BDSA Shortlisted for Safer Sport Award at London Sport Awards 2026

We are proud to announce that the British DanceSport Association (BDSA) has been shortlisted for the Safer Sport Award at the London Sport Awards 2026!

This prestigious nomination recognises the meaningful impact we are making to improve safeguarding, safety and wellbeing across the extracurricular dance and dance sport sector. Being shortlisted by London Sport is a significant milestone for our organisation and a powerful recognition of the safeguarding reform work we have led in London and beyond.

Safeguarding is not an optional extra. It is the foundation of safe sport, safe activity environments, and public trust. At the BDSA, we are committed to raising safeguarding standards across dance sport and the wider extracurricular activity sector, ensuring children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected wherever they train, learn, compete or participate.

What We Have Done to Make Dance and Sport Safer

Over the past year, the BDSA has worked with urgency and purpose to close safeguarding gaps that have existed for too long across extracurricular sport and physical activity. This nomination reflects not just one initiative, but a sustained programme of safeguarding leadership, policy development and sector reform.

1. Creating the National Safeguarding Framework

One of the BDSA’s most significant safeguarding achievements has been the creation of the National Safeguarding Framework for Extracurricular Activities.

This framework was designed to address a national safeguarding gap: unlike schools and regulated care environments, many extracurricular activity settings still operate without consistent safeguarding standards. This leaves families exposed to uncertainty and children and vulnerable adults at risk.

The National Safeguarding Framework provides clear safeguarding standards and guidance for organisations delivering extracurricular activities, supporting consistent safeguarding expectations across the UK.

This is safeguarding reform with a long-term vision, built to strengthen the entire sector.

2. Strengthening Governance and Accountability

Safeguarding is only as strong as the governance behind it. That is why the BDSA has worked to embed safeguarding into our organisational structure and decision-making.

We have developed and implemented robust safeguarding policies, procedures and governance systems that ensure accountability at every level. This includes clear expectations around behaviour, reporting responsibilities, disciplinary processes and organisational standards.

Our approach is built on transparency, professionalism and integrity. Safeguarding cannot succeed without these foundations.

3. Creating Clear Reporting Routes: BDSA Be Safe

A key pillar of safe sport is ensuring people have a trusted way to raise concerns.

To strengthen safeguarding reporting and accountability, we partnered with the independent charity Crimestoppers to launch BDSA Be Safe, a dedicated safeguarding reporting line and online reporting service.

This service offers:

• A professional reporting route for safeguarding concerns

• A safe and accessible way to speak up

• 24/7 availability

• Guaranteed anonymity

The aim is simple: to ensure no dancer, parent, teacher or professional feels powerless when something is wrong. This initiative is a major step forward in safeguarding transparency and accountability across dance and extracurricular activity settings.

4. Safeguarding Children at Competitions: Admittance to Events Policy

Safeguarding must extend beyond training spaces and into competitions.

To strengthen child protection at events, the BDSA implemented an Admittance to Events Policy, allowing one parent or guardian to attend an event free of charge with their child.

This policy reflects our belief that children should never be left unsupported at competitions, and that parents should not be priced out of safeguarding their child.

This is a safeguarding step that directly protects children in real-world environments, reinforcing safety through supervision and parental support.

5. Education and Prevention: Respect the Step Campaign

Safeguarding is not only about responding to concerns. It is about preventing harm and educating the sector.

That is why we launched Respect the Step: Teaching with Integrity in Dance Sport, an education campaign designed to raise awareness and improve professional practice across dance teaching environments.

This campaign focuses on:

• Consent and appropriate physical contact

• Professional boundaries

• Safeguarding awareness and red flag recognition

• Empowering dancers, parents and teachers to speak up

• Supporting a culture of respect and professionalism

Through accessible educational materials and guidance, we are helping to create safer studio environments and reduce the risk of misconduct before harm occurs.

6. A Zero Tolerance Culture on Misconduct

The BDSA has been clear from the beginning: bullying, harassment and abuse have no place in dance sport.

We have implemented a zero-tolerance safeguarding approach, ensuring that all members, dancers, volunteers, coaches, parents, and officials are held to professional conduct standards.

We have reinforced that reports will be taken seriously and handled through proper safeguarding processes, and we have made clear that misconduct results in disciplinary action.

A safer sport culture is created through standards, accountability and consistent enforcement.

7. Supporting Parents and Raising Public Awareness

Safeguarding must include parents and communities, not only organisations.

Through our campaigns and public-facing work, we have raised awareness of safeguarding gaps in extracurricular activities and encouraged parents to ask the right questions before enrolling children in clubs.

This work is about empowering families with knowledge and helping them understand what safeguarding should look like in practice.

We believe that safeguarding awareness is a form of protection, and education is one of the most effective tools in creating safer sport.

A Message from Marcus Hilton MBE, BDSA President

Dear Members and Friends,

I am writing with immense pride and gratitude to share that our Chief Executive Officer, Neil Harrison, and the entire BDSA team have been recognised for our safeguarding work. This nomination for the London Sport Awards reflects our collective effort and commitment to making dance and dance sport environments safe for everyone.

This nomination is not just for one person or one initiative. It honours the countless hours of dedication from our leadership, staff and members who have contributed to developing the National Safeguarding Framework, strengthening governance, advocating for policy change and creating safer spaces for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We have taken deliberate and sustained action to close longstanding safeguarding gaps. Being named alongside other inspiring organisations in this category is a powerful affirmation that our work is influencing positive change across the sport and physical activity sector.

I am deeply proud of how far we have come and excited about what lies ahead. This recognition is a milestone, but it also renews our commitment to safeguarding excellence across dance.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey.

With pride and appreciation, Marcus Hilton MBE President, British DanceSport Association

Neil Harrison, BDSA Chief Executive Officer

We are proud that London Sport recognises the progress being made.

Across our capital and beyond, we have closed safeguarding gaps by strengthening governance, creating clear reporting routes, and setting national standards through the National Safeguarding Framework.

This nomination reflects the dedication of our team and members to making safety, professionalism and integrity non-negotiable.

We are building a culture where every dancer in London can thrive with confidence.

Neil Harrison Chief Executive Officer, British DanceSport Association

About the London Sport Awards

The London Sport Awards celebrate individuals, projects and organisations that make a profound difference to sport and physical activity across the capital. Now in its tenth year, the awards highlight excellence in areas such as workforce development, inclusion, community impact and safeguarding.

The Safer Sport Award specifically recognises best practice in creating safe and welcoming environments for people to be active, and celebrates those who are raising safeguarding standards across London’s sport and physical activity community.

The awards ceremony will take place on 29 April 2026 at the iconic Guildhall in the City of London, bringing together the sport and physical activity sector to celebrate outstanding achievements.

Looking Ahead

We look forward to the awards night with excitement, and we hope you will join us in celebrating this important recognition.

This nomination is a milestone, but our work does not stop here. We remain committed to safeguarding leadership, raising standards across the extracurricular sector, and ensuring dance sport continues to lead with integrity, accountability and care.

Thank you to our members, supporters and partners for standing with us. Together, we are building a safer future for dance sport in London and beyond.