**Charity number: 1050767 Company number: 3124177**
**UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY (operating as Sport Excel UK) DIRECTORS' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
**UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Legal and administrative information|**1**|
|Directors report|**2 - 7**|
|Statement of financial activities|**8**|
|Balance Sheet|**9 & 10**|
|Notes to the financial statements|**11 - 13**|
**UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**STATUS**||
|---|---|
|**Company number**|3124177|
|**Charity number**|1050767|
|**Registered office**|20-22 Wenlock Road|
||London|
||N1 7GU|
|**Bankers**|HSBC|
||16 King Street|
||Covent Garden|
||London|
||WC2E 8JF|
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The Directors present their Annual Report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Structure and Governance**
Sport Excel UK (registered charity name: United Kingdom Sports Association for People with Learning Disability) is a company limited by guarantee without share capital, operating across the UK as the recognised body for high-performance sport for athletes with intellectual impairment, Down syndrome and autism.
The Charity is governed by a Board of Directors, who are both Directors under company law and Trustees under charity law. Trustees serving during the period were:
- Genevieve Gordon (Chair), Fiona Reid, Gavin McLeod, Lynne Glen and Andy Heffer, with Nick Hawkins and Peter Ackred until 19.7.23 and 20.7.23 respectively.
The Chief Executive continued to be Tracey McCillen, supported by voluntary colleagues, interns, and technical experts across eligibility, safeguarding, and sport.
The Board maintains a commitment to strong governance, equality, diversity, and inclusion, reflecting the Charity’s mission and the National Equality Standard. Governance is supported by a committee structure including:
- Sport & Selection Committees
- National Eligibility Committee
- Welfare Committee
- Management Committee
The Charity continues to operate virtually, enabling UK-wide engagement while remaining costeffective and accessible.
Sport Excel UK remains the only recognised Great Britain member of Virtus, and the only organisation in the UK authorised to evaluate and submit eligibility and classification applications to Virtus for international consideration. We are a voting member of the British Paralympic Association and recognised by UK Sport (although currently unfunded).
An induction framework for new trustees remains in place, providing access to key documents, governance materials, and meetings with the CEO and Chair.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Established in 1979, the Charity exists to:
1. Relieve people with learning disability by facilitating access to sport and physical recreation at national and international level, including competitive opportunities that support their integration into society.
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2. Relieve poverty and advance education, training, social development and life skills for people with learning disability.
Our vision is:
_A society that enables people with intellectual impairment, Down syndrome and autism to excel and achieve their full potential in the sport of their choice._
Our mission is:
_To promote, facilitate and support talented sports people with intellectual disability, Down syndrome and autism in the UK to train, compete and excel in national and international sport._
We use the term ‘intellectual impairment’ in sport which includes all three classifications of intellectual disability, down syndrome and autism.
## **Strategic Priorities**
Sport Excel UK continues to deliver against five strategic pillars:
- Eligibility and Classification
- Supporting Athletes, Talent and Performance
- Leadership and Communication
- Changing the Culture
- Governance and Infrastructure
Our work is delivered through collaboration with a wide network of partners, including Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Sport Wales, Down Syndrome Swimming GB, Virtus, the British Paralympic Association, multiple National Governing Bodies at UK and Home Country level, and multiple organisations across sport, disability, academia, and the commercial sector.
## **Success Highlights: 2023–24**
## **Overview**
This has been a year of rebuilding momentum, expanding pathways, and strengthening Sport Excel UK’s essential role as the national leader for athletes with intellectual impairment, Down syndrome and autism. Demand for support and classification continues to grow year-on-year, reflecting both increased participation and the trusted role of Sport Excel UK within the performance system.
Despite ongoing challenges in national funding structures, the Charity has delivered significant impact, driven by strong partnerships, committed volunteers, and a clear focus on athlete experience and fairness.
Below are highlights from the year.
## **1. Eligibility and Classification – A Year of High Demand**
Eligibility and Classification remains one of the most complex and high-impact areas of Sport Excel UK’s work.
During 2023–24 we:
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- Processed a record number of applications, reflecting increased engagement across athletics, swimming, tennis, judo, equestrian, hockey, karate and team sports.
- Strengthened collaboration with NGBs as they prepared for Paris 2024 and focused our efforts on the Virtus Global Games cycle.
- Expanded athlete and parent sessions and conversations to improve understanding of requirements, timelines, and international standards.
- Ensured full compliance with Virtus rules as the UK’s mandated body.
- Continued to implement quality control procedures led by our National Eligibility Officers, ensuring robust, fair, and transparent evaluations.
This work remains vital. Without Sport Excel UK, British athletes cannot be entered for Virtus Championships, IPC pathway opportunities, or many NGB performance programmes and some International Federation events.
## **2. Great Britain Team Representation – Virtus Global Games, Vichy 2023**
The Virtus Global Games (June 2023) were a defining moment in the reporting year.
Sport Excel UK successfully planned, prepared, and led one of the largest and most diverse GB Teams to date, covering athletics, swimming, tennis, equestrian, judo, and karate.
Highlights included:
- A multi-sport GB delegation of athletes, coaches, and staff representing Great Britain with pride.
- Personal bests, finals, and podium performances across multiple sports.
- Strengthened safeguarding and athlete welfare protocols, including anti-doping education, predeparture briefings, and parent/family engagement.
- A communications campaign that increased visibility of GB athletes and showcased positive athlete stories across the UK.
The Global Games demonstrated the depth of British talent and reinforced the importance of Virtus pathways as a legitimate and essential high-performance option for UK athletes outside the narrow Paralympic framework.
## **3. Developing Pathways Across Sports**
Sport Excel UK continues to work collaboratively to strengthen and rebuild pathways in:
- Para-Equestrian: Growth in participation in video competitions and early pathway engagement.
- Judo: Continued support to British Judo supporting international representation and domestic interest.
- Cricket: Ongoing collaboration with ECB recognising players with learning disability at international level.
- Tennis: Ongoing support and collaboration with the LTA enabling players to engage in activity and where appropriate excel to national and international levels.
- Table Tennis, Karate, Hockey, Equestrian, Swimming, Athletics, and others: Supporting athletes through eligibility, event preparation, and system navigation.
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This multi-sport footprint remains unique in the UK and is one of the strongest indicators of Sport Excel UK’s public benefit and sector value.
## **4. Athlete, Parent, and Community Support**
Day-to-day support remains a central pillar of Sport Excel UK’s work.
During the year, the Charity:
- Responded to hundreds of enquiries from parents, athletes, and coaches.
- Supported sensitive and complex welfare concerns through the Welfare Committee.
- Provided guidance to athletes who experienced exclusion, confusion, or barriers within the sports system.
- Continued to strengthen trust with families and athletes, reflected in positive feedback and increased engagement.
This personalised support is one of Sport Excel UK’s unique contributions and underlines the Charity’s role in safeguarding athlete experience at every stage.
## **5. Influence, Leadership, and Representation**
The UK has continued to play a role internationally:
- UK representatives remained active across Virtus committees, sport directorates, eligibility leadership, and working groups.
- The Charity contributed to governance and policy discussions, advocating fairness, transparency, and strong integrity standards.
- Collaboration with key partners (including NGBs, disability organisations, and the BPA) continued to position Sport Excel UK as a respected lead body in this field.
This influence ensures that British athletes’ voices are heard and that the UK shapes global best practice.
## **6. International Partnership: Golf Ireland and EDGA**
Sport Excel UK was approached by EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) and Golf Ireland to provide eligibility and classification services for Irish golfers with intellectual impairment, filling a national governance gap and enabling access to Virtus eligibility and the WR4GD world ranking pathway for the first time. The resulting Memorandum of Understanding establishes Sport Excel UK as the pathway provider for Ireland and reflects the growing international recognition of our expertise, systems and professional standards.
This development has been positively received by partners and is significant in strengthening equity, integrity and opportunity for golfers with intellectual impairment. It expands our multi-sport footprint into golf, demonstrates the exportability of our model to support nations without a Virtus member body, and further reinforces Sport Excel UK’s influence and leadership across Europe.
## **Operations and Income Generation**
Sport Excel UK continues to operate through a voluntary workforce, led by the CEO and supported by trustees, volunteer sport leads, psychologists, welfare advisors, interns, and administrative support.
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Partnerships with Red Ink Creative, Tactic Connect, Stewart Hindley & Co., and others continue to provide vital pro-bono professional support.
Income generation remains challenging, particularly within a national landscape focused almost exclusively on Paralympic pathways. The Business Development Committee continues to explore partnerships, membership models, and commercial opportunities, while acknowledging the limitations of a volunteer-run structure.
There were no formal complaints during this period. The Charity reported no serious incidents during this period.
## **Public Benefit**
Sport Excel UK continues to demonstrate substantial public benefit by:
- Advocating equality and fairness in sport for people with intellectual disability, Down syndrome and autism.
- Providing essential classification, support, and pathways that would not otherwise exist.
- Promoting wellbeing, confidence, life skills, and social inclusion through sport.
- Challenging structural inequalities in UK sport by giving athletes a platform to excel.
- Challenging misconceptions around athletes with intellectual disability, down syndrome and autism and providing space or their voices to be heard.
- Contributing to safer, more inclusive practices within NGBs and the wider system.
- Supporting families and creating a sense of community and belonging.
The Charity’s work enhances health, expands opportunity, and advances equality – all core principles of public benefit.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Charity seeks to build reserves equivalent to at least three months of operating costs. Progress remains slow due to ongoing income challenges, but efforts continue to strengthen the Charity’s financial resilience.
## **Risk Management**
The Directors review strategic, operational, and financial risks on a regular basis. Systems are in place to identify risks early and take mitigating action. Key risks remain centred on sustainable funding, volunteer capacity, and growing demand for services.
## **Acknowledgements**
The Board extends sincere thanks to:
- All athletes and families who engage with Sport Excel UK
- The voluntary CEO, Tracey McCillen
- Our volunteer colleagues, interns, and placement students
- Red Ink Creative, Tactic Connect, Stewart Hindley & Co., Kemlyn, and all pro-bono supporters
- National Governing Bodies and Virtus partners across the UK and globally
- Members of the National Eligibility Committee and other committees
- Our dedicated staff and volunteers who support GB Teams and athletes everyday
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Most importantly, we congratulate the many athletes across the UK who achieved personal milestones, represented Great Britain, or simply rediscovered confidence and joy in sport this year. Their achievements inspire us and drive the purpose of Sport Excel UK.
## BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
Genevieve Gordon Director
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## **UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Notes**
**Income**
Grants, donations and other income
2
Investment income
3
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
GB Team Programme
Office costs
Printing, postage & stationery
Telephone & internet
Information technology costs
Subscriptions, membership & service fee
Storage & Archives
Bank charges
Insurance and other expenses
**Total expenditure**
**Net (deficit) for the year**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
80,686
10,641
20
4
80,706
10,645
85,608
0
481
614
453
190
125
119
0
944
3,033
5975
7,991
7,142
360
65
985
877
99,037
15,926
(18,331)
(5,281)
3,651
8,932
(14,680)
3,651|
|---|---|
The notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these financial statements
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## **UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Notes**
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible assets
5
**Current Assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
Debtors and prepayments
**Creditors: amounts falling**
**due within one year**
6
**Net Current Assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Advance income received|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1
1
3,891
5,788
385
385
4,276
6,173
1,900
2,523
2,376
3,650
2,377
3,651
(14,680)
3,151
0
500
17,057
0
2,377
3,651|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1
1
3,891
5,788
385
385
4,276
6,173
1,900
2,523
2,376
3,650
2,377
3,651
(14,680)
3,151
0
500
17,057
0
2,377
3,651|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||3,651|
|||3,151
500
0|
|||3,651|
The notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these financial statements
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**UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 MARCH 2024**
## Audit Exemption Statement
For the year ended 31 March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
## Directors’ responsibilities:
the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the period in question in accordance with section 476.
the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board on 30 May 2025
…………………………………….
## **Genevieve Gordon Director**
The notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these financial statements
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**UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## _**1.1 Accounting convention**_
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and follow the recommendations in "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice" issued in October 2000.
The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement because it is a small charity.
## _**1.2 Income**_
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold. Donated assets are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.
## _**1.3 Expenditure**_
Expenditure is recognised in the year in which it is incurred.
Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.
Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management.
Management and administration costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
## _**1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**_
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
25% straight line
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## **UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**2024**
**2. Grants, donations & other income**
**£**
Fund raising & donations
264
Classification
2,726
UK squad competitions
68,735
Other income
8,962
80,686
**2024**
**3. Investment Income**
**£**
Deposit interest
20
**2024**
**4. Operating surplus / (deficit)**
**£**
The operating surplus / deficit is stated after charging:
Depreciation and other amounts written off tangible assets
0
**Furniture**
**and computer**
**equipment**
**5. Tangible fixed assets**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
3,711
Additions
0
At 31 March 2024
3,711
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2023
3,710
Charge for the year
0
At 31 March 2024
3,710
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2024
1
At 31 March 2023
1|**2023**
**£**
681
2,165
2,017
5,778|
|---|---|
||10,641|
||**2023**
**£**
4|
||**2023**
**£**
0|
||**Total**
**£**
3,711
0|
||3,711|
||3,710
0|
||3,710|
||1|
||1|
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## **UNITED KINGDOM SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY operating as Sport Excel UK NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Creditors and accruals|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
1,900
2,523
1,900
2,523|
|---|---|
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