Urge to break down barriers for people with diabetes in sports
Chris Bloore MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Redditch and the Villages, has called on Government and the sport and physical activity sector to take urgent action to make sport more inclusive for people living with diabetes, following the submission of major new evidence and guidance to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Activity Alliance was pleased to be among partners who supported their seven principles document.
The submission, which includes the Diabetes in sport executive summary, alongside the Principles of Inclusive Practice for People with Diabetes in Sport and Exercise Settings, sets out both the scale of the challenge facing millions of people across the UK and the practical steps needed to ensure they can participate safely, confidently and without discrimination.
Diabetes affects an estimated 5.8 million people in the UK, including around 44,000 children with Type 1 diabetes. Research shows that children with Type 1 diabetes are less physically active than their peers, while adults with Type 2 diabetes are only around half as active as the general population. 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, a key organisation advocating for these changes, added:
“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:
“As a Sky Sports presenter living with type 1 diabetes, I have been incredibly fortunate to travel the world, witness some of the most extraordinary sporting moments and meet truly inspiring individuals from across the sporting landscape. I have seen first-hand how sport has the power to transform lives but I have also, all too often, witnessed the barriers, lack of provision and discrimination that prevent people with diabetes from taking part altogether. All this despite the legal protections afforded to those living with a hidden disability under the Equality Act 2010.
"Too many people are being excluded or made to feel like a burden simply because the right policies, education and support systems are not in place. There is strong evidence showing that, as a result, many people with diabetes are dropping out of sport entirely.
"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:
“Sport and physical activity should be open to everyone but for too many people living with diabetes, barriers, stigma and a lack of understanding still stand in the way.
"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.
Bloore added:
“Physical activity plays a vital role in managing long-term health conditions and improving physical and mental wellbeing. If we are serious about tackling health inequalities, we cannot allow people with diabetes to be excluded from the benefits of being active.
"Here in Redditch and the Villages, we have a strong sporting tradition. I want to see local clubs, schools and leisure providers leading the way by embedding these principles, so no one misses out because of their condition.”
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.
