Streetgames Launches Nationwide Programme
A nationwide programme to engage 14-25 year olds from disadvantaged areas in sport was launched this week with national sports charity, StreetGames, set to establish 307 new clubs over the next year – tasked with taking sport to the doorstep of disadvantaged people in hundreds of deprived communities.
The programme is supported by Sport England to get people developing a sporting habit for life, with £3.38 million of National Lottery funding committed for the development of 307 Doorstep Sport Clubs by summer 2014.
The expansion follows the successful pilot testing of 40 Doorstep Sport Clubs in 2012/13 across England.
The programme is targeted at the 1.6 million young people who live in disadvantaged areas of England. Research shows that young people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods miss out on sport.
Doorstep Sport Clubs are a fun, exciting and vibrant place where young people play sports, at a low cost, right on their doorstep. They are all based around the doorstep sport approach of ‘right time, right place, right price and in the right style’ and include traditional or adapted versions of games, such as Cardio Tennis, Instant ping pong, Rush Hockey and Street Dance.
Doorstep Sport Clubs will be hosted by a range of organisations, with support from StreetGames. During the pilot period, DSCs were led by local authorities, leisure trusts, third sector organisations, local sports clubs and a Rugby League Foundation Club.
Jane Ashworth OBE, CEO of StreetGames, said: ‘Doorstep Sport Clubs change the sporting and social landscape in disadvantaged areas. This is not just about sport; it’s also about improving young peoples’ lives as they grow and develop as members of healthier, safer, stronger communities. Over the last seven years we and our local network of partners have already brought sport close to the home in more than 200 disadvantaged UK communities at the right time, for the right price and in the right style. Now our ambition is to have a positive impact on even more young peoples’ lives and we’re delighted Sport England have backed the expansion of our work.’
Phil Smith , Sport England director of sport, added: ‘Whilst the number of young people playing sport is increasing, young people growing up in disadvantaged areas remain less likely to be in a club, be coached, compete or volunteer than those from better off areas. We are committed to addressing that imbalance through our support of StreetGames and Doorstep Sport Clubs.’
Hugh Robertson, minister for sport, department of culture, media and sport, added: ‘StreetGames is using the power of sport to help improve communities across the country and change lives for the better. This latest investment will establish hundreds of local sports clubs aimed at young people in disadvantaged areas, encouraging greater participation in sport and helping social cohesion.’
The launch of the StreetGames Doorstep Sports Club programme took place at Stratford Old Town Hall, Stratford, London and was supported by London 2012 Olympic gold medal boxer, Luke Campbell.
