“For grassroots sport to move with the times
and remain relevant to young people, new ways of working are
needed. That’s why StreetGames is so important.”
Richard Lewis
Sport England Chair
Sport England has created a new official
partnership with StreetGames to give national governing bodies,
local councils and other sports providers new ways to engage with
young people in disadvantaged communities.
We’ve made a two-year investment of £680,000
in StreetGames. This will enable them to build on their track
record of delivering ‘doorstep sport’ - tailored
neighbourhood-based sporting initiatives which are delivered at a
time, location and in a style that people want.
Thanks to StreetGames becoming one of our
national partners, more sporting organisations will benefit from
the charity’s expertise in making sport accessible to young people,
regardless of their social circumstances – helping to deliver a
lasting Olympic participation legacy.
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis,
said:
“For grassroots sport to move with the times
and remain relevant to young people, new ways of working are
needed. That’s why StreetGames is so important. By bringing sport
to the doorstep, StreetGames opens up new routes for national
governing bodies and other sports providers to make lasting
connections with young people and unleash their sporting
potential.”
The partnership will also improve links
between existing StreetGames projects and mainstream club
participation - helping youngsters to cement their sporting habit
and unearthing and nurturing new talent.
StreetGames has committed to working with at
least six NGBs in the first year of the partnership, rising to 14
in year two. The support from StreetGames includes:
- Connecting ‘doorstep sport’ to mainstream clubs, leagues and
talent development structures
- Help in recruiting and deploying volunteers within
disadvantaged areas
- Advice on the design and delivery of neighbourhood
interventions
- Testing innovative ways to bring sport to disadvantaged
communities.
Jane Ashworth, Chief Executive of StreetGames,
said:
“Sport England is taking the lead in making
sport available to anyone and everyone. We are delighted to play
our part in this and in ensuring that sport for all is a reality
for young people regardless of who they are or where they
live.”
To celebrate the deal, World Championship
medal-winner Tyrone Edgar and the Secretary of State for Culture,
Media and Sport, Ben Bradshaw MP yesterday visited Active Planet, a
StreetGames project in west London.
Ben Bradshaw said:
“StreetGames has brought new sporting
opportunities to tens of thousands of young people in the last two
years in some of Britain's most deprived communities. It is part of
the Government's record investment in sport and physical activity
and is helping us achieve the commitments we made alongside our
successful Olympic bid to get two million people doing more sport
or physical activity by 2012.”
To find out more about StreetGames and how
they are working with NGBs, visit their website