Fri, December 19, 2025
CEO’s Review of the Year
CEO’s Review of the Year
The past year has been a busy and productive one for Sport Resolutions (SR), as we continued to deliver independent dispute resolution services across sport, both nationally and internationally. We have seen sustained demand for our services and continued engagement from a wide range of sporting stakeholders, reflecting the importance of independence, fairness and integrity in modern sport.
SR’s Updated Strategy
Earlier this year, we reviewed and refreshed the strategy and values of SR to reflect the organisation’s continued development and growing ambition. In doing so, we reaffirmed our central role in supporting the integrity of sport through the delivery of independent dispute resolution services. We also set ourselves new and more ambitious targets for the years ahead. This is an important and exciting period for SR, and we look forward to working closely with our stakeholders to deliver our vision.
International Work
SR continued its international work throughout the year, including its support to World Athletics at the Tokyo 2025 Championships. We were once again appointed to administer an ad hoc panel for the World Athletics Championships in Japan in September, as we have done at previous editions of the Championships in Doha, Oregon, and Budapest.
Athletics was not the only sport requiring ad hoc panel support. SR once again operated standby ad hoc panels during the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup competitions for the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and we are grateful for the ITF’s continued trust in our work.
In October, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) launched a new financial support programme for players accused of doping, including limited free legal assistance and access to confidential third-party counselling. Under this initiative, SR will now provide pro bono legal support from the point at which a player first tests positive, rather than from the date of formal anti-doping charges.
We are also delighted to announce a new agreement to support World Rugby, providing independent secretariat services for their anti-doping procedures.
Our independent vetting and governance work continues to grow year on year. In March, SR administered a vetting exercise for the Badminton World Federation for its Vice President Oceania role. We also assisted World Boxing with its third vetting exercise since the organisation’s establishment, in connection with its Executive Board elections. The vetting process was completed ahead of World Boxing’s Congress, which took place in Rome in late November.
Our international growth continues, with SR now supporting 33 international federations, either on an ad hoc basis or through integration into their policies and processes.
National Work
Safeguarding remains our fastest-growing area of work. On 1 April, The Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom was appointed President of the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP). A long-standing panel member, Sir Gary brings extensive experience and expertise to support the Panel’s work in complex safeguarding cases across sport. I would also like to record my sincere thanks to Stephen Bellamy-James KC, who has served as President of the NSP since its inception in 2013, for his outstanding dedication and leadership.
Following a competitive tender process led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), SR was successful in its bid to continue operating the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), the UK’s independent tribunal for anti-doping disputes, for a further three-year term from 1 April 2025 to 2028. We are proud to have been reappointed and see this as a strong endorsement of our ongoing commitment to integrity, fairness, and independence in sport. I would also like to acknowledge the leadership of Kate Gallafent KC, President of the NADP, whose expertise continues to be central to the Panel’s work. We look forward to continuing our support for clean sport in the UK.
The Safeguarding Case Management Programme (SCMP) was extended for a further year from 1 April to continue to provide vital support to NGB’s in relation to the management of safeguarding cases. The programme continues to be well used by the 48 registered National Governing Bodies (NGBs). In addition, SR delivers training sessions for participating NGBs to strengthen processes and build internal capability. Four training sessions were delivered during the year, with a further two planned.
The National Case Team continues to provide an independent secretariat service to sports across the UK and handled a wide range of hearings, investigations, and reviews throughout the year. This included high-profile matters, such as the Paquetá case, and a wide variety of other cases supporting sports at all levels across the UK.
Looking Ahead
Panel Appointments
Our Panel is refreshed every three years to ensure we continue to have the expertise, skills, and experience required to meet the evolving demands of sport. The current Panel was appointed for the term 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027, following a comprehensive recruitment process in early 2024.
Looking ahead, the next Panel term will run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with the recruitment window for new members opening in November 2026. As in previous cycles, we will seek to attract a broad and diverse range of candidates to maintain the depth of expertise, diversity, and international reach that underpin the effectiveness of our Panel. If you are interested in applying, please mark your diaries for November - formal announcements will be made towards the end of 2026.
2026 Annual Conference
We were delighted to celebrate our 10th annual conference earlier this year. The 2025 event, held in association with Winston & Strawn LLP, welcomed over 300 delegates and explored key issues in sport, expertly moderated by broadcaster Jacqui Oatley MBE.
We are now looking ahead to our next conference and hope to welcome many of you once again. The 2026 Annual Conference will take place on Thursday, 7 May, in central London. Early-bird tickets will be available from 5 January, with session details announced over the coming months. In the meantime, please save the date.
It only remains for me to express my hope that you will all have a restful and spectacular festive break over the Christmas period.
