GiveToLocal to support 21 sports in 2021

GiveToLocal’s mission to back sport, boost business and build networks will gather pace in 2021 following the decision to support six new sports from January.

Squash, table tennis, badminton, rowing, judo and dodgeball are the exciting new additions to the GiveToLocal roster.

And clubs in all six sports can register their interest throughout December as GiveToLocal presses ahead with its plans to pump an additional £10m annually into community sport.

“It’s fantastic to know that GiveToLocal will be supporting squash,” said Northumberland-born ex-England captain and former world number six Bryan Beeson.

“It’s a sport that’s been hit really hard by the pandemic and a sport that needs all the support it can get once we’re allowed to get back to playing properly.

“Due to the confined nature of the courts and the close contact between players we haven’t been allowed to play a conventional game of squash since March.

“Local leagues have closed down and social players are losing touch with the game they love.

“My concern is that older players who’ve got out of the habit of playing will be lost to the game now. And younger players might have turned their attention elsewhere.

“With GiveToLocal’s help we can ensure that 2021 is the year that squash bounces back.”

GiveToLocal already works with 15 sports across the UK — bringing together clubs, donors, sponsors and corporate partners to create a community-focused network centred around sport’s power to do good.

And thanks to the exceptional enthusiasm and influx of support from the business community the organisation is in a position to increase its reach and capacity.

British Dodgeball, the governing body for the sport, has signed a national partnership agreement with GiveToLocal which underpins a common goal to work together for the good of communities across the UK.

And Managing Director Ben Hoyle added: “British Dodgeball is delighted to be partnering with GiveToLocal and we’re looking forward to achieving great things together in 2021.

“This has been an extremely challenging year for community sport and it’s been no different for dodgeball.

“GiveToLocal’s user-friendly fundraising platform provides our clubs with the perfect opportunity to secure additional funding at a time when they need it most.

“Working together I think we can make a significant and positive difference.”

GiveToLocal plans to roll out a number of high profile and heavily supported campaigns in 2021 as the service broadens its reach to support more of the volunteers, coaches and parents at the heart of grassroots sport.

And its ‘21 for 2021’ push epitomises the service’s refusal to stand still despite Covid-19’s damaging impact across community sport.

“Throughout 2020 we’ve reacted quickly to challenges, stepped up to the plate when it matters most and learnt how we can best make a positive impact,” said GiveToLocal CEO Neil Gardiner.

“We’ve gone fee free so that our teams and clubs can benefit from every penny donated in their name.

“And thanks to our friends in the business community we can commit to supporting a further six sports next year.

“Don’t get me wrong — we’d love to increase that number. And our team is continually working to put measures in place both internally and with our sporting partners in order to bring more sports on board in the future.

“We can’t wait to start working with squash, table tennis, badminton, rowing, judo and dodgeball clubs from next month.

“It’s been an exceptionally difficult year for community sport but GiveToLocal is here to help turn things around in 2021.”

To find out how your business can work with GiveToLocal to support community sport visit www.givetolocal.com/corporates