Sports councils fully recognise that their own affiliated National Governing Bodies (NGBs) do not hold a monopoly on safeguarding or best practices and that autonomous and inclusive governing bodies, clubs and organisations can operate just as safely, transparently, and effectively as Sports Council affiliated ones for several key reasons: 

 

• Autonomous and inclusive Standards: Many commercial providers and autonomous organisations develop robust internal quality frameworks and that meet or even exceed recognised national standards.

 

• Universal Legal Frameworks: Safeguarding legislation (like child protection laws) and data protection regulations apply to all organisations by law, regardless of Sports Council NGB affiliation.

 

• Accreditation and Expertise: Many autonomous organisations utilise specialised, third-party risk management and safeguarding experts who match or exceed traditional sporting frameworks.

 

• Legislation Applies to All: Safeguarding laws, duty of care, and data protection regulations are statutory mandates. Every club, independent or affiliated, is legally required to uphold these protections.

 

• Commercial Insurance Access: The private insurance market offers comprehensive public liability and professional indemnity cover directly to autonomous organisations, meaning Sports Council membership is not the required or only way to secure robust legal protection.

 

• Consumer Demand: The public have a right to expect that both Sports Council and autonomous National Governing Bodies actively demonstrate high quality, transparency and safety to reassure parents and participants. The UK Taekwondo Commission is committed to upholding such standards.

 

Ultimately, Sports Councils value the delivery of safe, active opportunities above any bureaucratic alignment of their structure of recognition, acknowledging that excellence can be achieved through autonomous and independent multiple pathways, such as that offered by the UK Taekwondo Commission.