Did you know 85% of charitable income in England and Wales goes to just 4% of registered charities?
These are usually the biggest, national charities. Smaller charities, often overlooked by national media, account for 97% of charity closures in the last 10 years*. By working with a growing cohort of students across multiple Universities as part of their academic studies, ConnectSport CIC is working to redress this power imbalance. Since 2021, we have provided practice experience to develop knowledge and skills around marketing and communications in sport and sustainable development for 23 students from five universities, each of whom has provided free content and communications support to the sport for development sector. Our aim is to support the development of at least 100 more students, and raise awareness for at least 250 more charities and locally-trusted organisations, before 2027. To find out more, contact hello@connectsport.co.uk
Our vision is for a world where sport for development’s full potential is being maximised, and not overlooked by for-profit media.
According to the UN, sport is an "important enabler of sustainable development". But what does this mean at grassroots level? Well, every day across the UK, there are thousands of locally-trusted organisations using sport and physical activity to intentionally generate positive social and environmental outcomes within their community, from reducing crime and unemployment, sedentary or carbon-rich lifestyles to increasing employability, educational attainment, health and wellbeing, and community cohesion. Most of these organisations get little or no media exposure due to their limited resources, which restricts their ability to increase awareness and investment in their amazing services to the local community, individuals in need, and ultimately to globally-recognised sustainable development goals.
ConnectSport CIC works with UK universities to connect these locally-trusted organisations with students who can help to tell their stories as part of their training across numerous degree courses including journalism, marketing and business management. We also upskill undergraduates on ESG (environmental, social, governance) approaches so they can access a wider range of employment opportunities in the future.
We have three simple aims:
- Championing the work of up-and-coming reporters and content creators from diverse backgrounds.
- Achieving more coverage and greater awareness for locally-trusted organisations.
- Building a body of evidence to encourage and convince investors in the community sport sector.
Hear from our partners and beneficiaries...
THE STUDENTS...
“My experience working with ConnectSport opened me up to the many ways in which organisations, charities and governing bodies across the UK use sport and physical activity for positive change. It felt purposeful being able to give these stories a platform, and I also had the opportunity to highlight stories within my own community which I felt were impactful. I really enjoyed the process of developing stories and how it helped improve my confidence and skills around writing.”
– Nia Harris, Sport Psychology BSc, Loughborough University
THE LOCALLY-TRUSTED ORGANISATIONS...
“ConnectSport has been our megaphone, amplifying our voice. Ever since working with ConnectSport I have seen our publicity grow as more people have reached out and are engaging with us. ConnectSport has helped build our network and now we're flourishing thanks to them. They care about small sports groups like us who are trying our utmost to make a difference with regards to diversity and representation and they strive to highlight, celebrate and empower our achievements.”
– Namrah Shahid, founder of Hijabi Runners, Leeds
THE UNIVERSITIES...
"ConnectSport offers a perfect platform for my students to enhance their journalism. It features thousands of community sport organisations, each with a unique story to tell. By showcasing these narratives, our sports journalism students are reminding us about the power community sport has to change lives.”
– Dr Daragh Minogue, Associate Professor, Programme Leader MA Sports Journalism at St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Our partners
ConnectSport is a Community Interest Company. All profits received are reinvested in training more ethically-responsible journalists and content creators, and raising awareness for more locally-trusted organisations.
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