Grassroots sport is the foundation of sporting participation across the UK, helping millions of people train, compete and stay active in their communities.
And while recognition of the role nutrition can play in supporting health, recovery and performance is growing, access to qualified sports nutrition expertise has not kept pace.
New research commissioned by GetPRO Professional reveals the scale of that gap – and where there may be opportunities to help close it.
The Grassroots Sports Nutrition Report 2026 brings together findings from two nationally representative surveys involving 2,000 UK adults: 1,000 people working within or closely involved in grassroots sports clubs, and 1,000 participating in grassroots sport, including amateur athletes, players and parents.
Recognition is growing. Access isn’t.
The findings reveal a clear disconnect.
More than half of grassroots clubs (51%) report having no access to a sports nutritionist, while 77% of respondents do not turn to a qualified sports nutritionist for sports nutrition advice. And 85% believe there is a significant gap between elite and grassroots sport when it comes to nutrition knowledge and support.
So, what’s standing in the way?
Funding and budget constraints were the most commonly identified barrier, cited by 47% of those working within grassroots sport. Respondents also pointed to gaps in education, limited access to qualified sports nutritionists and a lack of club investment.
Getting the fundamentals right
The research also provides a clear picture of where grassroots athletes want greater support – and it isn’t necessarily highly specialised strategies designed for elite athletes.
Respondents prioritised the fundamentals: hydration (37%), fuelling for performance (35%), recovery nutrition (34%), healthy eating (34%), protein intake (33%) and meal planning (32%).
This presents an important opportunity: to make trusted, evidence-based expertise more accessible and help translate sports nutrition science into practical guidance that works in everyday grassroots settings.
From research to action
That’s why GetPRO Professional is supporting a third round of their Grassroots Sports Nutrition Grant programme. Hosted in proud partnership with the nutrition society, the grant programme connects qualified and early-career sports nutritionists with grassroots clubs.
By supporting sports nutritionists to deliver nutrition projects within community sport, the programme aims to increase access to evidence-based nutrition advice while creating valuable opportunities for sports nutritionists to gain practical experience in the field.
The Grassroots Sports Nutrition Report 2026 explores the findings in full, from the barriers limiting access to the areas where greater support could make a difference.
Download the report to discover what the research tells us about the future of sports nutrition support in grassroots sport.
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Disclaimer: This information is intended for Health and/or Nutrition Professionals working within the field of sport and performance nutrition, including sports nutritionists, dietitians, sports scientists, coaches, athletic trainers and others who have professional training in nutrition and human physiology.