The sports sector is continuously under pressure. From grassroots to elite performance levels, safeguarding, inclusion, mental health, and transparency are more critical than ever before. At Me Learning, we recognise these challenges and are partnering with organisations across the UK to provide digital training solutions that support both individuals and institutions to navigate this change successfully.
The Challenges Facing the Sports Sector
The need for reform is clear, and the statistics speak for themselves:
- Diversity and Inclusion: As of 2019, just 5.2% of board members across UK Sport and Sport England-funded bodies came from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (Sport England – Board Diversification Project). This gap continues to impact representation at leadership levels.
- Academy Transitions: A staggering 91% of academy footballers in the UK never make a professional appearance (Sky Sports “Chasing the Dream” Documentary 2024). Many young athletes are unprepared for life beyond the academy system.
- Safeguarding Concerns: In 2024, 31% of safeguarding cases in sport had an online element. Among non-contact sexual abuse cases, 76% involved online abuse (Child Protection in Sport Unit, 2023).
- Sexism and Online Abuse: During the 2023 Women’s World Cup, nearly 50% of detected online abuse towards players was sexist, sexual, or homophobic (FIFPRO – Abuse in Football: Lessons Learned & Calls For Action 2021l).
These aren’t just statistics, they reflect real people, real challenges, and real consequences.
Our Strategic Response: Training for Impact
At Me Learning, we believe that meaningful change requires targeted, accessible, and engaging education. That’s why we’ve developed a range of training programmes tailored specifically for the sports community.
Emotional Intelligence for Young Athletes
Our three-module Emotional Intelligence e-learning programme is designed for 15–18-year-olds navigating the pressures of performance and personal development. This programme helps them:
- Manage stress before it escalates
- Build resilience and regulate emotions
- Communicate effectively and thrive in team environments
Jacob Brown, forward at Luton Town FC, endorsed the programme, saying:
“This course is such a powerful tool for any young athlete learning to handle the pressures that come with sport and life beyond it. It’s fantastic, I honestly wish I had access to something like this when I was younger.”
Bespoke Training for Discrimination Reporting
Our bespoke training solution for the Cricket Regulator ensures transparent, fair, and consistent handling of discrimination reports across recreational cricket.
Marcus Puddephatt, Head of Recreational Cricket Discipline at the Cricket Regulator, shared:
“By working with Me Learning to create fresh and engaging digital content on this important topic, we’ve been able to extend training access to a much larger proportion of the cricketing community across England and Wales.”
Safeguarding Training That Makes a Difference
Safeguarding remains a top priority for sports organisations. Our online safeguarding training, developed with the Cricket Regulator, equips individuals with the confidence and knowledge to identify and act on concerns particularly in an era of increasing online threats.
Preventing Sexual Harassment in Sport
We’ve rolled out our Preventing Sexual Harassment e-learning programme to clients, including a Premier League football club. This training promotes a culture of respect and inclusivity by:
- Teaching learners how to recognise harassment
- Equipping them with strategies to prevent and respond to incidents
- Supporting organisations in meeting legal obligations, such as the Worker Protection Act
This solution promotes long-term behaviour change and knowledge retention, reinforcing learning with bite-sized modules, scenario-based practice, and follow-up resources.
Shaping the Future of Sport
The sports sector has always been a mirror to society, and like society, it must grow and adapt. Whether supporting safeguarding efforts, preparing young athletes for life beyond the pitch, or fostering inclusive environments, Me Learning is proud to be a partner in progress.
Interested in Working With Us?
If you’re part of a sports body, club, or governing organisation looking to improve safeguarding, inclusion, or training outcomes, feel free to give me a call on 07498396705, or email me at maxblencowe@melearning.co.uk
