Nicola Walker to step down as Sported chief executive
The chief executive officer of Sported, Nicola Walker, has confirmed that she will step down in the spring of 2023 after four years in the role.
Having overseen the growth of the UK’s leading community sports charity in providing support to over half-a-million young people annually, she is to pursue a range of personal projects. The search is now beginning for her replacement.
Since arriving in April 2019, Nicola has expanded Sported’s offering in tandem with government agencies, corporate partners and other funders, with resources and free assistance provided each year to almost 3,000 grassroots groups and organisations who use sport and physical activity to improve the lives of young people.
“It has been an incredibly rewarding four years at Sported and I am very proud of what we have achieved as a charity. My thanks to the partners and people who have supported us through often challenging times for community sport,” Nicola said.
“An absolute highlight has been meeting the amazing groups we support. These organisations and clubs make such a difference at a local level. They quite literally change the lives of young people.
“Community sports groups deserve more support for the game-changing contribution they make, especially when cost of living pressures are hitting hard. And although I am stepping down, I leave a strong leadership team in place and will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of the UK-wide Sported team and volunteers.’’
Simon Cummins, Sported’s chair of Trustees, said: “We want to thank Nicola immensely for her dedication to Sported’s cause during her four years at the charity.
“She has successfully made Sported more sustainable while also driving initiatives that target under-served communities and shine a light on the extraordinary impact grassroots groups can have on young people and those around them.
“We will now start a search for a new chief executive who can build on her work.”