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Home > News & events > News > Breakthrough T1D welcomes new parliamentary action calling for inclusive sport for people living with diabetes
Chris Bloore MP has submitted new evidence and guidance to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), highlighting the urgent need to make sport safer, more inclusive and accessible for people living with diabetes across the UK.
The submission brings together the Diabetes in Sport & Exercise: Executive Summary and the Principles of Inclusive Practice for People with Diabetes in Sport and Exercise Settings, setting out both the scale of exclusion currently experienced by people with diabetes and the practical steps sporting organisations can take to ensure participation without stigma, risk or discrimination.
Research shows that children with type 1 diabetes are less physically active than their peers. Studies highlight that stigma, misconceptions, a lack of awareness among coaches and limited policies across the sport sector often lead to people being excluded from taking part.
The seven principles, developed in partnership with leading organisations including Breakthrough T1D, Diabetes UK, EXTOD (Exercise for Type One Diabetes), We Are Undefeatable and Activity Alliance, outline clear actions for sporting organisations.
These include ensuring equality and inclusion under the Equality Act 2010, making informed adjustments such as allowing blood glucose checks during activity, improving education and awareness for coaches and volunteers, prioritising safety and wellbeing, respecting confidentiality and committing to continuous improvement.
Chris Bright, a former Wales Futsal International player, living with type 1 diabetes, who now works for Breakthrough T1D, said: “As someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for most of my life and competed in sport around Europe, I’ve seen first-hand how the right support can open doors, and how the lack of it can close them just as quickly. These principles give the sport sector a clear, practical roadmap for change. Nobody with diabetes should be made to feel that their condition is a barrier to taking part, whether they’re a child at school, a weekend participant or an aspiring athlete. This is an important moment for creating environments where people with diabetes can feel safe, confident and fully included in the sports they love.”
Adam Smith, Sky Sports Presenter, said: “These principles and guidelines represent what we believe can be a landmark moment in the history of UK sport for people living with diabetes. They are a vital step towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of their condition, feels included, supported and able to participate in any sport, at any level, across the UK, because sport always has been and always should be, for all.”
Chris Bloore MP said: “These principles show that inclusion doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple, informed adjustments and better awareness can make a huge difference, allowing people with diabetes to take part fully, safely and confidently at every level of sport.”
Under the Equality Act 2010, people living with diabetes who require medication are legally protected from discrimination as they are living with a long-term health condition. Despite this, the documents highlight that many sports clubs, schools and governing bodies lack clear guidance or training to support participants with diabetes.
The submission calls on DCMS and Sport England to urgently develop national guidance for schools, coaches and sports providers, expand access to inclusive sport programmes, improve workforce training and education and increase investment in inclusion strategies – particularly in communities facing the greatest health inequalities.”
Chris Bloore MP has written to the relevant DCMS Minister welcoming their engagement and urging that the principles be cascaded across the sport and physical activity sector, from grassroots and community sport through to national governing bodies.
The principles are underpinned by extensive national research from the University of Exeter and the University of Worcester and build on existing good practice already developed by some sports organisations, including the Lawn Tennis Association and the Football Association of Wales.
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