Sport and physical activity give many children confidence, connection, structure and joy. For most children, sport is a positive and supportive experience – and the latest NSPCC Helpline data shows that some adults are working hard to keep it that way.
Children continue to turn to sport
During 2025/26, Childline delivered 71 counselling sessions where the main concern took place in a sports setting. This is very similar to last year.
The most common issue children raised wasn’t about rules or performance – it was about how they were feeling.
- Mental and emotional wellbeing was the most discussed concern, making up around a third of these sessions
- Young people also spoke about their relationship with coaches and peers, pressures to excel, body image, and harmful experiences during practice and in changing rooms.
For many children, sport is closely linked to identity and self‑esteem. Some use it as a coping mechanism when life feels difficult, while others feel pressure to perform, fit in or keep going when they’re struggling.
This reminds us that children’s emotional safety matters just as much as their physical safety in sport.
More adults in sport are asking for advice
One of the clearest trends this year is the rise in adults contacting the NSPCC Helpline about concerns linked to sport.
- The Helpline handled 683 contacts related to sports settings, a 10% increase on the previous year
- There were also 152 contacts from sport professionals such as coaches, volunteers and club staff, with the main concern talked about being sexual abuse - depicted in the pie chart below
This increase may indicate growing confidence and awareness in contacting the NSPCC Helpline.
Why clear systems and supportive cultures really matter
When analysing Helpline contacts, we can see some adults face barriers to speak up even when they know that is the right thing to do.
Barriers to reporting often include:
- uncertainty about recognising concerns
- fear of getting it wrong
- unclear procedures
- previous experiences of slow or dismissive responses
Where safeguarding policies are clear, training is regular, and leaders model openness and curiosity, adults feel more confident to act early and ask for help.
It’s about building systems and cultures that make doing the right thing easier.
What this means for sport
Taken together, the data points to a sector that is growing in confidence to contact outside help when it comes to safeguarding.
For everyone involved in sport:
- know you are a safe adult in children’s lives
- notice changes in behaviour
- keep professional boundaries clear
- ask for advice early – you don’t need all the answers
For sports organisations:
- keep safeguarding policies clear and accessible
- refresh training regularly
- make reporting routes well known
- create cultures where speaking up is welcomed and supported
Together, we can help make sure that sport continues to be a place where children feel safe, supported and able to thrive.