Barclays Spaces for Sports extends Beyond Sport partnership

Following the success of the collaboration in its first year, Beyond Sport announced that Barclays Spaces for Sports has extended its partnership with the sport and development initiative into a second year.

Barclays Spaces for Sports will once again play a pivotal role as a Global Partner to Beyond Sport, which includes the Beyond Sport Summit 2010 taking place in Chicago, September 29-30. 

Barclays Spaces for Sports is a community sports programme using sport to revitalise disadvantaged communities and tackle key social issues in countries around the world where Barclays operates. It was launched in the UK in 2004 and has delivered 200 sustainable sports sites in partnership with the Football Foundation, giving more than half a million people in disadvantaged communities the opportunity to benefit. 

Following its success in the UK the programme was extended globally in 2008, bringing the total commitment by Barclays to more than £37m. 

Kirk Harrison, Head of Barclays Spaces for Sports, said: “As a global sport for development programme driving positive social change, our partnership with Beyond Sport is a natural one.

“It allows us to share our expertise as a corporate in this field, as well as further extending our contacts and knowledge of the many other individuals and organisations involved in community sport through the Beyond Sport network.” 

Added Nick Keller , Founder of Beyond Sport: “The support of Barclays Spaces for Sports is a vital component to our success and we’re delighted that they are continuing to help us drive forward the movement. 

“Barclays has long been a trailblazer in this field and we hope that the positive example that the organisation is setting can persuade other corporate companies to follow their lead.” 

The Summit is a unique event designed to celebrate, promote and drive forward the use of sport as a tool for positive social change. It brings together those who use sport as a vehicle to create social impact and influencers from the world of business, government and federations whose attitudes and decisions can have substantial impact.

The 2010 event already boasts an impressive line-up of speakers including Olympic legends Michael Johnson and Ian Thorpe; HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan and former South African soccer captain Lucas Radebe. 

The Summit will also see the winners of the Beyond Sport Awards 2010 unveiled. Designed to recognise and reward the best sport and development projects from across the world on an annual basis, the Awards incorporate 12 categories covering the entire sporting spectrum of health, social inclusion, corporate and social responsibility and philanthropy.  

In its second year, the Awards has attracted entries from more than 400 projects, further extending the significant reach of the global initiative to over 200 countries and territories. 

A shortlist of projects in each of the Awards categories has been revealed in early summer, and representatives from each of the projects will be flown to Chicago for the Summit.

 Beyond Sport is also represented by a host of high-profile Ambassadors, all who bring unique experiences and visions to the initiative. Chaired by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, they also include Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012; former NBA Champion and US Senator Bill Bradley; and IOC Executive Board Member Nawal El Moutawakel, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Morocco .

 

For further information visit www.beyondsport.org.