Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Establish a central training fund for stewards, funded by sporting leagues' revenues
Recommendation
Despite efforts at self-regulation, clubs and governing bodies have failed to set and enforce coherent minimum stewarding standards, to the detriment of the experiences of stewards and the safety of attendees. We recommend that the Government and SGSA should work with sporting bodies to establish a central training fund for stewards at all levels of their sport, with contributions from sporting leagues being tied to their revenue. (Paragraph 80) Stadium management
Government Response Summary
The government outlined a comprehensive, £1.5 million, three-year reform package for stewarding in football, funded by the Premier League and EFL. This package includes improved training, professional development, and a national steward register, directly addressing the call for a central training fund and improved standards.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We welcome the Committee’s emphasis on steward training and agree that this is crucial for ensuring spectator safety. The National Occupational Standards for spectator safety were reviewed with industry and updated in 2019; there are provisions on stewarding in the Green Guide published by SGSA; and in 2023, we published a set of factsheets produced by SGSA which set out in clear terms the key issues for sports venues in relation to stewarding, including guidance on roles and responsibilities. The SGSA’s Working Group has developed a comprehensive plan to raise standards of stewarding in football - the Premier League and English Football League have subsequently agreed to fund a multipronged reform package at c. £1.5 million over a three year period to: improve the quality and consistency of training; ensure stewards have access to continuing professional development; develop a national register of event stewards working within football; and to improve the strategic relationship between football and the supply industry. Ministers will continue to engage with industry in this space as the project develops.