SafeSport26 contributors
25–27 May | University of Cape Town, South Africa
Global leaders, researchers, practitioners and athlete advocates who contributed to three days of dialogue, evidence and shared learning.
A Global Community of Expertise
SafeSport26 brought together an international community of researchers, athletes, safeguarding professionals, practitioners, policymakers, educators, survivor advocates and sport leaders committed to strengthening safeguarding in sport.
Across three days, contributors shared research, lived experience, practical knowledge and different perspectives on the challenges facing safeguarding and the action needed to create safer sporting environments.
Their contributions helped make SafeSport26 a genuinely global space for learning, challenge, collaboration and connection.
Some of our contributors
Anneli Hyman
Attorney of the High Court of South Africa | Doctoral Candidate
University of Pretoria
Anneli Hyman is an attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria. Her research focuses on safeguarding, child protection, and legal accountability in sport. Anneli’s work examines sexual offences and safeguarding failures through the lens of legislation, governance frameworks, and case law, contributing to stronger legal mechanisms and accountability systems to protect vulnerable participants in sport.
Nikka Tahan
Director of Research, Evaluation & Data
U.S. Center for SafeSport
Nikka Tahan leads multidisciplinary research exploring the impact of sexual violence on athlete wellbeing and the ethics and effectiveness of safeguarding systems. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice to strengthen evidence-informed safeguarding across sport.
David Humphrey
Head of Safeguarding & Integrity
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
David Humphrey leads safeguarding and integrity across British tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association. With extensive experience in safeguarding leadership, governance, and regulatory practice, he works to ensure safe and supportive environments across all levels of the sport. David’s work focuses on strengthening systems, accountability, and culture so that safeguarding is embedded throughout tennis from grassroots participation to elite performance.
Kathryn McClain, MSW, MBA
Program & Partnerships Director
#WeRideTogether
Kathryn McClain is Program and Partnerships Director at #WeRideTogether, a nonprofit working to eliminate sexual abuse in sport. Drawing on her background as a competitive athlete and Licensed Social Worker in community mental health, Kathryn brings a trauma-informed approach to athlete and survivor support. Her work focuses on education, prevention, and community engagement across sport systems, reaching more than 300,000 members of the athletic community worldwide.
Anne Wambugu
Safeguarding Officer
Moving the Goalposts Kenya
Anne Wambugu is the Safeguarding Officer at Moving the Goalposts Kenya (MTGK), where she leads initiatives that empower girls through sport while strengthening protection systems at community level. Her work focuses on community-driven safeguarding, child protection in sport, and gender-responsive approaches that engage parents, coaches, and local leaders to create safer grassroots environments
Neal Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
Safe Sport International
Neal Anderson is the CEO of Safe Sport International and a global leader in safeguarding and integrity in sport. He works with sport organisations, governments, and international partners to strengthen systems that prevent abuse and protect athletes. Neal has extensive experience in investigations, governance, and safeguarding strategy, and leads SSI’s global initiatives to advance collaboration, research, and practical solutions across the safe sport community.
Dr Suzanne (Suzie) Everley
Reader in the Sociology of Physical Education, Activity and Health, University of Chichester
Dr Suzanne (Suzie) Everley is a Reader in the Sociology of Physical Education, Activity and Health at the University of Chichester. Her research focuses on safeguarding in sport, child rights, and advocating for the voices of children and young people within sporting environments. Suzie is the founding chair of the Association of Child Protection Professionals’ Special Interest Group in Safeguarding in Sport, an associate editor for Child Abuse Review, and a member of Safe Sport International’s Research Committee.
Anne Tiivas OBE
Founder & Chair
Safe Sport International
Anne Tiivas OBE is the Founder and Chair of Safe Sport International and one of the world’s leading voices in athlete protection and safeguarding in sport. Former NSPCC director, and with decades of experience advancing safe sport policy, research, and practice, she has played a pivotal role in shaping international safeguarding standards and building global collaboration to protect athletes and participants across all levels of sport.
Michaela Callie, MBA
Executive Director
#WeRideTogether
Michaela Callie is Executive Director of #WeRideTogether, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing sexual abuse in sport. A former professional athlete, she leads initiatives that create accessible prevention education for athletes, parents, coaches, and organisations. Her team partners with collegiate and scholastic sport bodies, international federations, and NGOs to strengthen safeguarding awareness and culture across sport communities worldwide.
The conference ended. The learning continues.
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