Commonwealth Games Donate Equipment to Community Groups
August 16, 2022
Organisers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which took place in England from 28 July to 8 August, have teamed up with Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to give away more than 16,000 sports items used at the Games. The “community giveaway” is being made available to non-profit sports and community groups across the West Midlands in support of a shared goal from the organisations to create lasting impact beyond the event.
Local voluntary groups, schools, sports clubs, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and social enterprises that deliver community-based projects, seek to tackle inactivity and promote the physical and mental benefits of leading an active life, are encouraged to apply for the items through 19 September.
The application process was created with inclusiveity in mind to reflect the diversity of the West Midlands. Birmingham has an ethnically diverse population greater than most British cities with over one-third of people in Birmingham being non-white.
The opportunity is open to organisations providing inclusive and accessible sports, physical activity and wellbeing activities in communities in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, Hereford and Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire) who encourage participation and cohesion through sport, while promoting the benefits of physical health and wellbeing for their community. Guidance for application is available in 15 languages and video applications are also being accepted.
Commonwealth Games Minister, Nigel Huddleston adds: "It's fantastic to think the equipment used to set personal bests and Commonwealth Games records will soon be used in community centres and schools across the West Midlands. I would encourage all eligible organisations to apply - you could take a piece of Commonwealth Games history home with you and inspire your community to fall in love with a new sport."
20 sports were contested at the Games. The giveaway lots span sports such as basketball, netball, boxing and rugby and include bikes, martial arts mats, weights, T20 cricket equipment, basketballs, boxing gloves and weights, as well as general equipment, such as cones, bibs, mops, ice machines and vacuum cleaners.
Sport England Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth stated that the initiative was an important part of securing a long-term legacy for the Games. “The Birmingham Games were one to remember - but it’s now vital that sport and activity in our communities does not stop," he said. "It is a wonderful part of the Games’ immediate legacy that kit and equipment that has been part of iconic moments – like England women’s historic first hockey gold – can now go to local groups to support them in their ambition to benefit from playing sport and being active."
Learn more here.
Sport England was a Supporting Partner of Beyond the Games 2022 delivered by Beyond Sport, which took place at Villa Park just ahead of the Commonwealth Games.