A strategic initiative is underway in Manchester to enhance accessibility in community sports.
- Project Fair Play targets over 550,000 young people through sports engagement.
- In partnership with Sported, SUDU introduces grants to support running-based community groups.
- The initiative addresses societal issues including health, crime, and inclusivity.
- Research funded by the project will explore running’s social impact versus other sports.
Project Fair Play, spearheaded by Manchester-based sportswear brand SUDU, aims to revolutionise community sports by making running more accessible and inclusive for over 550,000 young people across Greater Manchester and beyond. This ambitious initiative is a collaboration with Sported, a charity providing extensive resources and support to the UK’s largest network of community groups. Within Sported’s expansive support network, approximately 3,000 clubs benefit from its initiatives, yet only 50 are focused on running. This project not only seeks to increase the number of running-focused clubs but to transform the accessibility of running as a sport.
Through the collaboration, SUDU and Sported will fund a Deep Impact Grant to assist an existing grassroots club in Manchester, with plans to onboard additional running groups as Sported members. The partnership’s vision is articulated by Vinny Clark, CEO of Levy Merchandising, who emphasised the project’s commitment to community building, mental health, and creating a safe nurturing space for young people. Clark stated, “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.” The project’s first phase includes offering £1,000 grants to running groups in the Northwest that address at least three key societal issues identified by Sported: accessibility, community cohesion, health and wellbeing, sports participation inequality, and the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour.
In its inaugural year, Project Fair Play is expected to empower approximately 1,000 young individuals to actively engage in running. These grants are versatile, supporting a range of needs such as venue hire, activity costs, coaching, volunteer expenses, equipment, marketing, training, qualifications, and insurance costs. This financial support stands to significantly impact the operational capabilities of participating groups, facilitating broader participation and more structured development opportunities.
Mark Woods, Sported’s head of marketing, highlighted the mutual goals of the partnership, noting SUDU’s alignment with Fair Play as a fundamental value. Woods affirmed, “We share the same goals – they’re all about inclusivity, diversity and giving everyone a fair chance in life.” This partnership not only provides financial resources but also advocates for inclusivity and fair access to sports facilities and programmes.
Complementing the initiatives, SUDU will also underwrite research to investigate the disparities in how running and other sports foster social impact. The insights gained from this research will inform a strategic plan to close these gaps, enhancing accessibility and impact for all running groups across the region. This research initiative underscores a commitment to evidence-based strategies and informed policy-making to ensure the programme’s success.
Project Fair Play stands to significantly reshape access to sports, promoting inclusivity and wellbeing among Manchester’s youth.
