GiveToLocal kicks off new national partnership

Rapidly expanding North East sport organisation GiveToLocal has agreed an eye-catching national partnership positioned to transform American football across the UK.

The Tyneside-based service is working alongside the British American Football Association (BAFA) to raise additional income for clubs across the country.

And the move follows confirmation that GiveToLocal is now working with 12 county Football Associations – supporting the grassroots game as far afield as Kent and Suffolk.

“What I look for in any sort of partnership is a mutually beneficial relationship,” explains BAFA CEO Pete Ackerley.

“Ultimately, I want our clubs to be more successful and more financially stable.

“I want to be able to grow American football across the UK. And I want our clubs to be aware of all the support that is available to them.

“That’s what really excites me about this partnership with GiveToLocal.

“I love the community aspect of it and the fact that it will allow clubs to become a bigger part of their local community is great. I’m really looking forward to building upon this relationship.”

GiveToLocal launched last December and the bulk of its team was headquartered in North Shields before the coronavirus pandemic meant staff were asked to work from home.

The outbreak of COVID-19 forced the organisation to pivot and bring forward ambitious plans to work with 14 sports.

American football is one of those sports and the BAFA partnership means GiveToLocal’s groundbreaking service is now fully aligned with the governing body’s long-term ambitions.

Colin Stromsoy, Director Of Strategic Partnerships at GiveToLocal, adds: “We’re incredibly excited to be working alongside BAFA to help American football clubs across the UK generate additional funding and face the future with confidence.

“This innovative partnership has the potential to make a real difference to a hugely popular sport at grassroots level and we can’t wait to get started.

“Pete and the team at BAFA are committed to developing American football in the UK from the ground up – their past record and future plans align perfectly with what GiveToLocal wants to achieve.

“We are proud to partner with BAFA and it is clear that we share the same focus and ambition when it comes to putting American football clubs at the heart of their communities.”

Pete, who worked for the Football Association at St George’s Park before focusing on his new role with BAFA, added: “In the same way that I want to build a relationship with all of our clubs, I also want to build a relationship with GiveToLocal.

“I think it’s quite different for Colin and his colleagues to be able enter into a relationship at the ground floor as opposed to with a sport that’s been around for 100 years.

“There are some parts of this relationship that I’m not sure where it’ll lead to! But that excites me – I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

“I want this relationship to be a collaboration so that we, alongside GiveToLocal, can help American football grow and develop.”

GiveToLocal pairs donors with grassroots teams and local SMEs to create a community built around sport.

In addition, the organisation leverages mutually beneficial relationships with global sporting stars and national media to facilitate the development of a network of corporate partners looking to make their own contribution to communities grappling with the post-lockdown climate.

“We still don’t really know what the medium to long-term economic impact of the virus will be,” admits Pete.

“That’s why this new partnership with GiveToLocal is pivotal for our clubs.

“It’ll enable them to access new forms of local fundraising and also allow local businesses to support the clubs closest to them.

“That’s why we’re delighted to partner with GiveToLocal. It gives our clubs a variety of ways to raise additional funds.”

For more information on GiveToLocal visit www.givetolocal.com

To discuss corporate relationships email David Broom at [email protected]

Photography – ThreeFiveThree Photography / Garry Griffiths