilot scheme intends to address.”

UK Sport said: “This procurement will therefore enable the provision of timely, expert advice and representation across employment matters, contract negotiations, and safeguarding or disciplinary proceedings for coaches in the high-performance system. This service will not only meet immediate needs but also inform the long-term legal support model to be delivered through the ICB as a core membership benefit.”

UK Sport has budgeted to make payments of up to a value of £400,000-450,000 (inclusive of VAT) to cover all costs associated with the delivery of the services across the full term of the pilot scheme.

The contract is expected to run from 31 January 2026 and last two years.