Performance sport can be tough and so it's vital that athletes are supported throughout their journey in sport. We hope that the content and resources published in this section will help ensure wellbeing of all athletes.
The term Performance Wellbeing represents our goal to support our people to be safe and well, to reach their performance potential, to cope with the demands of performance sport and to reflect positively on their experiences.
If you're facing a challenge we hope there is someone or something here to help you, and if not, we want to help find it! You will find contact details in this section for a variety of people that will be able to offer guidance or signpost you to further support.
Performance Wellbeing Group (PWG)
As part of our commitment to Performance Wellbeing we created the Performance Wellbeing Group (PWG). It contains key staff, athletes, and volunteers to put wellbeing on the agenda within our Talent and Performance programmes.
The group have helped to embed the concept of performance wellbeing within our programme activities, and continue working to ensure that wellbeing is prioritised within our policies and procedures. To understand how the group operates, you can download its Terms of Reference below.
- Performance Wellbeing Group Terms of Reference170.39 KBFebruary 2, 2022This document contains the Terms of Reference for the Performance Wellbeing Group.
PWG Members
The members of the PWG come from a range of backgrounds. They are:
- Performance Wellbeing Coach Paddle UK
- Coaching Representative British Canoeing: Sid Sinfield (Performance Coach Developer)
- Performance Lifestyle Representative: Emma Groome or Sabrina Heimler (Performance Lifestyle Advisors at the English Institute of Sport)
- Performance Psychology Representative: Jonathan Smith
- BAC Representative - Fiona Semple (Athlete Support Manager)
- Athlete Attendees - Emilia McAllister-Jepps (retired Sprint athlete and former Chair of the Athlete Rep Group), Rhys Davies (retired Slalom athlete and PhD student), Hope Gordon (ParaCanoe WCP athlete), and our current Athlete Rep Group
- Two Independent Members - Dr Vanessa Impey, Julie Littlewood
If you're worried about something or if you have a concern or question related to your involvement in paddling, we want to address it. Communication is essential for us to resolve problems, but also for us to be aware of and deal with potential issues before problems arise.
People you can speak to
Contacts for WCP and England Talent Programme/Academy:
- Your coach or support team Emma Groome and Ryan Fagan - Performance Lifestyle Advisors (if applicable)
- Richard Ramsdale - Head of Talent
- Mark Ratcliffe (Slalom) and Chris Furber (Sprint and Paracanoe) - Performance Directors.
- Any staff member you feel comfortable with.
Our Athlete Reps represent the voice of WCP and GB team athletes within our Olympic and Paralympic disciplines and are available to support with questions or concerns. You can contact them face to face in the training environment, via email or social media. Our Reps are:
- Hope Gordon (ParaCanoe)
- Laura Sugar (ParaCanoe)
- Lewis Fletcher (Canoe Sprint).
The British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA) is an independent membership association representing the interests of World Class Programme athletes. You can contact the BEAA through its website linked here.
Sport Integrity is a confidential reporting line and independent investigation service available for all athletes and staff on Olympic and Paralympic performance programmes. It exists so you can report allegations of unacceptable behaviour. You can contact Sport Integrity through its website linked here.
Please rest assured that your questions or concerns can be raised in confidence until you're ready and comfortable with any next steps (unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others).
Contacts for Club members
There exists a number of options for club members to reach out. These are:
- Your Coach
- Your Club Welfare Officer
- Your Club's Committee Members
- Paddle UK's Safeguarding Team
Most questions or concerns can be resolved quickly and informally through discussion with an appropriate person such as those listed above. However, in some cases a formal procedure will need to be followed. Please find Paddle UK's safeguarding policies section linked here.
Below are a range of documents you might find useful should you wish to reach out.
- Paddle UK Competition Appeals Procedure160.75 KBMarch 13, 2024This is the Paddle UK Competition Appeals Procedure relating to appeals involving international team selection decisions for major international competitions (such as World Championships) and all decisions to nominate an athlete to the British team at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
- Paddle UK World Class Programme Appeals Procedure234.02 KBMarch 13, 2024This is the Paddle UK World Class Programme (WCP) Appeals Procedure relating to appealing qualification decisions for the Paddle UK WCP.
- England Talent Athlete Complaints Policy365.75 KBMarch 13, 2024This document contains the procedure for making a complaint if you are an athlete on the England Talent Programme.
- England Talent Programme Athlete Disciplinary Process224.26 KBMarch 13, 2024This document outlines the processes for addressing disciplinary issues of athletes on the England Talent Programme.
- Performance Programme Athlete Complaints Policy365.75 KBMarch 13, 2024This document outlines the process for athletes on the performance programme to make a complaint.
- Performance Programme Athlete Disciplinary Policy469.85 KBMarch 13, 2024This document outlines the process for addressing misconduct by athletes on the Performance Programme.
- Paddle UK Athlete Terms and Conditions155.96 KBMarch 13, 2024As a Paddle UK athlete you have access to support and resources to help you develop in the sport. To preserve this provision and to ensure the welfare of everyone involved, there are a number of terms and conditions. This document outlines those terms and conditions.
- Paddle UK Athlete Code of Conduct254.20 KBMarch 13, 2024This document is the Paddle UK Athlete Code of Conduct to be signed and completed by athletes on the programme.
- Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Disciplinary, Dispute, and Appeals Regulations335.34 KBOctober 2, 2022This document contains our organisation's Disciplinary, Dispute, and Appeals Regulations. The regulations are the means by which the organisation exercises disciplinary authority in relation to its rules, policies, codes and procedures and are binding on all Members (including former Members), Volunteers, Clubs, Centres, Coaches and Participants.
- Complaints Policy113.25 KBOctober 2, 2022If you feel we have fallen short of achieving our high standards, then this document sets out a complaints procedure to help establish a clear, transparent and accountable system for you to lodge a complaint.