sported. launch event

Sir Keith Mills and Lord Coe Launch National Sport for Development Foundation.

sported., a new charitable organisation that supports the voluntary and community sports sector in the UK, was launched in London today by Sir Keith Mills and Lord Sebastian Coe.

sported. has been created by Sir Keith Mills, Chief Executive of the London 2012 Olympic bid team and now Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Games (LOCOG). Inspired by his experience running London's successful bid, Mills has made a personal commitment to delivering the legacy of the Games by setting up an organisation that aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport. sported. was founded in 2008 and has been successfully piloted in three regions: London, the South West and the West Midlands. Today's launch marks the beginning of a national roll out across the UK.

Sir Keith Mills, founder of sported., said:

"We have created sported. to play the role of business angels dedicated to sport for development projects across the UK. It will be responsible for supporting the sport for development sector, both in terms of championing the benefits of grassroots sports for personal and social development and by offering services to the organisations and projects within it. Those providers are skilled at engaging young people and delivering activity, but often need help with the commercial and administrative aspects of running a business.

"sported.'s team of Regional Mangers and Volunteer Mentors around the UK, will offer bespoke business advice and one-to-one mentoring to assist providers of sport for development in becoming professional, sustainable and able to reach their full potential. sported. will also run a funding programme for its member organisations which will provide them with the core funding required to run their projects successfully.

"sported. will provide a holistic sponsorship opportunity for any company that wants to get involved in grassroots sport on a regional or national level in a unique and forward thinking way. We will be creating a strong brand presence, together with access to hundreds of community sport providers around the UK. Our membership is growing daily and we can offer sponsors and commercial investors a readymade opportunity to reach disadvantaged young people through sport, ahead of London 2012, and beyond."

Lord Coe, Chairman LOCOG, comments: 

"Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year has provided the perfect platform to inspire change in this country. 

"sported. is unique because it meets a real need in the sector and is taking an approach which will ensure sustainable provision of sports at a grassroots level. We need organisations like sported. to help encourage existing sport for development projects and ensure that the power of London 2012 is used to motivate people.

"With Keith's vision, business network and exceptional leadership skills, I am certain that sported. will be a great success and will enhance personal and social development through sport."

sported.'s role is to identify relevant projects which aim to deliver social change, and to work with them on a long term basis to ensure they operate more efficiently. Its hundreds of members around the UK range from regional charities to social enterprises and individually run community sport groups.  

sported.'s volunteers, individuals from all walks of life with a wide range of business expertise, will provide business advice on areas such as business planning, policies and procedures, marketing, finance and fundraising. The volunteer programme is now open for anyone who has business experience and provides a unique opportunity for those who want to work in sport without having sporting qualifications.

In response to feedback from its members, sported. will launch a Small Grants Programme on June 1st, allowing members to apply for up to £2,000 to help assist with costs and purchases essential to the running of their organisations. This funding is in addition to the large grants programme which is already in place.

Through nine regional offices, sported. will deliver its services across England from June. From January 2012 another three offices will mean UK wide delivery. The charity has also been awarded with the Inspire Mark, given by LOCOG to non-commercial organisations who deliver projects and events that are accessible and are genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Games.