Manchester sportswear brand, SUDU and charity, Sported have launched a joint initiative called Project Fair Play.
Sported uses sport and physical activity to help young people overcome barriers to reach their potential.
But of the 3,000 clubs Sported currently supports, only 50 focus on running so the new project aims to transform community sport by making running accessible and inclusive for young people across Greater Manchester.
Through the partnership, SUDU will work with Sported to fund one Deep Impact Grant to support one of Sorted’s exisiting Manchester grassroots clubs, and alongside this, seek out more running groups to support.
Vinny Clark, CEO of Levy Merchandising (which SUDU sits within) said: “Our goal is not only to help build communities, but to champion mental health and wellbeing and to create a safe space for young people. We hope we can empower dreams to take flight by providing much needed tools, equipment, insights and more.
“If you’re part of a community group with running at its heart, we want to hear from you! As part of phase one of the project we will be providing a number of £1,000 grants to running groups in the North West actively addressing three out of five of the below societal issues outlined by Sported.”
- Making running accessible to everyone
- Fostering community cohesion
- Endorsing health and wellbeing
- Addressing inequality in sports participation
- Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
In year one, it is hoped the project will enable at least 1,000 young people to participate in running with grants that can be used to pay for the likes of venue hire, participant/activity costs, coaching costs, volunteer expenses or equipment.
Mark Woods, head of marketing at Sported, said: “Opening the doors to more young people to take up running is one way to address inequalities in participation as well as improving physical and mental wellbeing. When the SUDU team first approached us to discuss what they’d like to achieve, it was clear they’d be a well-suited partner with Fair Play a core value that’s been ingrained in SUDU from day one as a Levy brand.
“We share the same goals – they’re all about inclusivity, diversity and giving everyone a fair chance in life. Through this programme, we can make a real difference and we’re excited about what we can achieve working together.”
Complimentary to the project’s grant programme rollout and to ensure its effectiveness, SUDU will also work with Sported to commission and fund research investigating the disparity between running and other sports in how it generates a positive social impact.
The funding allocated to this research will enable the development of a comprehensive plan to address these gaps and enhance accessibility for all running groups across North West England and beyond.
