sported. Launches in the North West

sported. announced its regional plans for the North West at a launch held at Gujarat Hindu Society, Preston on 14th October 2011.

The aim of the Launch was to introduce sported. and it's strategic aims, plans and services to key stakeholders across the North-West. A wide range of organisations and individuals were in attendance at the event including Members, Mentors, funders, and organisations from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.

The Launch marked a key milestone for the development of sported. in the North West region, as we extend our membership and services across the area.

There was positive feedback from the audience in relation to the work of sported. and how it offers fantastic opportunities for groups that are delivering sport for development activities to get the business support and financial assistance to make them more effective and sustainable.

Afrasaib Anwar, Hassan Haidry and Awais Javid Volunteers from Burnley Sports Alliance - a sported. Member - were our first guest speakers and spoke about how they used sport as a tool for engaging and working with young people. Hassan also gave an inspirational account of how the intervention of the Group had a positive impact on him and enabled him to change his life around, from "going off the rails" to now becoming a volunteer and also training to become a teacher.

Terry Hephrun, Chair of both Lancashire Association of Council for Voluntary Services, and Burnley Sports & Physical Activity Alliance was our second guest speaker. He spoke of the challenges facing voluntary sector organisations in the sector, particularly in this current environment of financial cuts and uncertainty. He also spoke about the importance of partnership working by Infrastructure Support Organisations & the statutory sector to enable effective use of resources and capacity, thus ensuring effective and holistic support for grassroots organisations.

Rehana Koser, the Regional Manager for the North West stated " It has been really exciting to officially launch sported. in the region, and to develop good productive partnerships with key stakeholders across area. The response we have had from groups and individuals has been great, and I am looking forward to supporting groups to become more business savvy and sustainable, thus continuing their great work in improving the lives of disadvantaged young people across the North-West".