​​Provision of Comprehensive Legal Representation and Advice Pilot Scheme for Coaches within the British High-Performance System

Descriptions

UK Sport is committed to delivering a world-leading high-performance system that enables British athletes to achieve success on the global stage, within environments that are safe, inclusive, and supportive. As part of our strategic ambition to foster a thriving sporting system with positive societal impact, we are investing in the professional wellbeing of the coaching workforce that underpins elite sport.

UK Sport is seeking tenders from experienced and suitably qualified legal service providers, through an open Invitation to Tender ("ITT"), for the delivery of a Pilot Scheme comprising dedicated legal representation and advice services for high performance coaches operating within the UK's World Class Performance Programmes (the "Pilot Scheme"). This procurement (the "Procurement") represents a key element of UK Sport's interim support offer for coaches and will serve as a critical building block in the development of the Independent Coaches Body ("ICB").

While experience delivering legal services within the sports sector, particularly in high-performance or elite sporting environments and in alignment with sector frameworks such as Sport Integrity, is highly valued, UK Sport also welcomes applications from providers outside the sector. Bidders are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by coaches, including employment, safeguarding, and disciplinary matters, and to provide evidence of their capability to deliver high-quality, relevant, and responsive legal support tailored to the needs of high-performance coaches and the wider sports sector.

The Pilot Scheme is a direct response to the findings of the Whyte Review (2023), which identified the need for systemic reform to create safer, more supportive environments across UK sport. In partnership with Sport England, UK Sport has committed to a joint policy response that prioritises the professionalisation of coaching, enhanced wellbeing provision, and a culture of safeguarding and accountability. 

Further research, including the Care for Coaches report (UK Coaching & Liverpool John Moores University, 2024)1, has highlighted legal representation as a critical area of unmet need. Coaches often face complex employment, disciplinary, and safeguarding challenges without access to consistent or affordable legal support, an area which the Pilot Scheme intends to address.

This Procurement will therefore enable the provision of timely, expert advice and representation across employment matters, contract negotiations, and safeguarding or disciplinary proceedings for coaches in the high-performance system. This service will not only meet immediate needs but also inform the long-term legal support model to be delivered through the ICB as a core membership benefit.

Objectives

The objectives of the Pilot Scheme are as follows (the "Pilot Scheme Objectives"):

A. Empower Coaches through Legal Advice and Representation

Ensure that eligible coaches have access to high-quality legal support services.

B. Deliver a Cost-Effective and Efficient Pilot Scheme

Ensure the Pilot Scheme is operationally and financially efficient, effective in its delivery, and clearly understood by all stakeholders.

Contract Value

UK Sport has budgeted to make payments of up to a value of £400,000-450,000 (inclusive of VAT) to cover all costs associated with the delivery of the Services across the full term of the Pilot Scheme. Payment will be made only for work that is delivered, calculated in accordance with the relevant agreed fee structure not exceeding the maximum budget in aggregate.

Contract Duration

The Pilot Scheme is a pilot and therefore UK Sport propose to enter into the Contract with the Tenderer from the date on which the Contract is signed by both parties (the "Contract Commencement Date") for a duration of two (2) years (the "Term"), unless terminated in accordance with the terms contained therein.