Research Voices Day - Safe Sport 2026
25–27 May | University of Cape Town, South Africa
Explore the latest research shaping safeguarding policy, practice and athlete wellbeing across sport.
Why Research Matters
Research plays a critical role in shaping safe sport systems, informing policy and strengthening safeguarding practice across different contexts.
Day 1 Knowledge Mobilisation brings together academics, practitioners and policymakers to explore emerging evidence, share learning and connect research with real-world application.
This is a space for dialogue — where evidence meets practice, and where new insights can inform future action.
Monday Schedule (Day 1)
Session details and timings may change
07:00 – Morning wellbeing activities at your hotel
Optional self-led activities or take a guided run with Chiel Warners OLY.
08:15 – Registration Opens
Delegates arrive, collect materials and begin networking.
09:30 – Opening Remarks: Setting the Conference Agenda
Leaders from across sport, academia, and international development open the conference by framing the current state of safeguarding in sport. Reflecting on progress, partnerships, and global priorities, this session sets a collaborative tone and shared purpose for the days ahead.
Welcome to Safe Sport 2026 from
- Professor Mosa Moshabela, Vice Chancellor University of Cape Town
- Anne Tiivas OBE, Safe Sport International
- Dr Decius Chipande, African Union Sports Council
- Keitumetsi Lebaka, Sport for Social Change Network Africa
- Neal Anderson, CEO Safe Sport International
10:00 – Knowledge Mobilisation: Research Driving Safer Sport
This session brings together two leading researchers to set the scene for the research sessions through the day and highlight how evidence can inform policy, practice, and future innovation in safe sport. The keynote speakers will highlight key findings on athlete rights, organisational readiness, and the real-world impact of safeguarding implementation.
- Dr Lombe Mwambwa, CEO Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport
- Professor Dikaia Chatziefstathiou, Canterbury Christ Church University
10:30 – Refreshments & Networking
11:00 – Research & Case Study Presentations – Parallel Sessions 1
Research presentations take place across breakout rooms, covering a range of safeguarding topics and emerging findings.
Community Safeguarding and Sport-for-Development Practice | Safeguarding Implementation and Organisational Readiness | Athlete and Workforce Wellbeing | Equity, Inclusion, and Intersectional Safeguarding Risks | From Policy to Practice: Safeguarding on the Athlete Pathway |
Beyond the Whistleblower: The “Resilience Trap”, “Dignified Exits”, and Decolonising Safe Sport in the Global South Nurhidayu Ismail, Malaysia Bridging the Gap Between Safeguarding Frameworks and Practice: A Community-Based Study of Female Athletes in Muchinga province Chapman Musowoya, Zambia It takes a village: Community-Led Safeguarding in Coastal Kenya Anne Wambugu, Kenya | Mapping Safeguarding Maturity in Sport: Insights from NOCs, IFs and NFs through the Global Safeguarding Survey 2026 Daniela Negreda, IGNITIX Safer sporting environments through design and layout planning Mercy Wairimu, Kenya Investing in Women’s Gina Antoniello, Italy/US | Rights of Child Referees in Soccer: Power relations and rationalisations Dr Suzanne Everley, UK Protection of the rights of children in federated sports in Uruguay: Towards public policy Victoria Mignone, Uruguay The vicarious trauma of Lead Safeguarding Officers Dr Kate Hills, Ireland | Safe Sport and Inclusion of Women and Girls with Albinism in Africa Khayran Noor, Kenya/Switzerland Implicit Biases as Hidden Safeguarding Risks: Minority Athletes in Spain and Colombia Andrea Castaño, Spain/Colombia/Czechia Manifestations of Sexual Offences in South African Sports: Legal and case law Perspective Anneli Hyman, South Africa | Effective strategies for safeguarding footballers on the elite player pathway. Presenting emerging findings from a scoping review and group discussion across 3 key topics: prevention, response and player care. Prof Daniel Rhind, Dr Katelynn Slade, Catalina Melendro-Blanco, Taylor Gibson, Loughborough UK |
12:30 – Lunch
Networking lunch for delegates.
13:30 – Roundtable Discussions and Workshops
Facilitated discussions connecting research insights with policy and practice.
Mobilising Safe Sport Research in the Global South: Building a Shared Action Plan This session brings together global researchers to explore how safe sport research from and within the Global South can inform collaborative, context-sensitive action and shape a shared global agenda for safer sport. Lombe Mwambwa, Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport | “I don’t want to upset you”: Enhancing the skills of safeguarding officers to hold difficult conversations – being research and practice informed. Marcella Leonard (Leonard Consultancy), Neal Anderson (Valley Training) | From Theory to Practice Building Safeguarding Systems that address common gaps identified through the Global Safeguarding Survey 2026 Daniela Negreda, IGNITIX |
14:00 – Research & Case Study Presentations – Parallel Sessions 2
A second series of parallel research sessions.
Athlete Voice, Identity, and Power | Power and Abuse Dynamics | Building and Embedding Safeguarding Systems | Safeguarding Policy, Systems, and Organisational Change | Cross-Sector Prevention and Survivor-Led Safeguarding |
“I am a swimmer”: Athlete Identity in grassroots athletes Dr Kate Hills, Ireland From Listening to Lasting Change: Athlete–Informed Solutions Kathryn McClain, USA, Michaela Callie, USA
| Sexual Offences in Sport: Profiling Victims and Perpetrators in South Africa Anneli Hyman, South Africa Athlete Culture and Climate Survey 2024: Abuse and Misconduct in U.S. Sports Nikka Tahan, USA Safeguarding washing in Olympic Sports: A Global South perspective on performative governance and colonial legacies Catalina Melendro-Blanco, Columbia | Turning Policy into Practice: Equipping Sports Organisations with Safeguarding Systems Amy McClintock, New Zealand LTA Young Person’s Welfare Ambassador Scheme David Humphrey, UK Support Through Sport for Youth Coaches: Peer – Led Strategies to Prevent Gender – Based Violence Isabelle Cayer, Canada | Wellbeing of children in sports in Kenya: Policy and practice in football and athletics Mercy Muriithi, Kenya/Belgium Safeguarding in Southern African Sport: Policy, Training, and AI Dr Marc Hardwick, South Africa | Safeguarding in International Sport to 2030: Progress, opportunities, and discussions on where further development and improvement is required
Huge progress has been made in the application of safeguarding systems in international sport over the last 10 years – But is it enough? Is change taking too long? Are we missing opportunities to influence change? Do we need a strategic plan? This session will provide participants with an opportunity in a workshop setting to focus their attention on the future, to discuss where further development and improvement is required and to start to plan how to achieve that change within a 4 year cycle. Janice Shardlow, PhD Researcher |
15:30 – Refreshment Break
16:00 – Keynote: Missing Voices: Co‑creating Equitable Sport beyond the Margins
Building on the research insights, this session explores whose voices remain unheard or undervalued within sport systems. Speakers will examine the importance of designing safeguarding approaches that centre marginalised groups, including disabled athletes, LGBTQ+ communities, women and girls, and young people.
- Anne Tiivas OBE: The critical importance of designing from the margins in
- Lombe Mwambwa: The critical role of research in elevating missing voices
16:30 – Informal Regional Open Spaces
This optional session of informal regional discussions provides space for participants to reflect on the day’s themes, share local experiences, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Conversations will focus on advancing safeguarding within specific geographic and cultural contexts.
| Africa | North America | South America | Asia & Oceania | Europe | Personal Space |
| Room Host SSI Trustee – Tunde Johnson | Room Host SSI Trustee – Norm Wain | Room Host SSI Trustee – Chiel Warners | Room Host SSI Trustee – Emma Thomas | Room Host SSI Trustee – Sasha Martell | Take time to reflect, recharge and freshen up |
17:30 – Conference Welcome Reception: Connecting in Cape Town
Hosted by the University of Cape Town supported by local government partners, this informal reception o]ers an opportunity to unwind, connect and settle into the conference community at the end of the day.
Over drinks, canapés and a light meal continue conversations, build relationships, and reflect on the day’s discussions. The event will also include music and entertainment from local youth projects.
21:00 – Close of conference day
Who Should Attend
Safe Sport 2026 is designed for those working at the intersection of evidence, policy and practice in safeguarding.
This includes:
- Researchers and academics exploring safeguarding, athlete welfare, sport integrity and related fields
- Safeguarding practitioners working directly with athletes, clubs, organisations and governing bodies
- Policymakers and regulators responsible for developing and implementing safeguarding frameworks and standards
- Sport governing bodies and federations seeking to strengthen safeguarding systems and practice
- Organisations working in athlete welfare and protection, including NGOs, advocacy groups and support services