Why I Started Onside HQ And Why It Matters
“Onside HQ was built for the unseen moments. Where clarity, courage, and better decisions begin.”
After more than 20 years in high-performance sport, as an Olympian, administrator, coach, and integrity lead, I’ve seen just how hard it is for people inside the system to access clear, trustworthy support. And I’ve seen what happens when they can’t.
Too often, athletes are left in the dark. Coaches are expected to be everything to everyone. And support staff are pushed to make high-stakes decisions without the right information or backing. When something goes wrong, the path forward is usually unclear, adversarial, slow, or too late.
That’s why I started Onside HQ.
What is Onside HQ?
Onside HQ is a sport-informed advisory and consulting service. A place where athletes, coaches, support staff, and leaders can go for honest advice, confidential guidance, and access to trusted professionals who understand sport from the inside.
Whether you need clarity on a contract, are facing a complex situation, or just need to ask, “Is this normal?”, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
This isn’t about working against the system. It’s about strengthening it. Our goal is to give people the tools, insight, and real-world advice they need. Early, clearly, and without judgement.
We work in partnership with sporting organisations, institutes, government agencies, and athlete leadership bodies. We fully support the Win Well strategy, because we believe performance and well-being should go hand in hand. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
What We Do
At Onside HQ, we offer:
Strategic advice for organisations dealing with integrity, culture, or governance challenges
Education and facilitation that cuts through confusion and builds clarity
Independent observers and post-event reviews to increase transparency and trust
A safe, confidential space for individuals to ask questions, seek early advice, and make informed decisions
We’re athlete-informed. Legally trained. Systems-minded.
And we know exactly what it feels like when the structures around you don’t support you the way they should.
Why It Matters
Because the pressure to perform is real but so is the need to protect yourself. Because the sport system isn’t always designed for early, safe, or confidential intervention. Because good decisions start with good advice. And because having the right people in your corner changes everything.
From abuse scandals to athlete burnout, governance failures to mental health breakdowns, every corner of the system is being asked to do better.
But where can people go to ask a question, raise a concern, or seek support before it becomes a crisis?
That’s where we come in.
Because integrity isn’t just about avoiding scandal. It’s about building environments where people feel safe, respected, and equipped to thrive.
We’re not offering shortcuts. We’re offering real support. The kind that helps you work smarter, safer, and stronger.
Let’s do this differently. If you want to be part of building a better, safer, smarter version of sport— We’re here.
→ Follow along @OnsideHQ
→ Or reach out, confidentially. We’ve got your back.
Thanks for being part of this next chapter.
Bronwen Knox OLY
Founder, Onside HQ
Four-time Olympian | Legal Practitioner | Integrity Advisor