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Provision of Comprehensive Legal Representation and Advice Pilot Scheme for Coaches within the British High-Performance System

THE UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

Award

22 Jul 2026 at 13:23

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
TenderUpdate

12 Dec 2025 at 16:07

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

08 Dec 2025 at 11:52

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

08 Dec 2025 at 11:41

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

03 Dec 2025 at 15:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

28 Nov 2025 at 15:48

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

21 Nov 2025 at 14:29

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The United Kingdom Sports Council (UK Sport) procured a UK-wide legal support service for coaches working in British high-performance and World Class Performance programmes. The single service covers dedicated legal advice and representation for employment matters, contract negotiations, safeguarding issues, disciplinary proceedings and other complex or routine legal needs. It also includes coach-focused education and training materials, intended to improve legal awareness and support safer, more inclusive sporting environments. The requirement is a service contract in the legal advisory and representation sector. Delivery is across the United Kingdom and is intended to support the development of a longer-term legal support model linked to the Independent Coaches Body. The service is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This completed below-threshold procurement used an open competition and one lot. The tender deadline was 5 January 2026 at 3:00pm, following an enquiry deadline of 1 December 2025 at 3:00pm. The contract was awarded on 22 May 2026 to The National Coaching Foundation (UK Coaching), an SME, and signed the same day. The contract runs from 22 May 2026 to 30 April 2028. Its published gross value is £450,000 including VAT; the tender budget was stated as up to £400,000–£450,000 inclusive of VAT, with payment based on delivered work. Evaluation allocated 50% to service quality, 30% to pricing and 20% equally to equality, diversity and inclusion and environmental sustainability. Pricing covered a monthly retainer and blended hourly rates.

This requirement demonstrates demand for a specialist, coach-centred legal service within elite sport, combining routine advice with representation in complex or urgent cases. Credible future suppliers would need demonstrable expertise in employment, safeguarding, disciplinary and sport-specific matters, or comparable experience in sectors with similar legal and welfare pressures. Strong propositions would show clear access, escalation and case-management arrangements, responsive and confidential delivery, and the ability to operate as a single provider, panel or aggregator. Relevant case studies, client references, qualified delivery staff and appropriate professional certifications or accreditations would strengthen credibility. Suppliers should also be able to produce regular practical resources, such as guides, FAQs, videos, newsletters or podcasts, while demonstrating sound governance, data protection, EDI and environmental policies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Comprehensive Legal Representation and Advice Pilot Scheme for Coaches within the British High-Performance System

Notice Description

UK Sport is committed to delivering a world-leading high-performance system that enables British athletes to achieve success on the global stage, within environments that are safe, inclusive, and supportive. As part of our strategic ambition to foster a thriving sporting system with positive societal impact, we are investing in the professional wellbeing of the coaching workforce that underpins elite sport. UK Sport is seeking tenders from experienced and suitably qualified legal service providers, through an open Invitation to Tender ("ITT"), for the delivery of a Pilot Scheme comprising dedicated legal representation and advice services for high performance coaches operating within the UK's World Class Performance Programmes (the "Pilot Scheme"). This procurement (the "Procurement") represents a key element of UK Sport's interim support offer for coaches and will serve as a critical building block in the development of the Independent Coaches Body ("ICB"). While experience delivering legal services within the sports sector, particularly in high-performance or elite sporting environments and in alignment with sector frameworks such as Sport Integrity, is highly valued, UK Sport also welcomes applications from providers outside the sector. Bidders are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by coaches, including employment, safeguarding, and disciplinary matters, and to provide evidence of their capability to deliver high-quality, relevant, and responsive legal support tailored to the needs of high-performance coaches and the wider sports sector. The Pilot Scheme is a direct response to the findings of the Whyte Review (2023), which identified the need for systemic reform to create safer, more supportive environments across UK sport. In partnership with Sport England, UK Sport has committed to a joint policy response that prioritises the professionalisation of coaching, enhanced wellbeing provision, and a culture of safeguarding and accountability. Further research, including the Care for Coaches report (UK Coaching & Liverpool John Moores University, 2024)1, has highlighted legal representation as a critical area of unmet need. Coaches often face complex employment, disciplinary, and safeguarding challenges without access to consistent or affordable legal support, an area which the Pilot Scheme intends to address. This Procurement will therefore enable the provision of timely, expert advice and representation across employment matters, contract negotiations, and safeguarding or disciplinary proceedings for coaches in the high-performance system. This service will not only meet immediate needs but also inform the long-term legal support model to be delivered through the ICB as a core membership benefit. Objectives The objectives of the Pilot Scheme are as follows (the "Pilot Scheme Objectives"): A. Empower Coaches through Legal Advice and Representation Ensure that eligible coaches have access to high-quality legal support services. B. Deliver a Cost-Effective and Efficient Pilot Scheme Ensure the Pilot Scheme is operationally and financially efficient, effective in its delivery, and clearly understood by all stakeholders. Contract Value UK Sport has budgeted to make payments of up to a value of PS400,000-450,000 (inclusive of VAT) to cover all costs associat ed with the delivery of the Services across the full term of the Pilot Scheme. Payment will be made only for work that is delivered, calculated in accordance with the relevant agreed fee structure not exceeding the maximum budget in aggregate. Contract Duration The Pilot Scheme is a pilot and therefore UK Sport propose to enter into the Contract with the Tenderer from the date on which the Contract is signed by both parties (the "Contract Commencement Date") for a duration of two (2) years (the "Term"), unless terminated in accordance with the terms contained therein.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e667
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069167-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

66513100 - Legal expenses insurance services

79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£375,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£375,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
5 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 May 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4PU
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

The National Coaching Foundation (UK Coaching)

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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