Barclays Extends Beyond Sport Partnership
Barclays, which has been at the heart of sport through its sponsorship and community engagement programmes, has announced a three-year extension to its Global Partnership with Beyond Sport, the preeminent global organisation in the field of sport for social change.
Since 2004, Barclays has supported disadvantaged communities by investing in sports sites and social change programmes. Through Barclays Spaces for Sports, this commitment has strengthened over the years, and Barclays has invested over £40 million in the UK and internationally. The programmes use the positive values of sport to support some of the most marginalised young people around the world gain the confidence and skills they need to take a positive step forward and help improve their chances in life.
Barclays developed 200 sports facilities in disadvantaged communities in the UK which are used by 53,000 every week. Barclays has also launched multiple programmes with partners in China, Hong Kong, India, South Africa, the USA, the UK, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over 60,000 young people have benefited from these Spaces for Sports programmes
David Wheldon, managing director of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship, Barclays, said: ‘Barclays is committed to playing a broader role in the communities in which we live and work. Our objectives include empowering the next generation with the skills they need to achieve economic independence and security.’
‘To create real sustained success in the community you require the best partners, and that is exactly what we have had with Beyond Sport since 2009. They have the energy and expertise in an increasingly complex world to drive positive social change using sport.’
Nick Keller, founder of Beyond Sport, added: ‘Barclays Spaces for Sports has been a standout example of the success that can be achieved through corporate investment in sport for almost a decade.’
‘There could be no stronger endorsement of this sector than the expansion of this partnership and Barclays’ ongoing focus on sport as a tool for social change. Its celebration of the positive impact of football on fans is reflected in a belief of the positive impact on communities and our society as a whole – something we will be exploring and developing together throughout this partnership.’
The cooperation between Barclays and Beyond Sport has centred around the Beyond Sport Summit and Awards – previously held in Chicago, Cape Town and London, and set to be staged in Philadelphia from September 8th to 11th 2013.
The partnership also includes Beyond Soccer, staged on the opening day of the Beyond Sport Summit 2013 and focused entirely on exploring the role the world’s most popular sport can play in social change. Beyond Soccer is backed by organisations including the Premier League and Major League Soccer and powered by leading global network streetfootballworld.
