Project Fair Play by SUDU and Sported aims to engage over 550,000 young people in Greater Manchester through running.
- The project focuses on making running accessible and inclusive, with plans to support existing and new running groups.
- Key issues addressed include inequality in sports, health, wellbeing, and community cohesion.
- SUDU and Sported will provide financial support and resources to community groups promoting running.
- Research will be conducted to understand and reduce disparity between running and other sports in social impact.
The Manchester-based sportswear company SUDU, in collaboration with the charity Sported, has launched Project Fair Play with an ambitious aim to transform community sports across Greater Manchester. The project is designed to break down barriers and make running accessible to over 550,000 young people, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in sports.
Project Fair Play targets both existing and new running groups. Of the 3,000 clubs supported by Sported, only 50 currently focus on running, indicating a significant gap in support and resources for this activity. By making running more accessible, SUDU and Sported seek to address issues such as inequality in sports participation and to foster community cohesion.
Vinny Clark, CEO of Levy Merchandising, highlights the project’s comprehensive plan to empower young people through sport. Offering grants and resources, SUDU aims to build communities that champion mental health and wellbeing. During the project’s initial phase, £1,000 grants will be available to running groups addressing issues like accessibility, community building, and reducing anti-social behaviour.
Mark Woods, head of marketing at Sported, underscores the project’s capacity to promote inclusivity, expressing excitement over SUDU’s commitment to fair play and diversity. By supporting running groups, the programme hopes to make a positive impact both physically and mentally for young participants.
Additionally, to enhance the project’s effectiveness, SUDU and Sported will commission research to explore disparities between running and other sports regarding social impact. This research aims to provide a strategic framework to improve accessibility and ensure that running can have a substantial community benefit.
Project Fair Play is a forward-thinking initiative poised to make running a more inclusive sport, thereby fostering community growth and individual wellbeing.