Examples of our work include:

SAFEGUARDING STRATEGIES FOR THE FIFA 2026 WORLD CUP

In 2024 and 2025, in partnership with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Athlead
delivered workshops in New York, Toronto, and Guadalajara for senior representatives of
organisations responsible for hosting and delivering the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The
tournament is the first major sporting event to require human rights commitments from
host cities during the bid process, and will be the first time the tournament will span
multiple host countries. With Athlead’s support, participants, including national federations,
clubs, human rights commissions, and law enforcement, co-created practical safeguarding
action frameworks now shaping host-city policy and practice.

CENTRE FOR SPORT AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Athlead has worked with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR) on several groundbreaking projects:
In 2024, Kat led the Roadmap to Remedy project, developed in response to a shared
concern that existing investigation and resolution mechanisms responding to abuse,
discrimination, and harassment were inadequate, unsafe, and ineffective. The Roadmap to
Remedy Guidance is a series of publications, co-created with Affected Persons how sport
can better respond to harm.

See the video introducing the Roadmap to Remedy here

Athlead also co-delivered two annual Masterclasses with Dr Daniela Heerdt, in
conjunction with the Asser Institute, fostering high-level discussions on overcoming
barriers to safe and effective investigations.

WAR CHILD SPORT AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (PSS) INTERVENTION

Athlead led the development of a specialist intervention that integrates Psychosocial
Support (PSS) with sport-for-development methodologies. In conjunction with a specialist
child psychologist, Athlead designed a 20-week footballing programme that embedded
resilience-building, empowerment, and healing into sporting activities, while ensuring a safe
environment tailored to the needs of conflict-affected children.
The intervention provided War Child with a structured programme that uses sport as a
vehicle for psychosocial recovery and positive development. It created practical tools to
support children’s resilience and well-being, while positioning sport as a sustainable,
empowering mechanism in humanitarian response.

AFDP: FEARLESS FOOTBALL CAMPAIGN

The #FearlessFootball campaign was launched by AFDP Global, the social enterprise led by
HRH Prince Ali of Jordan, in response to widespread abuse, harassment, and exploitation in
women’s football, calling on governing bodies to implement safeguarding codes,
whistleblowing mechanisms, enforcement policies, and proper support for affected players.
Athlead provided strategic advice to strengthen the campaign, helping AFDP mobilise
athletes and advocates to amplify its work.