Sported Foundation Annual Report 2024

Sported Foundation is a UK-wide charity that strengthens grassroots community sports organisations to help young people from under-served communities benefit from sport. In 2023-24, Sported supported a membership network of 2,850 groups reaching over 500,000 young people, with 1,387 members accessing a service or benefit and 543 receiving free 1:1 consultancy. £1.6 million in grants was distributed, including through the Barclays Community Football Fund (which exceeded its three-year reach target by 174%), Flutter Cash4Clubs, and Sport England. 96% of young people at member groups come from historically under-served communities. Sported also delivered EDI-focused programmes including a Participatory Grant Model for Black-led organisations and disability inclusion projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Report snapshot
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📋About

Capacity building and 1:1 consultancy for community sports groups; grant distribution (Barclays Community Football Fund, Flutter Cash4Clubs, Sport England Together Fund); Participatory Grant Model for Black-led organisations; Active Partnership support; equality, diversity and inclusion projects; Connected Communities model; volunteer consultancy programme; webinars and networking events; research into participation barriers Custom geography from upload: United Kingdom

📊Key Metrics

2,850 community sports organisations in membership network, collectively reaching over 500,000 young people Key Metric 1
£1.6 million in grants distributed directly to community groups across the UK Key Metric 2
96% of young people at Sported member groups are from historically under-served communities Key Metric 3

Key Outcomes

  • 82% of Sported member groups said the charity's support made a positive difference to their organisation, with 86% of leaders on a project or 1:1 consultancy reporting increased skills and knowledge in running their group
  • 94% of member groups maintained or increased the number of young people attending their provision, despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures and a national decline in volunteering — with only 11% of groups losing volunteers compared to wider sector trends
  • The Barclays Community Football Fund exceeded its three-year participant target by reaching 431,163 people against a KPI of 157,000, with 85% of funding supporting female groups and 96% of grantees successfully engaging new participants from under-represented communities

📍Geography

UK-Wide

2026 Enhanced

Becoming a Borough of Sport: Impact Report 2025

67.6% of Merton adults (117,000 people) now active — above London and England averages, representing 6,800 more active adults than previous years
Key Metric 1
£2.25 million in external funding secured since launch, representing a 4:1 multiplier on council investment
Key Metric 2
20,000+ residents reached across three Big Sports Day events; 50,000+ visits to Borough of Sport Activity Finder
Key Metric 3
48.6% of Merton children achieve 60+ minutes of daily activity — above both London and national averages — with the borough achieving the highest Active Lives survey response rate in London (37 schools, 2,500+ pupils), enabling a reliable baseline for tracking progress
2025 Enhanced

Impact Report 2024/25

20,204 total engagements; 1,621 hours of free sporting activity; 5,457 free meals provided; 468 young people engaged through Youth Hub with 1,222 hours of free youth provision
Key Metric 1
100% of Cancer Prehab participants reported improved resilience and ability to cope with treatment; 100% of Strong Start participants achieved weight reduction targets and adopted sustainable exercise routines; 90% of Cancer Prehab participants reported better mental wellbeing
Key Metric 2
Named EFL League Two Community Club Organisation of the Year 2025; won Community & Charity Organisation of the Year at Wyre Business Awards 2024; Sports College CEFA side crowned CEFA North West Champions at Wembley 2025; Veterans Community Garden awarded Level 4 Thriving certificate at North West in Bloom
Key Metric 3
80% of Football4All participants reported stronger friendships and reduced loneliness; 61% of Champions referrals have better understanding of anti-social behaviour; 90% of Early Years participants improved social interaction; 92% of teachers reported greater confidence through supported PE delivery
2025

Sport Wales Annual Report 2024-2025

8,228 participants in 60+ Active Leisure Scheme
Key Metric 1
725 organisations received £4,191,065 in Be Active Wales community grants
Key Metric 2
166 capital awards totalling £8,668,247 invested in facilities across Wales
Key Metric 3
Sport's direct GVA contribution to the Welsh economy reached £1.9 billion (£2.9 billion including indirect impact), up from £1.195 billion in previous estimates — demonstrating significant sector growth