Sport England is investing in a group of charities and national
governing bodies who use the power of sport to bring about positive social
change.
The National Lottery investment in the Sport for Development Coalition
(SFDC) comes alongside further financial backing from Comic Relief and Laureus
Sport for Good.
The SFDC is a ‘movement’ of charities, national governing bodies and
networks who use sport as a tool in tackling issues such as youth violence,
poor mental health and a lack of community cohesion.
This funding will allow the SFDC to collect evidence of sport resulting in
positive social change, enabling them, and their partners, to show the value of
investing in physical activity at a national level – particularly in other
areas such as health, criminal justice and education.
Sport England chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, believes the work of the
SFDC can assist us in helping the sport and exercise sector to recover from the
impact of coronavirus (Covid-19).
“It's had a profound impact on people's relationship with sport and
activity, and on the sport sector as a whole,” he said.
“People and organisations are doing their best to adapt and it's never been
more evident just how much benefit being active can bring to people's physical
and mental health.
“We’ll continue to make the case for investing in sport and physical
activity at a national level to help solve local solutions – and that's why
we're pleased to be supporting the SFDC, alongside our partners Comic
Relief and Laureus.
“This investment will allow the SFDC to grow its reach to a wider network of
partners, creating a collective voice, new collaborations, and insight-driven
development work – and ultimately helping us all to improve the lives of those
who most need our support.”
The goal of the SFDC – which is currently hosted by the Sport and Recreation
Alliance as it develops its governance and structure, with the goal of being
independent by June 2022 – is to unlock significant additional investment and
resources for community sports organisations.
More than 70 have already signed the SFDC’s Charter – including
StreetGames, Sported, Women in Sport and the Activity Alliance - with the
ambition being to grow that figure to more than 400 within four years.
And with the addition of an executive director – a position that will be
advertised for shortly and is hoped to be filled in the next three months –
their chair, Andy Reed, is excited by the movement’s potential.
“We are extremely grateful to our funding partners for this new investment,”
he said.
“The SFDC’s aim now will be to significantly grow the network and the
momentum of this movement, and demonstrate on a national scale how the power of
sport can improve people’s lives and build stronger communities.”
On Monday, 1 June, Tim will join a live Twitter takeover with the SFDC.
To participate, simply follow the hashtag #SportForDevelopmentCoalition from
8-9pm.
