Another Record-Breaking Year for Beyond Sport!
December 16, 2022
Beyond Sport celebrated a year of program growth, with new partners and increased investment into the sport for social change sector. We were thrilled to partner with 50 different non-profit organizations working in 12 countries to provide $1.8 million+ in grant funding towards their life-changing work. This represents our greatest investment in a single year!
Alongside funding, we also continued our mission to provide capacity-building tools, public resources and collaborative platforms for knowledge sharing to the sport for social change sector and beyond including: coach training on youth inclusivity as part of the Rexona Breaking Limits Program; strategic workshops for the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone initiative; a newly refurbished sports space supported by ESPN as part of the Return to Play Fund; the launch of the Sport Together Fund; and our Beyond the Games and Beyond Sport United events. In 2022, we took collaboration to new heights.
As the year draws to a close, here are some of the highlights of our partnerships:
Rexona Breaking Limits Program expands across Latin America
Global research conducted by Rexona (also known as Sure, Shield or Degree depending on where you are in the world) in 2021 found that close to two out of three people struggle with motivation to be active, with a key barrier being self-doubt. Driven by the belief that everyone should be able to experience the benefits of physical activity, our partnership on the Rexona Breaking Limits Program continued to develop this year.
Beyond Sport collaborated on the launch of five new digital training modules designed to help coaches deliver more inclusive physical activity and sport sessions for all young people regardless of gender, ability, ethnicity or economic status. We supported 30 leading sport for development organizations across the UK, US, Brazil - and new locations in Mexico and Argentina - with grant funds totalling nearly €1 million, helping them to enhance their programs, launch new initiatives and continue to provide safe spaces to move for young people in their communities.
With a translation of the series into Spanish and the new modules covering topics such as intellectual disabilities, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, anti-racism and mental wellbeing, we were proud to be able to engage even more coaches, teachers, volunteers and community leaders as we work together to positively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people! The program was also recognized in the Laureus Sport for Good Index 2022, where Rexona was named as a leading brand helping to drive positive change through sport, which was a great honor.
Beyond Sport Supports NHL's Hockey is For Everyone Program
New for 2022, we were pleased to lend our expertise in support of our partners at the National Hockey League (NHL) through a series of online masterclasses for organizations delivering its Hockey Is For EveryoneTM (HIFE) program.
The NHL provides support to 26 official HIFE grassroots hockey organizations in over 40 locations across the US and Canada. Since 1998, more than 130,000 young people from underserved communities have benefited from the opportunity to develop essential life skills through HIFE hockey programs, leveraging the core values of the game: commitment, perseverance and teamwork.
Our online workshops offered capacity-building training across four targeted areas based on needs identified by the local organizations. These included Fundraising, Governance, Leadership and Marketing & Outreach. Each session provided best practice examples and knowledge development for coaches, volunteers and senior leaders of the organizations that deliver HIFE programs in local communities, helping them to scale their impact and maximize efficiency and opportunities for success.
We believe that capacity-building initiatives such as these are essential to help the sport for social change sector close gaps. We're proud to provide smaller non-profits with training and information to develop their ability to compete for funding with more established organizations.
NFL Foundation UK and Mayor of London roll out grants program in partnership with Beyond Sport
The NFL Foundation UK is the charitable arm of the NFL in Britain. This year, we supported the rollout of its London grants program, focused on tackling inequality and the lack of opportunity faced by youth aged 11-20 in underserved communities.
Based on pilot work during 2021, American Football, its non-contact version NFL Flag and the “NFL Values”, have proven powerful in reaching young people who historically face greater barriers to accessing sport and physical activity, including girls, diverse ethnic groups and less active youth.
In Spring 2022, following a renewed funding commitment from the Mayor of London’s office totaling £1 million over two years, Beyond Sport received over 45 expressions of interest from non-profits and community organizations across London. Eight of these, representing different geographic and demographic focuses, have since been selected with an additional four to follow in early 2023. Each partner will receive a grant, equipment and training on how to incorporate NFL Flag alongside their current work with young people. Beyond Sport is proud to play a key role in supporting these organizations and the growing network of Flag providers across the city who are using the game to tackle inequalities and improve young Londoners’ lives.
Click here for the latest developments from The Sport Together Fund and stay tuned for exciting Return to Play Fund news in early 2023!