How police sport builds resilience, connection and careers

Last month, the Team Police community gathered at Salesforce Tower for an evening that went beyond sport. Through personal stories and candid conversations, officers showed how police sport can protect mental health, build resilience, and even save careers.

Guests arrived at 5:30PM for a drinks reception, taking in the city views and settling in for an evening of conversation. By 6:00PM, presentations began, framed by three exceptional speakers who shared their personal journeys and the impact of sport on policing life.

The event, supported by new Team Police partner Sopra Steria, highlighted how collaboration between forces, sponsors, and communities underpins the success of police sport initiatives.

Speakers share stories of resilience

Issy Bailey – British Paralympic shooter at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. After a life-changing car accident in 2013, Issy returned to competitive shooting and joined the GB Paralympic squad in 2014. She has also competed in wheelchair rugby and basketball, showing her versatility and determination.

Tey Lynn-Jones – Police Constable with the Metropolitan Police Service, specialising in Emergency Response Policing. A former professional boxer who defended the Southern Area middleweight title, Tey now represents the Met in running, CrossFit, and football, showing how sport can complement a policing career.

Claire Finn – Head of ICT Governance & Assurance for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. Secretary of the Oxfordshire Girls Football League, Claire has expanded participation from around 750 girls pre-COVID to nearly 4,000 weekly. She’s passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to engage in sport.

After the presentations, attendees discussed resilience in sport over dinner, sharing experiences and exploring how sport supports officers facing personal and professional challenges.

Sport as a lifeline

A story from the British Women’s Police Cricket section highlighted sport’s power to help officers through dark times. One officer, affected by the tragic Southport incident, initially hesitated to join a tour. With careful support, she took part off-field and gradually joined her teammates.

Over two days, her mood improved, laughter returned, and she reconnected with colleagues, showing how sport can prevent months away from work and support mental wellbeing.

Breaking rank and building trust

City of London Police described their Summer and Winter Games, which unite departments for a single day of competition. While brief, the events foster camaraderie, build networks and strengthen community connections.

Tey Lynn-Jones explained how sport can dissolve hierarchical barriers. Officers engage with senior ranks in a relaxed setting, building confidence and networks that can transform careers. He recalled gaining marathon protection duties for the then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt through connections made at a CrossFit event.

Sport for every officer

Sport isn’t just for the naturally athletic. Tey encouraged all officers to participate, while Claire highlighted alternative ways to get involved – coaching, scoring, or organising. This ensures inclusive participation for introverted or less sporty colleagues.

Fair access matters

One table discussed fairness in accessing sport. Like youth sport, equitable opportunities strengthen resilience and recognise the dedication of all officers and staff. Time off to participate, however, remains inconsistent across forces, a challenge the community agreed must be addressed.

CEO urges forces to back sport

Dave Hartley, CEO of Police Sport UK, closed the evening with a clear call to action. Sport builds resilience, supports mental wellbeing, and strengthens teams. Using the Southport story as an example, he emphasised that sport can be a lifeline when officers need it most.

Sport benefits officers across three key areas:

Physical Health – Fitness and resilience for policing demands
Psychological Health – Supporting mental wellbeing and managing stress
Social Health – Creating connections, camaraderie, and support networks

These pillars show why sport should be a core wellbeing priority for every force. It boosts fitness, mental health, and teamwork, benefiting officers and staff alike.

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