Rugby legend Rory Best joins as newest Sported ambassador

By Sported |  2nd November 2021

We are excited to welcome Rory Best, former captain of the Ireland national Rugby Union team, as our newest Sported ambassador.

 

Rory is a strong advocate for the important role sports groups plays in communities, as well as an inspirational role model for young people in his native Northern Ireland and across the UK, making him the perfect choice to take on this role. He is also very vocal about his support for our work, especially supporting both group leaders and young people with the increase in mental health issues.

Rory joins Tottenham Hotspur defender, Eric Dier, who became a Sported ambassador at the end of last year.

I am passionate about the fantastic work that Sported does to support the enormous number of grassroots sports groups in their network right across the United Kingdom. I am particularly passionate about Sported’s work in mental health and disability inclusion. 

We have known for a long time the important role sport plays in young people’s lives- keeping them fit, busy, connected and happy. 

With the pandemic, we have seen young people experience life without the activity, community and support that grassroots sports groups provide, and that has really underlined the significance of the role these groups play both in the life of young people but also in communities as a whole.”

Rory Best with two young adults

Rory Best visiting NICCA in Northern Ireland (December 2020)

“I am thrilled to play my part in supporting Sported in keeping the groups afloat, so that they can continue providing the amazing safe spaces for young people of all walks of life to keep active.”

Rory Best

“We are over-the-moon to have Rory join the Sported family. He is a great advocate for the power of community sport in helping to address and change social issues. He has already been to visit several of the wonderful groups in our network – including TAMHI which is a mental health charity based in South Belfast, Northern Ireland that works with sports clubs and groups. He is an inspirational sportsman in his own right and we are excited to see how he can help support us on our mission to ensure that every young person has the same opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Nicola Walker

Chief EXECUTIVE Officer

Catch up on more Sported news