We resource the UK’s largest network of community groups, supporting around a million young people each year to overcome barriers to reach their full potential.
The groups which Sported supports are deeply rooted within their communities and led by highly committed, passionate local people who often give up their time voluntarily to run initiatives that help young people to succeed.
However, grassroots groups are often under-funded and under-resourced.
As a charity, our role is to champion and empower the local heroes running these groups by providing much-needed professional expertise, resources and operational support, free of charge, to help their group survive and thrive.
“We couldn’t have managed without Sported, to be honest. They have been there every step of the way.”
Our Vision
We want every young person to have the same opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Our purpose
Helping community groups survive, to help young people thrive.
Our current Strategic Plan sets out
Sported's ambition to strengthen local
workforces and build the
resilience of community sports groups.
Through the grassroots groups we support across the UK, Sported is playing a fundamental role in improving wellbeing, tackling inequalities and connecting
communities.
Our network
Our groups are deeply rooted in towns, villages and cities across the UK. They are the experts at reaching and engaging young people through sport and physical activity, offering local solutions to local problems. We have over ten years’ experience of supporting these community groups to become stronger and more sustainable, as well as transforming the lives of those who come through their doors.
The power of grassroots sport and physical activity
Few mediums have the power to engage, inspire and bring together young people as sport. The clubs and organisations receiving support from Sported all use sport and physical activity to positively impact on one or more of the following social outcomes:
Education and employability
Health and well-being
Crime and anti-social behaviour
Community cohesion
Inequality in sports participation
The power of community groups
Community groups provide a highly effective and efficient way of channelling targeted support to young people and communities in the greatest need of help and facing the biggest hardships because:
- They have an established and trusted channel to reach those most in need
- Group leaders, staff and volunteers are role models, and have a detailed understanding of the young people they serve
- They are here for the long-term. Behavioural change in young people takes time, change that can only be achieved through consistent, regular and long-term engagement
Our people
Sported’s experienced staff team is based all over the UK. We are supported by over 300 volunteers who all with a range of professional experience and skills, including business planning, financial management, marketing and fundraising.
Our volunteers are dynamic and talented individuals with an enthusiasm and passion for mentoring groups in our network. They work directly with our members to transfer their skills and equip them for long-term success.
“The most rewarding part of the role is seeing the group develop to such an extent that you can walk away – to me that’s very important.”
– Sported volunteer consultant