GiveToLocal shows commitment to backing sport

GiveToLocal has underpinned its commitment to backing sport, boosting business and building networks by adding a new corporate relations manager to its rapidly expanding senior team.

Glaswegian James Rooney joins the North East-based organisation with a brief to onboard national partners to a business network capable of changing the face of community sport.

And the son of a former professional footballer can’t wait to kick off the next chapter of a career rooted in relationship management.

“I’m passionate about community sport and excited about the opportunity to make a difference with GiveToLocal,” says James.

“And when it comes to enabling positive change and creating a lasting legacy I’m convinced that there’s no better place to be.

“There is a lot of talk around organisations pivoting in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and taking a proactive approach in a challenging environment but GiveToLocal is doing exactly that.

“Community sport clubs need support more than ever and it’s an extremely challenging time for players, parents, coaches and volunteers.

“However, GiveToLocal has the enthusiasm, the expertise and the technology to help those clubs look forward to a brighter financial future.”

James joins GiveToLocal’s head of corporate relations, David Broom, and fellow new recruit Melanie Bullock in shaping a rapidly growing team focused on building a network of corporate partners committed to supporting grassroots sport.

Those partners benefit from unique B2B opportunities and the opportunity to develop and enhance existing CSR initiatives by helping to support clubs and teams which sit at the heart of their local communities.

“We’re excited to have James join our growing corporate team,” adds David.

“I’ve worked closely with him in the past and trust him implicitly. James’s passion for delivering results will be an asset to our corporate partners and the thousands of sports clubs we support across the UK.

“His love of sport and his own experience of community sport means he can relate to GiveToLocal’s core aims.

“We are here to deliver impactful and meaningful change to the way our grassroots sports clubs are funded and James can play a key role in enabling that change.

“His experience of working with corporates and building meaningful relationships means his appointment made complete sense.”

GiveToLocal is working with more than 55,000 teams across 15 sports nationwide – enabling donors and sponsors to contribute as little as £3 per month to community clubs in urgent need of financial support.

Regular webinars have enabled the organisation to learn from its clubs and test functionality and ease of messaging within its app and supporting service.

And the expansion of David’s corporate team further evidences an ongoing commitment to delivering the best service possible

“Even before I joined GiveToLocal I was well aware of the organisation’s impact within the community sport sector and I’ve been blown away by its potential,” adds James.

“It has the power to do so much good and within a year the service has already transformed the way clubs and teams can go about raising vital funds.

“It’s a unique concept – there really is nothing else like GiveToLocal out there and I think that’s what appeals to the business community.

“The corporate partners that we have already brought on board – and those we’re speaking to now – understand the value of what we bring to the table.

“I come from a working-class background in Glasgow and my dream was to play golf professionally.

“The support I received from the local community and grassroots sport organisations enabled me to pursue that dream and achieve a golf scholarship in America.

“I am a product of community sport and an example of the positive effect it can have on young people. Now I have a chance to give something back by applying my experience in a unique organisation that has the ability to have a huge impact on so many people.”

For more information on the GiveToLocal network visit www.givetolocal.com/corporates