Nike And Ukactive Launch Open Doors Campaign

A new partnership between ukactive and Nike will aim to engage vulnerable young people in sport and physical activity over the summer holidays by unlocking school facilities across four major cities.

The Open Doors programme – which was piloted in London in 2020 – will expand to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool as well this July, with the support of the sportswear brand.

In July, 10 schools will open across the four cities, with ukactive and Nike aiming to scale the programme to more than 100 schools across England by Summer 2023. The expansion also means school sites will remain open during the holidays to support young people by tackling inactivity, community disengagement, and holiday hunger.

The programme forms part of ukactive’s Schools As Community Hubs policy – a model which focuses on unlocking school playing fields, halls and courts, which the body says makes up 39% of community sport facilities in England but are usually closed or inaccessible during school holidays. 

The initiative is being championed by Nike athlete John McAvoy, and ukactive says it intends for the programme to help change existing policies for out-of-school provision and usage.

The Schools as Community Hubs model is backed by charities, sport providers and elite athletes, including Paralympic champion and ukactive Chair Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson; and former England Rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio, along with his charity, RugbyWorks.

Research by ukactive’s Research Institute shows that children and young people suffer a loss in cardiorespiratory fitness levels of up to 74% over the summer holidays. The body also says those from lower socio-economic groups suffer a drop in fitness around 18 times faster than their more affluent peers. 

“We are excited to take the Open Doors programme into communities in Liverpool and Manchester this summer, following its success in London and Birmingham,” said Huw Edwards, CEO, ukactive.

“We believe every child and young person, no matter their background, should have fair access to positive activity, food and safe spaces to go to during the school holidays. Supporting the most vulnerable young people in our communities has never been more important, particularly considering the challenges faced during the pandemic. 

“ukactive is committed to ensuring that the Government empowers local bodies, schools, partners and our sector to grow this model because Open Doors represents the type of innovative and proactive work that is now essential to support our young people with the growing wellbeing issues we see among them today.”

Dan Burrows, Nike’s Senior Director of Social & Community Impact, EMEA, said: “All kids deserve the opportunity to access and benefit from play and sport. Our partnership with ukactive underscores Nike’s Made to Play commitment to get kids active by providing them with more inclusive environments that, through play, enable them to reach their full potential. 

“By removing the barriers that prevent kids from moving – especially those from marginalized communities – we’re creating an active generation and a more equitable future.”