MEET THE SHORTLIST - CORPORATE OF THE YEAR

Selected from over 350 entries reaching 60 different countries, the Beyond Sport Awards, supported by Comic Relief shortlist represents the standout and unique work being done by organisations across the globe, from figure skating in Harlem to get young girls interested in STEM education, capoeira as a way to rehabilitate displaced young people in the Middle East to socially conscious gym classes as a way to support isolated older people in the disadvantaged communities across the UK.

The 36 nominated initiatives will be invited to the Beyond Sport Summit 2015, with their travel and accommodation provided, where the winners will be announced at the prestigious Awards Ceremony on the second day of the event.

Corporate of the Year Award 

The Corporate of the Year Award is for businesses that use sport within their philanthropic/corporate responsibility/citizenship/social marketing programmes

BP (Oman)

The BP Oman Sail Young Leaders Programme is run by BP Oman and Oman Sail to teach valuable employment skills including teamwork, confidence, creativity and problem solving through the sport of sailing, diving and other outdoor activities. The programme works to enhance the job prospects of Omani students and with BP’s support, the programme creates employment opportunities for participants, both male and female.

BT Sport (UK & Global)

The Supporters Club was created in 2013 with the launch of BT Sport. When consumers sign up to BT Sport, they are given the option of also giving a monthly donation of £1, £3 or £5 of which goes to sport for development programmes around the world. To date, BT Sport has contributed to funding 25 projects and will work towards helping over 43,000 people. Alongside funding projects of this ilk, BT Sport is committed to telling the stories of the good work that is happening and promoting the power of sport for social change.

New Balance (UK)

New Balance support GoodGym; the rapidly growing movement of runners doing hands-on good for their local communities as part of their fitness routines. GoodGym runners run to help isolated older people pairing runners with older people who they commit to visit once a week as well as transforming public spaces and working on community projects. The project connects strongly with New Balances’s goals and its desire to innovate in running.  The initiative has enabled GoodGym to double in size while increasing their sales and causing huge social impact.