Sported is partnering with Vodafone on sports.connected to offer free connectivity, digital skills training and a grant giving scheme to support the vital work undertaken by community groups in engaging young people, tackling inequality and boosting health and wellbeing through sport.
Tackling digital inclusion, Vodafone has pledged to help over 200 of Sported’s community groups provide opportunities to over 12,000 young people.
Vodafone will offer access to connectivity in the form of SIM cards and devices and will be co-creating a bespoke digital business skills platform through its V-hub, that will feature webinars, toolkits and training to help clubs raise more funding and engage more young people in sport. The training will be created with the needs of each club taken into consideration.
In addition, clubs can access grants to help purchase kit and put on more sports and activities for those within their community.
sports.connected is part of the leading technology communication company’s everyone.connected campaign, which is committed to helping 4 million people cross the digital divide before the end of 2025, giving them the connectivity and skills they need to stay connected and participate fully in an increasingly digital society.
Sported’s chief executive officer Sarah Kaye said: “Community sports groups are an absolute lifeline for so many people and even more so for those in our deprived and marginalised communities. Sadly, despite the incredible work of those who volunteer and run them, many groups are under-resourced and underfunded and that’s why partnerships, like this one with Vodafone, are so key to helping these groups succeed.
“Digital exclusion is a very real issue for many of those in the groups we work with, so giving them access to connectivity and to skills training is going to be a game-changer. It will help boost the vital work the clubs do in supporting their local communities and in using sport and physical activity to connect with and positively influence young people.”
Sarah Kaye – Sported CEO