Last week I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 18th Council of Europe Conference for Ministers in Sport as a Youth Delegate for the UK. This event brought together sports ministers, secretaries, and leading organisations from across Europe in Porto, Portugal. The conference's theme, “Governing and Governance in Sport: Supporting a Fresh Approach to Match its Societal Importance,” emphasised the evolving role of sport in today’s society, and it marked the first time that young people were invited to participate—a significant and exciting milestone.

This year’s conference was particularly special, as it also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Macolin Convention, a groundbreaking treaty aimed at preventing, detecting, and punishing match-fixing in sport.

The first day featured insightful panels discussing the Macolin Convention's progress over the past decade. As the only legally binding document in its field, the convention has steadily gained member countries and plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of sport. Given the rise of online betting, its importance has only increased, making it essential for international collaboration to combat illegal activity.

One of the most eye-opening discussions was about the role of journalists in maintaining sports integrity. I learned that journalists are often at the forefront of exposing match-fixing and illegal betting through investigative reporting. Their work is vital in shining a light on corruption and ensuring that sport remains authentic and fair.

As Youth Delegates, we had the unique opportunity to observe the final part of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) consultative committee meeting. EPAS promotes the development of sports with wide-reaching societal benefits, and it was fascinating to see the work being done at a European level to support various sports initiatives.

We also had time to network with delegates and representatives from different sports organisations. These conversations were a highlight for me, as I gained valuable insights into their strategies for tackling issues like discrimination in sport, anti-piracy measures, and revenue protection. The opportunity to exchange ideas with individuals passionate about improving sport at both grassroots and policy levels was inspiring.

Day two featured the main event: the Conference for Ministers in Sport. It was incredible to hear from representatives of numerous countries, sharing their successes, current projects, and future plans. Several key points stuck with me:

• The push for greater gender parity in sports governance, with a focus on encouraging more women to join governing bodies.
• The recognition of the importance of youth involvement in sport, not only as athletes but as contributors to decision-making processes.
• The emphasis on collaboration between countries to share projects, ideas, and resources - fostering a more unified approach to improving sport across Europe.

One of the most rewarding experiences was being part of the youth panel, where I had the opportunity to speak about the importance of youth voices in sport. I emphasised the need for ongoing youth involvement in developing sport sustainably. During our youth initiative sessions, we delved into topics such as the Ladder of Participation, a scale that ranks the levels of youth involvement in decision-making processes. This model was a key talking point as we discussed how to involve young people more deeply at both local and European levels.

In my remarks, I highlighted three crucial points for fostering a sustainable future in sport:

• Cross-government collaboration: Different departments—such as health, education, youth, and sport—must work together to improve sport holistically.
• Youth leadership: Young people should be given the opportunity to lead conversations and initiatives in sport, as their perspectives are essential for long-term growth.
• Inclusivity: We must always consider underserved communities when making decisions in sport, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.

Attending the Council of Europe Conference was an enriching and empowering experience. I left Porto feeling inspired and eager to contribute further to the future of sports governance. The insights I gained, the connections I made, and the lessons I learned have fueled my passion to get more involved and advocate for the inclusion of youth voices in shaping the future of sport.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend such an exciting event and to contribute to the future of sport at a European level. I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned and will continue working towards a brighter, more inclusive future for sport locally, nationally and internationally.