Sport should be fun enjoyable accessible inclusive diverse
Our mission is simple: to help people realise the power of sport to build a better, fairer and fitter society. We envision a world where everyone is free to pursue their passion and enjoy sport.
About half of all people do not currently participate in sport, with a whole third not being physically active. This is a growing crisis which contributes to issues like obesity and health inequality. It’s also true marginalised groups l are the ones who suffer most. They are too often ignored. We are here for everyone, we are Here For Sport.
But what does Here For Sport do?
Founded in 2019, Here For Sport is breaking down barriers to participation in sport.
We make sport more inclusive by making it more accessible to everyone. Instead of focusing on educating people about sports benefits, we assume people know that already. What stops them enjoying sport and reaping the benefits are the numerous barriers in the way.
Our focus is on understanding the barriers to participation preventing people from enjoying sport.
The work of Here For Sport is split into research, advocacy and outreach. All three pillars are essential to help us break down barriers to participation and create long-term sustainable change.
Sport is a force for change, we are Here for Sport.
Research is an important part of Here For Sports work, helping to improve our understanding of the barriers faced by under-represented groups such as people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, women and disabled people.
Through a unique framework, we apply a collaborative and inter-disciplinary methodologies to generate actionable insights.
Our approach is based on insights from behavioural psychology and the work of Ben Fogg – particularly the information-action fallacy. Combined with knowledge from sociology and economics we provide a new perspective to old problems.
Advocacy is an important part of any change. We often take progress for granted, but any change cannot be achieved without sustained campaigning and advocacy.
Here For Sport utilises its research to help inform policymakers, lobbying for change at the highest levels. In the past we have worked with think tanks, national governing bodies, funding agencies and even the UK Government.
We continue to influence the sporting industry as a member of the “Sports For Development Coalition” and “Sport & Recreation Alliance”. Through our platform we spotlight lived experiences and raise the profile of key issues.
Grassroots outreach is what motivates and drives us. Our outreach projects allow us to demonstrate new and improved ways of delivering sport, showing tangible results.
Through these projects we work directly with under-represented groups and communities around the UK, building deep collaborative relationships which only strengthen Here For Sport and the entire sporting world.
The first ever Here For Sport outreach project is based in Coventry. Developed with London Youth Rowing, it aims to deliver rowing to a whole new demographics.