Table Tennis England is fully supportive of the response published by Sport England and UK Sport to the Whyte Review, committed to improved safeguarding and wellbeing for everyone involved in sport. 

Our Chief Executive, Adrian Christy, was one of a small number of National Governing Body CEOs who were part of the initial consideration of the response, and was part of a briefing of over 100 partners earlier this week.

We join the call across the sector to strengthen the safeguarding and wellbeing environment for those who take part in sport, and in our case, table tennis.

The Whyte Review was the independent report which was co-commissioned by Sport England and UK Sport in 2020 following allegations of abuse and mistreatment in the sport of gymnastics.

The Review concluded last summer, and its final report outlined a series of recommendations for the sport of gymnastics as well as highlighting areas where improvements could be made across the wider sporting system.

The response issued by Sport England and UK Sport commits to action across five areas, with 19 commitments in total, spanning the areas of coaching and workforce support, performance athlete support, good governance, dispute resolution and creating safer environments for participants.

Click here to read more about this

Adrian Christy said: “The safeguarding and wellbeing of people in sport is the responsibility of everyone across our sector and I am pleased to see the range of partners coming together to respond positively to the Whyte Review. 

“The sector is determined to come together to provide greater consistency and capability in this crucial area of work, and this response provides such a positive step towards that.

“We will never be complacent, and will continue to adopt a zero tolerance to those who seek to harm children, young people and vulnerable adults – whose safety in table tennis is fundamental.”

Sport England Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth, and UK Sport’s CEO Sally Munday issued the following joint statement:

“Sport delivers so much positive impact for our society, communities and people. Whether it is the mental and physical health benefits of being active and connecting with others, enjoying live sport as a spectator or volunteer, or the inspirational moments delivered by our elite athletes, sport matters.

“Sport is precious and all organisations who have either a leadership role in sport or provide sport in this country have a responsibility to help protect and improve it for all.

“Since the publication of the Whyte Review in the summer of 2022, we have been reviewing the findings and exploring how we can use them to drive improvements and better support those who organise, coach and take part in sport to ensure the best possible experience for all. We have also been working closely with British Gymnastics to support them to make swift changes and develop their plan of reforms.

“We have a responsibility to the gymnasts, parents, coaches and others to ensure their bravery in stepping forward and contributing to the Review doesn’t just lead to progress in their own sport, but has a lasting legacy across all of sport.

“This package of reforms incorporate change in areas where we as Sports Councils have agency and jurisdiction, but we also remain in ongoing conversation with government around wider reforms in the sector.

“Today is a positive step forward, but there is a huge amount of work still to be done to ensure all sport is consistently safe, welcoming and inclusive for all.”