Six projects have been shortlisted for the 2024 SJA Sport for Change Award, sponsored by Altair Ltd.
Each year the Sports Journalists’ Association invites nominations for the prestigious award, which was created in partnership with ConnectSport CIC in 2018, as part of its British Sports Awards.
The winners of the wider awards were announced on Wednesday 20th November live on Sky Sports, and now six community-based organisations will be invited to join them at a special Parliamentary reception in London on Monday 9th December, when the Sport for Change winners will be unveiled in front of a high-profile audience of athletes, broadcasters, policy-makers and politicians.
IMPORTANT
Sponsored by Altair, the specialist consultancy which supports organisations with a social purpose, the award seeks to highlight the amazing work of charities and grassroots organisations using sport and/or physical activity to generate positive 'ESG' (environmental, social, governance) outcomes across the UK. As part of the award, Altair will provide free business development and fundraising support.
Ashley Broadley, Chair of the Sports Journalists' Association, said: “It is really important that these awards continue to recognise the brilliant work that is being done by organisations and individuals using sport to create a positive impact.”
A panel of judges, comprising national journalists and sport for development experts, considered criteria including impact and reach, scale and difficulty of the issue being tackled, plus innovation and collaboration, when compiling the shortlist. Previous winners of the award have included The Wave Project, Salaam Peace, Panathlon, Marcus Rashford and Ebony Rainford-Brent.
The six shortlisted organisations for the SJA Sport for Change 2024 award are:
Fight for Peace: The charity (pictured below) uses boxing and martial arts, combined with personal development, to unlock the potential of young people in communities affected by crime and violence. It brings together 127 partners in 17 countries (including 52 in the UK), exchanging skills and support to enhance their impact. Its first Academy, launched in Rio’s favelas in 2000, supported children in armed drug gangs, and was followed by the London Academy in 2007 in response to knife violence in Newham. It now trains organisations globally in its sustainable impact model, offering expertise free of charge. Read more.
Let's Get Active Community Enterprise CIC: Originally developed through a Dragon’s Den-style pitch funded by the Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, Let’s Get Active was designed to address urgent health issues, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mental health challenges. It provides a free, 12-week course that supports lifestyle changes through activities such as Zumba, yoga, fat burn sessions, football, badminton, circuit training, free gym access, one-to-one personal trainer support and workshops on healthy eating and cooking. On average the programme has worked with 117 men and women each year since 2014, and focuses on engaging the South Asian community which faces a disproportionate health risk. Read more.
Clean Water Sports Alliance: Earlier this year seven water-based sports bodies British Rowing, British Triathlon, GB Outrigger, Paddle UK, Royal Yachting Association, Swim England and The Angling Trust, came together to create the Clean Water Sports Alliance (pictured below) calling for clean open water across the UK. Surfing England, British Kitesport, British Sub-Aqua Club and British Dragon Boat Racing joined in September. The Alliance represents 450,000 members, athletes and millions of participants and water users who are impacted each and every day by poor water quality and pollution. The Clean Water Sports Alliance is asking for healthy and nature-rich blue spaces for everyone to enjoy. Read more.
Eat Sleep Ride CIC:Located in East Berwickshire, Eat Sleep Ride CIC operates as a social enterprise driven by the mission to empower young people and amplify the voices of those from low-income and rural communities. Situated on the Scottish coast, its solar-powered facility is home to 17 horses that play a vital role in its leadership, therapeutic and sport-based programmes, including youth-focused activities like horse riding and polocrosse. At the core of its work is youth empowerment. Read more.
Muslimah Sports Association: The charity (pictured below) provides Muslim women with opportunities to engage in sports and physical activities in a culturally sensitive environment. Founded in 2014, MSA aims to empower women by creating a safe and inclusive space where they can participate in sports without compromising their cultural or religious values. The organisation offers a range of sports, including football, Karate, badminton, and basketball, as well as fitness classes and mental health workshops. Read more.
West Hull Community Hub: One of the first Rugby Football League community wellbeing hubs, it serves as a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for Hull’s sixth most deprived ward. Confronting issues such as food poverty, mental health struggles, social isolation, and digital exclusion, the hub tackles complex challenges with both scale and dedication. The Hub exemplifies the RFL’s commitment to community well-being, innovation and sustainable impact. Read more.
This award is supported by Altair Ltd and ConnectSport CIC.
As part of the award, Altair is providing a free business development and fundraising webinar for all nominated organisations, and bespoke support for shortlisted organisations. To find out more about how Altair could support your charity or organisation, visit altairltd.co.uk or email emma.atkins@altairltd.co.uk
ConnectSport is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which partners with UK Universities to raise awareness and increase investment for local charities and sport for development organisations, which are collectively contributing to globally-recognised Sustainable Development Goals and need more support.
