Read the latest statistics and snapshots based on child welfare contacts to the NSPCC Helpline and Childline from 2025/26 where the location of concern was a sports setting or where the person contacting was a sports professional (coach, club staff, volunteer).
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NSPCC Helpline data period April 2025 - March 2026
Between April 2025 and March 2026, the NSPCC Helpline handled 683 child welfare contacts where the risk or concern was taking place in a sports setting.
This represents a 10% increase compared to 2024/25, when there were 623 child welfare contacts.
The most common concerns were about sexual abuse or exploitation, emotional abuse and physical abuse.
“I wanted to raise a concern about the director of a sports club. I’ve heard them say awful things about the children, some of which were openly discriminatory. The way they run the club is so chaotic that I don’t think they have any policies in place. I’m afraid of what they might do if they knew I’d spoken up so I’d like to remain anonymous.” Anonymous contact
“We’re having a problem with one of our player’s dads. We usually like parents being at events and cheering kids on but he’s so inappropriate and negative with what he shouts. He’s called the kids ‘stupid a-holes’; it’s a league for kids 8 and under! I’m worried if he does this in public, what is he like with the kids at home?” Sports professional
The Helpline also handled a total of 152 contacts from sports professionals, including coaches, club staff, and volunteers in 2025/26. This number was a 13% increase compared to the previous year.
The most common concern reported by sports professionals was related to sexual abuse and exploitation.
NSPCC Childline data period April 2025 - March 2026
In 2025/26, Childline delivered 71 counselling sessions where the location of concern was a sports setting. This was similar to the previous year..
The most common concern was mental/emotional health, making up 32% of counselling sessions. This was followed by sexual abuse and exploitation and friendship issues.
“I’m struggling with intrusive thoughts. I was able to handle them by exercising and playing football, but since I had an injury four months ago, things gotten really bad. I wish I could find another hobby to distract myself.” Boy, 17
“There’s a boy who took a photo of me in my underwear when we were in the changing room. Now he’s threatening to share it in group chats if I don’t do sexual things with him. I’m so shocked – like, he seemed so nice when we met last month. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid my parents won’t allow me back in the club if I report what’s happened.” Boy, 13
Download the full report (ppx)*Snapshots are based on real service users but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child, young person or adult involved.
We report on data about Helpline child welfare contacts, rather than the number of adults who contact us, or the number of children in concern contacts. Concerned adults can contact us multiple times; multiple contacts may discuss the same child/ren, and contacts may discuss multiple children.
Childline counsellors can record the location of a child or young person’s concern, whenever this information is provided. Counsellors choose from a pre-defined list of options. One of these options is ‘Sports setting.’