Building inclusive club cultures through collaboration

2-MINUTE READ

Background

Across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and neighbouring Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Sport Welfare Leads noticed a growing appetite from local clubs to learn more about Neurodiversity and Active Bystanding. Many volunteers and coaches were aware of these topics but wanted a deeper, more practical understanding of how they could help create safer, more inclusive club environments.

Recognising the shared challenges and opportunities across both regions, Sport Welfare Officers Leah Goode (Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin) and Emily Griffiths (Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire) saw the potential for a collaborative approach.

How Energize Got Involved

Working under the CORE Sport Welfare framework, Leah and Emily connected with a range of National Governing Bodies (NGBs) — including the LTA, England Hockey, England Netball, British Cycling, and the Royal Yachting Association — to discuss how best to support clubs.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with NGBs recognising the value of joint educational opportunities that would strengthen welfare practices and embed inclusion within grassroots sport.

With this support, Energize STW partnered with Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire, the National Working Group (NWG) and Neurodiverse Sport to bring the idea to life.

What Happened

The resulting Active Bystander and Neurodiversity Awareness evenings brought together local clubs, county associations, and NGB representatives for a night of insight, connection, and reflection.

Kev and Ange from NWG opened the session with a powerful and thought-provoking workshop on Active Bystanding, highlighting real-life examples and simple techniques that individuals and clubs can use to build safer sporting spaces.

They were followed by Rhiannon from Neurodiverse Sport, who shared her lived experience of Neurodiversity — reframing it as a superpower and encouraging everyone to embrace difference as a strength. Her presentation offered practical, everyday strategies for making clubs more inclusive and supportive.

To spark discussion, delegates then took part answering key questions such as:

• What does a positive environment look like at your club?

• What’s something you want to start, stop, or learn?

• How do you currently capture participant voice?

This part of the evenings created a real buzz, as clubs and NGBs shared ideas and reflected on how inclusion and welfare are brought to life at the community level.

The Impact

The events not only deepened understanding of key welfare topics but also built stronger connections between clubs, NGBs, and welfare officers.

The collaborative approach demonstrated how joint learning opportunities can empower clubs to take practical action around inclusion and safeguarding.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of the session:

• “The Active Bystander and Neurodiversity workshops were welcome opportunities to provide tennis venues with development opportunities that are currently in short supply... The courses were expertly delivered and very engaging.” Michael Salmon, Delivery Manager, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

• “A really informative evening on the Neurodiversity subject that’s so prevalent but rarely spoken about. It’s certainly made me think about different elements of my own coaching.” Lindsay Davies, Netball Development Officer West Midlands, England Netball.

• “The Neurodiversity event information is one that we can very much see where resources can fit in with our clubs in the near future.” Judith Phelps, Safeguarding Manager, North Midlands RFU.

The success of the evening has inspired future plans to continue cross-regional collaboration and create more opportunities for learning, connection, and positive culture change across community sport.

If your club would like to learn more about supporting welfare and inclusion, or to discuss future opportunities, please contact Leah Goode, Programme Manager - Sport Welfare at Energize STW.