2020

1. Blue Family – Everton Football Club and Everton in the Community

On Friday 13 March, Everton Football Club and its charitable arm, Everton in the Community, became the first Premier League Club to close all Club sites and temporarily postpone most community programme delivery due to the impending threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Everton’s immediate response – made possible by strategic planning undertaken in January – was followed by the planning of ‘Blue Family’, a campaign to provide vital support and assistance to the Liverpool City Region. Blue Family was officially launched on Thursday 19 March, five days prior to the UK Government implemented a national lockdown, ensuring Everton became the first Premier League club to devise an outreach initiative that not only supported their fans but members of its local community.
Delivered collaboratively between Everton Football Club and Everton in the Community, Blue Family is a coordinated outreach and engagement campaign to provide essential aid to some of the most vulnerable, socially isolated and at-risk members of the community in the wake of the pandemic.

 

2. Bristol Rovers Football Club

Bristol Rovers Football Club played a key part in helping their community through the pandemic by reaching out to all stakeholders and providing them with a wide-ranging support package to those most in need. They also provided regular and detailed updates to supporters through the clubs various channels from key figures at the club. Their work received national exposure and praise and undoubtably helped make a difficult time a little easier for many.

 

3. ITTF Foundation

#TableTennisUnited is more than a mere fundraising campaign It is a show of defiant solidarity in the face of a COVID-19 enforced shutdown of the sport The ITTF Foundation has created this campaign for the whole table tennis community to support those members most in need Athletes, coaches, umpires, national associations and field projects can apply for both, financial and equipment support, whether it is about paying rent, get some income for not generated salaries due to local lock-downs or to pay food or protective measures for community members The donation campaign is powered by the ITTF Foundation and supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and World Table Tennis (WTT), the new commercial and events vehicle of the ITTF, who together have committed to donate more than USD 250,000 to the cause We – the global table tennis family – feel obliged to take on this responsibility It is imperative that we all make our contribution in this challenging time so that community spirit rises above all else This vision should bring us even closer together and give us strength for the future.

 

4. Manchester City FC – Covid-19 response

From the beginning of the pandemic, Manchester City recognised the important role it had to play in supporting communities locally and globally, so developed a series of initiatives to respond to immediate need and help communities recover from the pandemic.
As the Premier League restarted, the Club launched Cityzens Giving for Recovery, a year-long programme bringing together all City Football Group clubs, staff, fans and players, to make a positive difference – mobilising donations, expertise, facilities, resources, and voice to support recovery-linked projects in each of the nine cities where CFG has clubs.
This built on local initiatives including a partnership with the NHS and Manchester City Council, which transformed the Etihad Campus to provide facilities including coronavirus testing, a rest, relaxation and exercise centre for key workers, and a training base for nursing staff.
The Club’s charity City in the Community adapted its community football delivery to ensure that even during lockdown we could still engage and support local young people, and the Club delivered adapted training content to young leaders globally to empower them to promote COVID-19 recovery through football in their communities.

 

5. Manchester United FC & Manchester United Foundation

The objective of our COVID-19 response was simple – to continue to support those we work with on a day-to-day basis, whilst also extending our provision to others in society who were in need.
To do this, a plan was developed to:

• Offer support and resources to the NHS and other organisations involved in the frontline fight.
•  Maintain its programmes of support for partner schools, whilst developing new initiatives and funding streams to support them and their pupils.
• Provide financial and practical assistance to foodbanks locally.
• Extend our support to fan communities near and far through financial donations and wellbeing schemes.
• Financially support its fans and non-salaried staff through refunds and the ongoing payment of wages respectively.

John Shiels, chief executive of Manchester United Foundation reflected: “When you’re a leading organisation in a city, like Manchester United is in Greater Manchester, you have to stand up and be counted at a time like this. I’m so proud that the club and our Foundation have done that. We’ve supported our staff, our fans, our partner organisations, and our communities and we will keep doing so through this pandemic and beyond.”

 

6. Norwich City Football Club/Community Sports Foundation Covid-19 Committee

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a fund of £200,000 was raised personally by Daniel Farke, the players, senior staff, and the owners/directors of Norwich City Football Club to enable the Club to support the most vulnerable people and charitable organisations in Norfolk.
The Club knew that they wanted to do everything they could to also show their assistance to their loyal supporters and the wider community during these unprecedented times, and a working committee for the “Canaries COVID-19 Community Project” was formed, in conjunction with CSF, the Clubs official charity partner, and three objectives were collectively set:
Objective One
To support the fans and undertake community engagement initiatives
Objective Two
To support the most vulnerable in our wider community by working with local charities and community groups
Objective Three
To support the NHS and care workers
The Club achieved these objectives through four main projects:

• 7000 telephone calls to season tickets holders aged 60+ to check on their well-being
• The distribution of care packages to local charities and wider community
• The distribution of PPE to care homes and medical centres across Norfolk
• Thankyou gifts of handmade cakes/signed football shirts delivered to local health and care workers

 

7. Preston North End

Our PNECET Helping Hampers initiative benefitted vulnerable members of the community, providing them with essential food and toiletries during an unprecedented time of need. However, it also allowed us to bring the Preston community together in response to the crisis.
With the support of the first team squad and management, we empowered individuals of all ages and backgrounds, as well as generous local businesses, to go above and beyond to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
A team of dedicated volunteers were an essential part of the initiative by packing goods funded by our first team squad, the general public and a series of grants, and delivering them to those who needed them most. Among the volunteers were our local police force and a young person on our NCS programme.
We were also supported by local businesses such as Aldi Deepdale, Booker’s wholesalers and the Cardboard Box Company. Meanwhile, primary school children provided messages of hope. The inclusion of other engaging materials such as matchday programmes and PNE themed books donated by local authors gave our hampers a truly unique feel to Preston North End – indicating how our campaign brought all members of the community together.

 

8. QPR FC

The R U OK campaign was launched during March 2020 in reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic to provide much needed support to the local community, QPR fan-base and vulnerable people already known to the club A unique welfare team was collaborated from QPR, the Community Trust and our Academy staff – including our First Team manager Mark Warburton, first-team players, former players, our Director of Football Les Ferdinand, our Academy Technical Director, QPR Trust CEO and members of the Trust staff Over 1,500 calls have been made so far, ranging from west London all the way to Sierra Leone, highlighting the huge need for support from QPR during difficult times QPR worked tirelessly alongside local partners, food banks and emergency support to ensure that anyone contacting our welfare team were able to get access to food medication and friendly support Staff went over and above simply making phone calls – socially distant visits were made to our Over 60 participants who were isolated and not able to attend the Trust’s usual activities Support ranged from phone calls, to collecting prescriptions, making gardens accessible, phone calls to fans from key staff and players, and supporting people to access digital and online

 

9. Saints As One – Southampton FC and Saints Foundation

In March 2020, Southampton Football Club and its charity Saints Foundation, came together to launch Saints As One in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.Saints As One was an outreach and engagement project which set out to educate, entertain, support and unite local people, fans and our existing participants, many of whom found themselves increasingly isolated and vulnerable due to the effects of Covid-19.Across a four-month period, this details just some of what was achieved:

• 13,000 freshly cooked meals distributed to vulnerable people across the city in partnership with food charity FareShare.
• 1,500 volunteering hours from club and Foundation staff at FareShare’s distribution centres.
• 1,700 prescriptions delivered to vulnerable and isolated people, 80% of whom were aged 60+.
• Over 9,500 welfare calls made to Saints Foundation participants or club season holders aged 60+, equating to more than 40,000 minutes of support.
• Over 1,000 bespoke and age appropriate exercise manuals hand delivered to older people across the city.
•  5,000 face masks and over 9,000 units of food and drink donated to Solent NHS Trust.
• Over £100,000 raised to support the work of multiple charities missing out on vital fundraising opportunities.

1. EVENT360

Working in collaboration with the Premier League, Liverpool FC and Sky Sports, EVENT360 were engaged to produce a memorable COVID-19 safe End of Season Trophy Presentation for the Premier League at Liverpool Football Club, allowing the players to celebrate their victory in a controlled and safe environment without spectators.This was achieved through a bespoke stage built into The Kop at Anfield Stadium, which allowed for a socially distanced stage build and install, reducing number of crew required onsite for matchday. The scale of the stage allowed for social distancing of players, and operationally staff were able to work within recommended COVID-19 safe guidelines when onsite due to location of the stage. The resulting presentation was enhanced with an impressive lighting and flame FX design using the entire Kop end as a backdrop, and large scale pyrotechnics off the roof of Anfield Stadium to ensure that LFC fans could still witness the celebration, from a safe distance away from the stadium across Liverpool.

 

2. Everton Family – Everton Football Club

The Everton Family signalled its dedication to protecting players, staff, fans, and the wider community by closing all sites on March 13 – ten days before the national lockdown Everton was able to act swiftly thanks to robust risk and governance processes and CEO Professor Denise Barrett Baxendale initiating scenario planning from January 2020 The Club and its charity Everton in the Community was the first to mobilise its response to serve the community – Blue Family – which to date has seen 17,000 vulnerable people and families supported with their physical and mental wellbeing Health, wellbeing and education content was created and shared across all Everton website and social media channels reached more than 24 5m people in the first four weeks, and more than 16,250 check-in phone calls have been made Staff welfare was also a priority, with the launch of Everton Connect, an online engagement programme designed to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of all members of the Everton Family, keeping them connected, informed and active The Club and charity has used data to inform its response to protect staff and fans, and worked with health authorities to deliver key public health messages.

 

3. Imagineear’s SafeSpace at Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium Tour

In July, Arsenal Football Club resumed its Stadium Tours with a new socially-distanced visit using Imagineear’s SafeSpace™ – a proximity-based technology that ensures guests remain a safe distance from each other whilst onsite. When a visitor’s, or family group’s space is compromised by another visitor, SafeSpace™ triggers an audio, haptic and/or visual alert on the user’s device prompting them to keep a safe distance from each other.A one-way system was also introduced through the stadium to help regulate the number of people in an area at a given time. Imagineear edited the tour content in ten languages, including British Sign Language (BSL), to support social distancing and the new visitor flow, and added visual reminder prompts on the device’s screen to help visitor awareness on the tour route.Imagineear is a leading innovator in the provision of multimedia content and technology solutions. We design and produce multilingual multimedia self- or group-guided tours and visitor experiences in long-term partnership with sports clubs, stadia, sports museums and heritage attractions worldwide. Our tours help control the message delivered to all visitors and bring the excitement of events, clubs and venues to life, deepening the connection with visiting fans from around the world.

 

4. Lancashire Cricket

As the ECB sought to salvage the International Cricket this Summer – crucial to securing £200 million in broadcast revenues in 2020 alone – Emirates Old Trafford became the centrepiece venue in their plan.With little chance of supporters returning to cricket for the start of the cricket season, the team at EOT created a 50-page proposal outlining how the venue would operate a bio-secure event, based on the experience and comprehensive knowledge of the site The operational plans that were put in place were to ensure a ensure a safe environment for the resumption of international cricket at the venue behind-closed-doors.In June, EOT was selected as a host venue for the proposed Test Match Series with the West Indies Due to the success of the security and protections measures put in place, the venue went on to host 21 days of international cricket played behind-closed-doors.Not content with protecting staff, players, media, operational and technical teams on-site during this period, Lancashire Cricket and EOT launched the ‘Safe in One Place’ campaign with sharing best practice with the wider UK events industry as it prepared to return on October 1.

 

5. Professional Darts Corporation

It was darts, but not as you’d know it! The Professional Darts Corporation led the way in sport’s safe return with the hugely successful staging of the PDC Summer Series in July. The tournament which was staged within a bio-secure “bubble” saw almost 130 players and up to 70 staff from right across the globe come together for the five-day tournament of elite level darts, after almost four months without competitive in-person action.The five one-day Players Championship events were staged in a protected environment, which included all players and staff being subject to Covid-19 tests and placed in isolation until being cleared to participate.The Summer Series took place under strict guidelines agreed with DCMS, including significant changes to standard playing protocols, the operation of the events and sanctions in place should players not observe regulations.Extensive pre-tournament planning created a playing area which ensured appropriate social distancing was in operation, clear signage to keep all personnel within the “bubble”, having reserve players on stand-by as well as health & safety measures which included the appointment of a medically-trained Welfare Officer.The events featured live worldwide streaming and attracted international media coverage.

 

6. UK Active

ukactive is the not-for-profit membership body for the physical activity sector and exists to improve the health of the nation by getting more people, more active, more often We work with our members and partners who share a common ambition to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation On March 20th, gyms and leisure centres were forced to close This had a catastrophic effect on the industry, but also the nation’s health and wellbeing including deteriorating mental health and deepening of inequalities The focus of ukactive’s work was to embark on a campaign of lobbying on the sector’s behalf to give the Government the confidence it needs to recognise and support gyms and leisure centres towards reopening This included the publication of Covid 19 secure guidelines, policy calls to government, accelerating a digital transformation , providing business modelling/mitigate risk and increasing consumer confidence (including Covid 19 myth busting) This involved a array of stakeholders to whom ukactive were communicating to – government departments, leisure site operators, sector professionals and the general public Following months of lobbying and at its climax, site visits by Government and public health officials, the physical activity sector was granted reopening on the 25th July.

 

1. ATP #TennisAtHome

In the days following the suspension of the ATP Tour in March 2020 due to COVID-19, tennis was faced with difficult questions: how can we keep up communication with our fans and athletes, in a way that is authentic and valuable? How can we promote togetherness, connection and positivity in an uncertain new world of social distancing?
The answer was ATP #TennisAtHome, a unique user-generated social media campaign launched to meet the needs of an unprecedented global situation. The campaign called upon the tennis community to show how they were interacting with tennis from the confines of home.
The results exceeded all expectations: enormous fan and player engagement, content picked up by major international media outlets, and strengthened communication with the entire tennis community.
ATP #TennisAtHome showed that even when we are apart, tennis can bring us closer together.

2. Distributed Timekeeping by Swiss Timing

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the sport world to a stop with most events either postponed or cancelled. In an attempt to answer this crisis, right holders have turned to different forms of virtual alternatives to keep providing content to their audiences. We therefore asked ourselves: how could we contribute to BRING REAL SPORTS BACK ON TV and other digital platforms? Distributed Timekeeping was our answer!
Distributed Timekeeping consists in 3 unique novelties setting new technological standards in the sports event industry: Distributed Timing and Scoring, Virtual Photofinish and Remote Operations.

3. EFL and Mind – ‘Inside the Mind of’

As part of the EFL and Mind’s charity partnership, ten players and managers from across the League were announced as ‘On Your Side’ champions during Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 and took part in video interviews released daily across EFL social channels.
The interviews were conducted by EFL Ambassadors and Sky Sports presenter Scott Minto and broadcaster and mental health advocate Charlie Webster
Discussing their own mental health experiences, their time in lockdown and their advice for fans at present but also in regular life, the interviews ranged from 30 to 50 minutes long and provided fans with an honest look ‘Inside the Mind of’ some of their favourite managers and players in a way they hadn’t necessarily before.

4. Everton Family – Everton Football Club

In response to Covid-19, the Everton Family immediately put in place a multi-channel communications campaign for fans, staff, Everton in the Community participants and community stakeholders, to serve and inform its international community Everton’s Covid-19 communications falls into three categories: Blue Family, Corporate Communications and Internal Communications As part of its Blue Family campaign, the Club adapted its digital strategy to provide tailored educational resources, entertainment and public health information reaching over 24 5million people in just the first four weeks and to date, Blue Family content has generated more than 7 million video views, 40million impressions and more than 1million engagements on social media Engagement was at the heart of all communications, with the Club and charity listening to fans’ needs to curate content, arrange feel good experiences for fans, and inform the wider Club response. Those in need can request support from the Club’s Blue Family Campaign – the first coronavirus response campaign set up in football – easily. More than 16,250 check-in phone calls have been made to those in social isolation, and around the world. Everton Connect, an online programme created and led by staff, has also kept staff connected and provided wellbeing resources.

5. ITTF Foundation

It was an absolutely different celebration, but as magnificent as in previous years: World Table Tennis ‘at Home’ Day on 6 April 2020! People from 171 countries and regions were physically distanced, but socially united, to celebrate this special day! Covid-19 changed everyone’s life as it did with World Table Tennis Day 2020 plans turning them upside down. Besides all obstacles, new strength and new ideas were mixed with the old vision of WTTD of popularity, universality and inclusiveness inviting everyone, everywhere to use random objects that they could find around the house to hit the ball in the bedroom, kitchen, garage, etc.
Thanks to 3882 passionate table tennis players world-wide who participated in the longest, craziest table tennis rally the world has ever seen, the celebration was huge focussing on the power of table tennis to stay safe, active and healthy by flattening the curve and blocking the virus! Our table tennis family stood together demonstrating how to tackle boredom and how to have fun while staying in quarantine. We let everybody know that NO ONE has to face this pandemic alone:
Best of Craziest Longest Table Tennis Rally Ever: https://www youtube com/watch v=Dr5MrWVYAjQ
Full version: https://youtu.be/ZfPqMStMNcU

6. Manchester United

Match Rewind was an innovative reaction to the COVID-19 period, engaging with and delivering to fans in real-time, the closest thing to a live sport experience: 3 times a week, Man Utd fans from all over the world voted for classic matches to be streamed on our official platforms, with multiple themes: Classic European finals, Legendary performances, wins vs top rivals,…
To decide on the match, fan votes were gathered via the official app and website, to select their favourite match, to re-watch live. Following this, every match was then live streamed the following day on MUTV and official club app and website. Across social platforms, multiple ‘as live’ posts were published: lineups of the match, photos, ‘goal of the day’ , photo galleries, ‘match reports’, …
Match Rewind ran for over 10 weeks during the lockdown period, ahead of live sport returning, and generated over 1 million votes in total from over 200 countries. This became our most engaged show on MUTV On social channels, millions of fans engaged with build-up posts.
https://www.manutd.com/en/events/liveevents?eventtag=17032020WatchUnitedgamesforfreeviaMatchRewind

7. Midea Home Challenge and Manchester City

Midea, one of the world’s largest and most successful appliance producers, had just announced a brand-new partnership with Manchester City. Then, without warning, the most significant health pandemic of our generation strikes, and football is off the cards for the foreseeable future…what do you do?
No live sport means no exposure, no association, none of those magic moments filled with emotion that the marketing team pitched to the boardroom to get the deal done.
So, how does an appliance company with a brand-new Man City partnership engage millions of fans around the world who are stuck at home with no football?
The #MideaHomeChallenge, that’s how! A six-week campaign featuring Man City players, legends and coaches taking part in a variety of challenges and trick-shots involving everyday appliances.
With the success and virality of the ‘Loo Roll Challenge’ taking the world by storm at that time, we were confident this re-shaped idea, relevant for Midea, would resonate.
And thankfully, when you have a bunch of competitive football lads sitting at home, looking for something to escape the boredom, throwing out a challenge they can do from the comfort of their own home seemed like a no-brainer. We were right!

8. Professional Darts Corporation

The PDC Home Tour was the only UK-based sporting competition being played during the lockdown period, broadcasting 43 nights of darts featuring four-player groups competing between April 17-June 5.
The tournament involved players broadcasting from home, while commentator Dan Dawson presented all 43 nights, which were broadcast for free through the PDCTV streaming service, through the Sky Sports App and various worldwide broadcasters.

9. Standard Chartered Tweet Victory for Liverpool FC

As Liverpool FC raised the Premier League Trophy for the first time in 30-years it would be behind closed doors due to COVID-19. Standard Chartered knew LFC fans were hungry to be close to this moment and share their celebration with the team. So, we invited fans to be a part of this historic moment.
We tirelessly collected #StandRed tweets of congratulations and printed them on sustainable confetti. The fan confetti; every piece printed with a different message of fan support, was launched 15-meters high to rain down on the Liverpool FC Players as the world watched. The fans tweets were collated from more than 60-countries to truly give access to all and have heartfelt messages of congratulations reach the Liverpool FC players.
Fan’s pride illumined the night sky, it was captured by every media outlet and it put millions of fans, virtually, in the same place as their winning team! This simple campaign garnered over 8-million views on Standard Chartered and Liverpool FC social channels, with less than US$55k media spend.
Putting fans at the heart of celebration, now that’s Tweet Victory.
Because it’s better together with Standard Chartered.

10. West Ham United and Experience Kissimmee

Experience Kissimmee created a bespoke experience for West Ham United fans during an unprecedented worldwide global pandemic. Whilst families were unable to attend games, socialise or even meet outdoors, the Best Seat in the house concept brought fans together to watch their beloved team alongside Legends of the game, from the comfort of their own homes. Ahead of every home Premier League game, West Ham United fans were invited to enter the competition and explain why they deserved to enjoy a unique experience, courtesy of Experience Kissimmee. Experience Kissimmee facilitated a money can’t buy experience that engaged with supporters, virtually, and further supported their objective of driving affiliation between families and the brand. Fans joined Club Legends including Marlon Harewood and Jack Collison to watch the final 5 home games of the season, hearing their exclusive insight into the games taking place, as well as listening to stories from their own playing careers. Over 200 fans entered throughout the campaign, with five lucky winners sitting alongside their heroes in the ‘Best Seat in the House’.

1. DB Living

DB Living are a Tax Consultancy supporting professional and semi-professional athletes and self-employed professionals with their Tax Returns and Tax Reclaims.
Founded by an ex-professional footballer, DB Living has a team dedicated to delivering the high possible service to their 700+ clients ranging from Women’s and Men’s Football, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Netball and Cricket.
DB Living are partnered with the Netball Players Association and Our Game Football, in addition to having a high recommended service and extensive testimonials for their work.
DB Living is an example to other sports professionals looking to prepare for life after football, to ensure a smooth transition after retirement.

2. Everton Football Club

Everton Football Club has created a fully integrated in-house Legal, Risk and Governance Team delivering joined-up professional services across the whole Everton Family.
With unprecedented scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and the media, and rapidly growing risk exposures in areas such as cyber security, safeguarding and financial sustainability, it is now more critical than ever that the Everton Family and its employees systematically comply with legal, regulatory and internal policy requirements.
The team is made up of qualified professionals covering:
• Management Information and Reporting
• Strategic Projects
• Risk Management
• Legal Services
• Company Secretarial
• Due Diligence
• Compliance and Assurance
• Data Protection
• Insurance
• CEO Strategic Support
This includes Big Four Qualified Chartered Accountants, Qualified Lawyers and a Data Protection Officer. The team touches every part of the business, from compliance around matchday logistics to protecting the data of millions of fans, to player transfers and commercial partnerships. The team is a critical part of the Club’s vision and strategy; on-pitch success must be underpinned by a strong business.

3. Fladgate LLP

Fladgate’s Sports Business Group is renowned for its ‘end-to-end’ ability to work with all stakeholders, ranging from governing bodies, rights holders, clubs and institutions to agencies, investors, funders and athletes. This highlights our deep and genuine understanding of the sports sector, and our strong capability to provide a genuine full service across all key legal disciplines involved in the business of sport. Our knowledge and networks means we are able to proactively seek opportunities for our clients and deliver robust and practical solutions.
The team has exceptional expertise in advising stakeholders on international major sporting events, commercial rights exploitation and advising on complex commercial litigation in sport. We also have a market leading reputation for international sports investment and finance.
Our specialist lawyers have hands-on practical experience including in-house roles at London 2012, the 2015 England Rugby World Cup and Manchester City FC.

4. Jockey Club Services

Jockey Club Services (JCS) has developed a world class platform of services which is now available to the professional sports market. Marked improvements have been experienced by JCS’s clients in the performance of their clubs and they have achieved savings across many facets of their businesses; allowing profits to be re-invested back into their sport.
With expertise in Ticketing, Finance & Accounting, Payroll, Public Wi-fi, IT Services, Events, Live Music and Procurement, JCS has provided procurement services to five county cricket teams, ticketing to three county cricket teams and the Saudi Cup in Riyadh, live music to The Ageas Bowl and Kingsholm, has created the Rewards4Cricket Loyalty programme being run by Hampshire, Glamorgan, Durham, Lancashire and Worcestershire County Cricket Clubs. JCS’s fastest growing service is finance and accounting where partners include Table Tennis England, England Squash, Badminton England, British Fencing and UK Athletics. JCS has many other NGB’s in the pipeline.
JCS can deliver significant economies of scale to other professional sports organisations, saving them money and providing insights based on experiences which prove a real benefit. These economies of scale will only increase as new partners come on board.

5. KSS

KSS is one of the foremost sports architecture practices in the UK. With a number of awards, we have been formally recognised as a leading professional service in sport. We specialise in stadia, indoor arenas and training centres in the UK, Europe and around the world.
With over 100 members of staff in central London and Sevenoaks Kent, we have an established reputation for bespoke, high quality design, supported with technical excellence and backed by critical commercial judgement.
Our sports team leaders have over 28 years of experience in stadium design and are proud to have worked globally in this field. Key highlights are The Amex Community Stadium in Brighton, Main Stand Development at Anfield, London 2012 Basketball Arena, East Stand Development at Twickenham Stadium and the recently completed No.1 Court at Wimbledon.

6. Oakwell Sports Advisory

Oakwell Sports Advisory solves commercial challenges in sport by providing strategic advice to existing rights holders and investors We provide in depth industry research in 9 sports, financial modelling and analysis and general corporate finance advice including acquisition and sale advice.
Oakwell are CVC’s strategic, commercial and financial advisers in rugby Our challenges included bringing many different and fragmented stakeholders together, positioning the right aligned partner (CVC) in to rugby’s ownership ecosystem, and persuading rights holders/shareholders to see how rugby can be taken to the improved and next commercial with CVC.
Our solution to the PRL delivered over £12m of capital to each club to enable much needed infrastructure investment (stadium upgrades, broadband/wifi) to improve fan experience, and acted as a reset on all commercial options at the league and club levels In addition, our strategy with CVC will lead to potential further investment at Celtic club and Union levels that will allow rugby to grow, not to stagnate, improve its narrative to its audience and deliver further investment into academies, schools and youth to grow participation at all age levels and genders as well as accelerate Rugby’s maturity to becoming an improved and healthy commercial sport.

1. Arsenal Football Club

Arsenal acknowledges the need to action to reduce the environmental impact caused by its activities. From water to waste to energy, Arsenal have been actively working to be more efficient and create less negative impact.
By working with various club partners, including Octopus Energy and Camden Town Brewery, Arsenal have been able to use their expertise and to work together to take positive steps together. With Octopus, the club is now powered by 100% renewable energy and the re-usable cup project has seen 20,000 single use cups removed from the waste stream for every game at Emirates Stadium. A water recycling system at the training ground helps to save over 8,000,000 litres of water each year.
A 3Mw battery installed within the stadium is another first step towards great energy efficiency, along with continued investment in upgrading lighting to help reduce the peak demand of the stadium.
A comprehensive waste management programme has helped us to increase our recycling by hand sorting all matchday waste.

2. Formula E

Air pollution is the single largest environmental risk to health today. There are more toxic carbon dioxide particles in our atmosphere than at any other time in human history, causing more premature deaths across the world each year compared to smoking cigarettes. Electric mobility is one of the best ways to tackle this issue.
With sustainability deeply rooted in our DNA, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship aims to transfer technologies from racetrack to road, and inspire innovations for an electric, low carbon future.
We aim to break down the 3 barriers to the global uptake of electric vehicles:
1. Perception – proving electric cars are high-performing and efficient.
2. Technology – removing range anxiety and showcasing lifespan and longevity.
3. Infrastructure – increasing the number and speed of charging stations.
As a business with a higher purpose, we’re committed to doing better and preventing the causes of climate change.
In 2018, Formula E became the first motorsport championship to achieve third party ISO20121 certification. This helps us manage our events in a sustainable way, promoting social inclusivity, economic prosperity and environmental protection.

3. Helsinki International Horse Show – International Equestrian Federation (FEI)

The organisers of the Helsinki International Horse Show, which hosts the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier, are working hard to make the event the most ecological equestrian competition in the world. And they are doing so in a number of innovative ways, including the use of horse manure to generate all of the event’s electricity needs.
In 2015, the event became the first in the world to use electricity generated fully from horse manure. The 2019 edition saw over 100 tons of manure from 370 horses used to create over 150 megawatt hours of energy, which powered everything from the lights and scoreboards in the arena to cellphone charging stations. All the surplus energy generated was sent back into the national grid to help heat homes in the Finnish capital.
As the global governing body for equestrian sport, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is proud of all the excellent eco-friendly activities being undertaken around the world by our partners. We salute especially the organisers of the Helsinki International Horse Show for their unwavering commitment to the environment and for continually striving to find and incorporate innovative new solutions into their practices.

4. The Football Association

Wembley Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in the world attracting the biggest events in sport, music and entertainment and attracting than two million visitors per year.
As a result, Wembley plays a central role in The FA Group’s dedicated sustainability efforts, which are driven by FAST, The FA Group’s dedicated Sustainability Team comprising a group of passionate employees from across the business keen to continuously improve the way that we work.
From almost 28,000 tickets donated to the local community in the last year, to recycling 70% of all waste and reprocessing the remaining 30% to provide heat and hot water to 48,000 local homes, the organisation is dedicated to devising and implementing change, becoming an industry leader and inspiring the wider sports industry to rethink its approach.
A priority since its reopening in 2007, the stadium has focused its environmental and social activity over the last 12 months with the aim of achieving ISO20121 – the highest standard of sustainability recognised by the International Organisation for Standardization – which it duly achieved in August 2019, currently the only stadium in the UK to hold this certification.

5. SAILGP – Powered by NatureTM

SailGP – Powered by NatureTM has integrated sustainability into its operational heart delivering beyond best practice and a clear focus on winning the race to zero carbon. During Season 1, events continually delivered measurable improvements, including 80% carbon emission reduction in from temporary power, 75% reduction in food waste, food donation programme providing 2,559 meals to local non-profits in USA; 76,800 disposable tableware items avoided in Cowes and Marseille.
In June, SailGP signed the UN Sport for Climate Action Framework setting an ambitious goal of Net Zero carbon by 2025. We were the first league to achieve all participating teams signing this. We were instrumental in developing the World Sailing Special Event Charter becoming the first Special Event to commit and activate across the Charter.
In August we launched our community/youth programme “Inspire”, with 37 getting on the water and 27 work experience opportunities for young people.
Our innovation projects tackle the challenge of non-fossil fuelled support boats, Season 2 will see the announcement of three innovation partnerships around temporary power provision and end of life for our race boats. The Race boats are rebuilt America’s Cup boats utilising recycled carbon fibre in the production process reducing embodied carbon.

6. World Sailing

World Sailing is the international federation for all sailing disciplines, it has an ambitious, innovative sustainability strategy which is aligned to 12 of the UN SDGs. The strategy and work to date seeks to address sustainable development holistically across the sport in a number of areas.
World Sailing uses its sphere of influence utilising events, athletes, regulation and innovation to ensure the sport of sailing continually improves in all areas of sustainability.
The long term strategy with 56 varied targets with multiple milestones was unanimously supported by 145 sailing nations in May 2018.
In the two years since being agreed, World Sailing have formed multiple strategic partnerships with UN Agencies and NGOs and has taken a leading role in international sport to encourage, advise and mentor other sport federations in adopting sustainable practises.

1. Beyond Sports

Beyond Sports reveals the player’s perspective to the entire TV-watching audience. Football fans are put right into the action, meeting the needs of new generations for compelling sports content.
A Beyond Sports innovation, powered by Second Spectrum data. World’s first live VR analysis on Sky Sport’s Monday Night Football.
Using AI, fully animated 3D virtual simulations are constructed from Second Spectrum’s positional tracking data of premier league matches within 0.16 seconds.
Virtual cameras show any moment from any perspective, delivering unique insights impossible from traditional broadcasting cameras.
Wearing a VR headset, the analyst is transported into to eyes of the player on the field and composes his VR analysis live on television.
Whether it’s a magnificent tactical play or a doubtful decision by the referee, Monday Night Football shows it from the optimal perspective using Beyond Sport’s software.

2. Flamingo

Flamingo has been working with Formula 1 (F1) for over a year to help the team understand the most compelling aspects of its races, in order to grow its audience. As we knew from our previous work in pinpointing its specific appeal, F1 needed to modernise the sport and attract younger audiences, while maintaining its heritage and staying true to its core essence. In order to do that, it needed to know exactly what elements of its races fans were drawn to.
Flamingo was able to create a unique, data-led method of matching fan conversation to time stamps of races in order to accurately model real-time reactions to races.
We tested the data produced against two established methods: Galvanic Skin Response and dial-testing, as well as a control group of human observers. Not only did the four techniques agree, but the three other techniques relied on small numbers of people being tracked for reaction only. Our new platform not only boasted many thousands of individual commenters per race, but told us not just that they were engaged, but what they were engaged by, and why. This information has been used to optimise many elements of the F1 experience.

3. Formula 1 & Goodform

F1 Fan Voice has been run jointly by Formula 1 and Goodform since 2018, utilising Flex MR’s market research platform. It is a prime example of how existing technology has been adapted and used in an innovative way in order to deliver to a unique product for fans.
F1 Fan Voice provides Formula 1 with the single most important tool to achieve its the business objective of ‘putting fans at the heart of everything we do’.
It represents a move beyond using solely demographic and behavioural data, which remains common across sporting organisations, and instead places the same emphasis on attitudinal data and truly getting to know what fans think and feel.
For an investment the equivalent of 1 to 2 large research projects, it provides Formula 1 with a powerful, flexible dataset for insight into fan attitudes, with the ability to reach out to 100,000 Formula 1 fans in an instant to understand their views and reactions.
It delivers value across all departments of F1’s business, from sponsorships to motorsport, and has been a pivotal element in the success of many of F1’s key commercial revenue streams, including F1 TV.

4. Formula 1 & Meshh Sensor Technology

Historically, F1 had limited insight into how fans experienced their live events.
With Meshh’s innovative footfall analytics technology, they’re now able to objectively measure movement patterns across circuits, quantifying real world engagement in ways previously restricted to digital channels. This allows F1 to ensure that commercial revenue opportunities are being maximised across their 22 race weekends.
Utilising discreet, flexible, sensor-based collection methods allows F1 to measure transient spaces and temporary installations – including fan activations, merchandise, F&B and grandstands.
Supported by unprecedented levels of insight into visitor behaviour, F1 have refined their approach to race weekends including:
• Amending their retail strategy to support the F1 Megastore with satellite stands across circuits
• Changing locations of fan activations to maximize awareness and engagement
• Changing layout of food & drink/merchandise stands to ensure they are at busier entrance/exit gates
Meshh also supported the launch of F1’s Event App, improving information and wayfinding at races and increasing value for money perceptions.
Our research also revealed marked differences in crowd behaviour across different circuits, with implications for how 2020 events (particularly the newer races) are designed.

5. Formula 1 & Yonder

Formula 1 racing is a fast paced, intense and action packed sport. Broadcast coverage is core to the offer, reaching 470m fans in over 200 countries. It is vital that the coverage maximises fan experience by generating as much as excitement as possible.
In an effort to gauge this, Populus developed an innovative research methodology, using in home biometrics (measuring galvanic skin responses) to monitor how fans engaged with races being broadcast live on TV.
The data gathered over the course of the season helped to shine a light on elements of the broadcast that were most engaging, as well as periods in races that did not create an emotional response. This gave Formula 1 (F1) the data and insight they needed to develop elements of their broadcasting, including camera angles, replays, team radio and commentary.

6. PlayerMaker

PlayerMaker is a next-generation player development and coaching enhancement solution with an innovative footwear sensor that uniquely provides technical, tactical and physical performance insights. PlayerMaker uses machine learning algorithms to analyze both player and team performance, with results that are superior to anything else available. Our intuitive device monitors gait tracking and classifies each foot and ball interaction with every touch. Across our team of experts, PlayerMaker has invested over 4 years of data collection and development in order to create the perfect algorithms. The PlayerMaker device has been refined by collecting and training algorithms over 416,000 events, spanning more than 1 5 million running meters PlayerMaker’s physical parameters, like a player’s velocity profile, were proven to be very accurate We are working with football clubs and academies at all levels around the world with our investor being former Arsenal Manager, Arsène Wenger.

7. On The Ball Global

On The Ball Global is an innovative and one of its kind football training application that offers a subscription to access a content gallery of over 1500 drills with Premier League stars showcasing the exercises. The drills are presented to the user in a tailor session depending of their technical and fitness level and consist of seven steps that work in every aspect of the player development ( Warm up, Agility, Technique, Power Drills, Shooting, Strength and Conditioning & Warm Down). We also offer in the Gym training and Custom Sessions to maximise the athlete potential. The player is able to track their development (Skill, Speed & Strength) and see how they progress as they use the application and access their stats.
Our mission is to bring the opportunity gap in sport closer and that aspiring players can access world class training for less that $1 per day.
On The Ball Global also offers a gallery of motivational videos in how some of our Premier League & elite athletes achieved their goals and the challenges they faced.
We are the most downloaded ever football training app and continue growing as the most exciting online football fitness community.

8. PayPal UK and Cake

PayPal facilitates people’s passions. With quick and easy payments, it saves consumers time to focus on what’s important – e.g. football!
The Football Association (The FA) identified 40% of matchday fees went unpaid, meaning the grassroots game was missing out on millions. PayPal became The FA’s Official Payments Partner to enable players to pay fees via PayPal through The FA Matchday app, reducing admin and freeing up time, so grassroots teams can focus on their performance.

9. Red Light Rising

Red light Rising is proud to be the leading supplier of premium quality red and infrared light therapy devices, supplying top athletes in professional sports clubs all over the UK, Europe and the world. Many athletes, novice and professionals alike are reaping the benefits of red light therapy in their daily lives, their recovery and performance. With a very low barrier-to-entry red light therapy can be fully harnessed in as little as 20 minutes a day to provide an increase in recovery and performance

1. Big Stadium Hockey – England Hockey

Following the interest in hockey demonstrated at the London 2012 Olympics, and subsequent hosting of world event’s, England Hockey (EH) were keen to capitalise on this exposure, energy and excitement to revolutionise the way we bring world class hockey to our current audience and the wider British public.
The new international FIH Pro League provides the fixtures, but the schedule limits England Hockey’s ability to install significant additional seating at their usual venue. The only way to enable big stadium hockey was to utilise an existing fit for purpose stadium, and install our own pitch for the event.
In order to access a suitable rugby/football stadium during their season, England Hockey had to pioneer a game changing, reusable temporary pitch technology enabling an international standard playing surface to be installed and removed in the space of a few days, critically without damaging the surface underneath.
Partnering with Harlequins to host the final FIH Pro League fixtures at the Twickenham Stoop stadium, England Hockey welcomed a record attendance of 12,039 fan and ran 8 community events with 465 participants.
Hailed an amazing success, spectators relished in the atmosphere. Big Stadium Hockey is now available to be used in any stadium…globally.

2. Eleven Sports

Broadcaster ELEVEN SPORTS has created an all-new feature for its over the top (OTT) platform called Watch Together.
The tool enables ELEVEN subscribers to watch live sporting events in the same ‘virtual room’ together, allowing them to share all the excitement and emotions of a matchday. 
Fans can set-up private rooms for friends and family or public rooms that anyone can join (e.g ‘Messi Appreciation’ or ‘Sevilla Supporters’). Fans can also join ‘VIP’ rooms to enjoy matches alongside stars from sport and entertainment.
Watch Together was first launched in the UK and Ireland in December 2018 to enhance ELEVEN’s 2018/19 La Liga coverage. It was rolled out to fans in Portugal and Belgium later in 2018/19 and is now available in these markets for UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga and much more.  
Watch Together is an industry first. There was no equivalent or similar service on any sports OTT platform at the time of launch.

3. Extreme E

A first of its kind, Extreme E is a brand new sport, the first to be created in response to the global climate crisis.
This innovative new series will see electric SUVs compete in remote environments which have already been damaged or affected by climate issues. The aim is to use the power and influence of sport to highlight the impact of climate change and promote the adoption of electric vehicles to help protect the planet.
Race locations include Greenland, the Amazon, the Saudi Arabian Desert, the Nepalese Himalayas, and the coast of Senegal, where issues include deforestation, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, desertification, and more. The series will also work alongside leading scientists and local experts to implement positive legacy initiatives dependent on local needs.
A former Royal Mail cargo-passenger ship will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, reducing Extreme E’s carbon footprint as well as being used to facilitate scientific research through an on-board laboratory.

4. Pixellot AI-Automation – Pixellot

Pixellot offers automated sports production solutions that provide affordable alternatives to traditional video capture, production, and distribution systems for professional and semi-professional sports events. Founded in 2013, Pixellot’s AI technology solution streamlines production workflow by creating a stitched panoramic image of the entire playing surface. Advanced algorithms enable automated coverage of the flow of play, generate highlights and add graphics and ads. Pixellot systems are deployed by broadcasters, production companies, clubs, federations, universities, high schools, sports portals, and coaching solution providers around the globe.
5,000 Pixellot systems have been sold to production companies, sports portals, sports federations, leagues, clubs, venues and coaching solution providers around the world, including the US, China, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, France, UK, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, and other markets.
To date, Pixellot broadcast 2,168 live games in one day – 1,159 of them simultaneously! In January 2020, over 90,000 hours of sports were broadcast over Pixellot platforms!

5. PlayerMaker

PlayerMaker is a next-generation player development and coaching enhancement solution with an innovative footwear sensor that uniquely provides technical, tactical and physical performance insights. PlayerMaker uses machine learning algorithms to analyze both player and team performance, with results that are superior to anything else available. Our intuitive device monitors gait tracking and classifies each foot and ball interaction with every touch. Across our team of experts, PlayerMaker has invested over 4 years of data collection and development in order to create the perfect algorithms. The PlayerMaker device has been refined by collecting and training algorithms over 416,000 events, spanning more than 1 5 million running meters PlayerMaker’s physical parameters, like a player’s velocity profile, were proven to be very accurate We are working with football clubs and academies at all levels around the world with our investor being former Arsenal Manager, Arsène Wenger.

6. Prospect Digital & FAW Trust

The FAW Trust is charged with growing and sustaining the games needs many leaders, teachers and coaches. We continue to invest in our world-class national football coach education programme and engage our community of professional and volunteer coaches to grow the game and raise standards from grassroots to international football. We have invested in making our coach education training courses more accessible, more engaging and now with online modules reducing the time it takes to become a coach our coaches are more inspired. We engaged and collaborated with a digital education training specialist Prospect Digital to help us deliver to our customers, our coaches, a sustainable and positive impact in growing the game of football in Wales.
We saw the need to develop learning materials that met full learning objectives that could be accessed 24/7 anywhere in the world. Access to training & development, qualifications and ongoing CPD is an issue across the world.
We have now developed an innovative, bespoke and unique Coach Education Management System and delivery model that has transformed how FAW CoachEd delivers its core training. In fact, this innovation has ensured its sustainability, not only within FAW but across a range of Sports.

7. Premiership Rugby/Hawk-Eye Innovations

The introduction of real-time video technology has led to a 30% increase in players undergoing head injury assessments (HIAs) in Premiership Rugby. The Hawk-Eye system offers a world-leading solution in this space. The system has been described by clubs as ‘revelatory’, providing an ‘essential tool for in-play player safety’.
In recent years the increased focus on the issue of concussion in rugby union and the need for improved recognition systems has shone a light on the huge benefits the Hawk-Eye system delivers in providing cutting edge real-time concussion surveillance technology, demonstrated by the fact that it was selected by World Rugby as the official provider of video replay technology at both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups. Regarded by club medical teams as ‘priceless’, this initiative highlights Hawk-Eye and Premiership Rugby’s commitment to achieving the highest standard of player care in its fixtures.

8. The NFL Academy – NFL

In partnership Barnet & Southgate College, the NFL Academy launched in 2019. It is an innovative, global initiative with meaningful local UK relevance. The programme gives aspiring young American football players and outstanding athletes between the age of 16-19 the chance to develop their skills through elite coaching, life skills and character development sessions whilst studying courses of their choice. The NFL Academy is a life changing opportunity not only impacting the lives of the students but, reaching further afield through community programmes, social engagement, media outreach and partnership opportunities. It is an innovative programme aiming for 100% pathways for all students – not just to US colleges but further education and employment in the UK, whilst inspiring the next generation. The NFL Academy has already seen outstanding results through student engagement, fitness levels and overall attitude towards the programme from student-athletes, the community and media coverage. When asked ‘How would you describe the NFL Academy?’ a student answered, “An opportunity to better yourself and make something of your life”

1. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club v homophobia

Brighton & Hove Albion have set a new standard when it come to inclusion and tackling homophobia in sport.
The issue of homophobia resonates particularly powerfully in a city whose vibrant LGBT+ presence has meant fans of the Albion have faced years of homophobic taunting by rival supporters. Our active promotion of our inclusive values and zero-tolerance approach to homophobic abuse a the American Express Community Stadium illustrates our commitment to football being a sport for all.
The club are partners of Brighton Pride, Europe’s biggest Pride festival and over the past 12 months have run a host of initiatives to raise awareness and ensure we are seen as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
These initiatives include: Partners of Brighton pride; Founder members of City Angels; School visits by players to raise awareness of tackling homophobia; Gender identity cards given out to supporters; Zero tolerance to homophobic abuse at the Amex; Huge visual support of Premier League and Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

2. British Martial Arts & Boxing Association

The BMABA national Diversity & Equality campaign has taken radical steps to introduce the first universal standards for Diversity and Inclusion in the Martial Arts Industry. Through a range of training, campaigns, surveys, qualifications and policy, we have introduced a national programme aimed at tackling perceptions, better representing minorities and ensuring the Diversity and Equality of martial arts has been brought into the 21st century.

3. Everton Football Club

Everton is known as The People’s Club. Our motto is Nil Satis Nisi Optimum – nothing but the best is good enough – and we can only make this claim by recognising and embracing diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Our strategic vision for diversity and inclusion involves ‘being the best’ in: Business – An inclusive workplace culture; Environment – Accessible facilities for our fans, staff, community, participants and players; Club – An inclusive culture amongst fans; Team – Players who embrace equality and diversity. In 2018 we launched our All Together Now campaign, to celebrate diversity and increase awareness of everything done by the Club and our charity Everton in the Community to promote equality. The campaign and tagline ‘a football family for everyone’ is front and centre of Everton’s brand presence online and on matchdays, placing equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do. We empower and equip our staff and fans to promote diversity, whether that is through matchday activity that captures international attention, or generating ideas in the workplace to make positive change. In February 2020 we achieved the Advanced Level of the Premier League Equality Standard (PLES).

4. Leicester City Football Club

With the aim of creating an inclusive culture in football, Leicester City Football Club has created and implemented it’s own equality strategy, aligned to the Clubs vision to achieve ‘equality of opportunity for all, celebrating and supporting our diversity through an inclusive and positive environment’. Our targets were to significantly improve the participation in equality data audits, increase the diversity of staff and supporters in underrepresented areas, lay a foundation of knowledge across the Club, create tailored initiatives and to use LCFC as a platform for a strong message of equality and inclusion in the local community. We faced a big challenge due to the historic culture of football, traditionally a male-dominated, perceived discriminatory environment, which is hard to overcome as it is often reinforced through language heard on matchdays and reported in the media. However through a combination of strategic and inclusive leadership, data audits, embedding equality into Club policies and processes, widely communicating our work internally and externally and putting into place training, awareness and tailored initiatives, across staff, players, supporters and in the community, we have been able to build the inclusive and supportive environment we set out to achieve.

5. Project Rugby – Premiership Rugby

Project Rugby has so far reached 45,000 young people, increasing participation in the game by people aged 14-24 from non-traditional audiences:
• People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
• Disabled people
• People from Lower Socio-Economic groups (LSEGs).
The programme engages thousands of participants per year and is delivered by community staff from Premiership Rugby’s clubs across England, providing accessible opportunities for people to participate in the game at a time and place that can be easily accessed by target audiences. The programme also aims to support transition into local grassroots clubs, enhance wellbeing, reduce social isolation, increase social connectedness and challenge traditional perceptions of the game, positioning rugby as a sport for anyone regardless of background, ability or gender.

6. Rangers Charity Foundation

The Rangers Charity Foundation exists to be a force for good on behalf of the Rangers Family, showing compassion to those in need, tackling inequalities and creating opportunities for people of all ages to change their lives for the better.
Working across six key pillars Education, Employability, Health and Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion, Our Local Community and Champions for Charity, the Foundation reaches thousands of people both locally and around the world each season.
Under its Diversity and Inclusion pillar, the Foundation proudly delivers a range of community engagement projects which not only focus on education, but help children of all background access football. Projects include interactive anti-sectarianism and LGBT+ awareness sessions with students, autism friendly football and visually impaired football for youngsters who struggle to access mainstream sessions, as well as work with Show Racism the Red Card.
The Foundation also proactively supports Rangers Football Club with its diversity and inclusion strategy; helping to launch its first LGBT+ Supporters Club, engaging ethnic minorities and playing an integral role in the ‘Everyone Anyone’ initiative.

7. The 2019 Solheim Cup – VisitScotland/EventScotland

The 2019 Solheim Cup was Scotland’s opportunity break the mould with a golf event. The result redefined expectations of a women’s golf event on and off the course. Remembered as one of the most dramatic conclusions in sporting history with Suzann Pettersen’s remarkable closing putt, outside the ropes it provided a global platform for women’s sport and broke new accessibility and diversity ground for a golf event. It attracted the biggest-ever UK crowd for women’s golf of more than 90,000 with women accounting for 59% of attendees. More than 6,000 children were admitted free of charge while another 8,144 concession tickets were sold and 88% of those attending with children described it as “family friendly”. The event’s accessibility and inclusion programme was praised with 86% of attendees agreeing it was accessible to all while Euan MacDonald, co-founder of Euan’s Guide, attended in person and blogged about his positive experience. Gender diversity success was mirrored in the volunteering programme with women accounting for 61% of the 1,020 volunteers while a strong legacy is left behind in the 150 female golfing ambassadors in golf clubs across the country.

8. Ready Steady Active

“What family would want a daughter-in-law that can run around kicking a football all day but can’t make round chapatis?”
This quote from the 2002 film, Bend It Like Beckham tugged firmly on the heartstrings of families within communities throughout the UK and sparked household conversations about women’s expectations of becoming conventional housewives and not pursuing aspirations of playing team sports – and not just in South Asian families.
Nominated by Rounders England, Ready Steady Active (RSA) is an enterprise that was founded by Rashida Salloo in 2015 to address the issues and barriers that she faced playing sports while coming from a cultural background which made it difficult to participate. The initiative aims to provide sports and physical opportunities, for which rounders is a key component. RSA provides access to rounders regardless of background, ability, religion, age, culture or experience by making sessions and activities easy for people to access, removing as many barriers as possible and ensuring people feel comfortable and at ease.
It uses sport as a medium for creating social inclusion.

1. Big Stadium Hockey – England Hockey

In 2019, England Hockey’s ambition was to capitalise on the legacy created by the record breaking Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup, maximising spectator demand for world class Hockey and replicating the atmosphere created by 10,000 cheering fans.
The new international FIH Pro League provides the fixtures, but the schedule limits England Hockey’s ability to install significant additional seating at their usual venue. The only way to enable big stadium hockey was to utilise an existing fit for purpose stadium, and install our own pitch for the event.
Temporary surfaces aren’t new, however, in order to access a suitable rugby/football stadium during their season, England Hockey had to pioneer a game changing, reusable technology enabling an international standard playing surface to be installed and removed in the space of a few days, critically without damaging the surface underneath.
Partnering with Harlequins to host the final FIH Pro League fixtures at the Twickenham Stoop stadium, England Hockey welcomed a record attendance of 12,039 fans. Hailed, an amazing success, athletes were buzzing about playing in front of such a huge home crowd and spectators relished in the spectacle. Big Stadium Hockey is now available to be used in any stadium…globally.

2. ITTF Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships – International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Foundation

In October 2019, the world saw the first ever World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships in Pleasantville, New York. This eagerly anticipated and historic event went on for three days, where different kind of people with Parkinson’s Disease demonstrated how beneficial table tennis is for reducing the symptoms of this disease. This unique event needed a special classification of players, where each participant received a class according to the severity of their Parkinson’s symptoms. Class 1 was categorized as the most severe and Class 3 less severe. From North America to Japan players did not only join to meet each other, train together and learn about their Parkinson’s fight, but they came to witness and be a part of history! The event showed an amazing spirit among the players, because it was more than just a competition with strong will, resilience and passion. The hugs, smiles, music playing, high fives and sweat showed that it was community at its best. Thus, they went home with a big portion of unified hope and supporters sharing to better promote the effects of table tennis on people with Parkinson’s. Because of this huge success, the ITTF Foundation decided to make it a yearly event

3. Project Rugby – Premiership Rugby

Project Rugby has so far reached 45,000 young people, increasing participation in the game by people aged 14-24 from non-traditional audiences:
• People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
• Disabled people
• People from Lower Socio-Economic groups (LSEGs).
The programme engages thousands of participants per year and is delivered by community staff from Premiership Rugby’s clubs across England, providing accessible opportunities for people to participate in the game at a time and place that can be easily accessed by target audiences. The programme also aims to support transition into local grassroots clubs, enhance wellbeing, reduce social isolation, increase social connectedness and challenge traditional perceptions of the game, positioning rugby as a sport for anyone regardless of background, ability or gender.

4. Swim England – Disney Inspired Family Fun Swim Sessions

Swim England and Disney launched an exciting partnership in a bid to inspire families to keep healthy and active through swimming as a year-round activity.
The sessions use Disney story-telling and activities themed around Disney’s much-loved characters to tap into youngsters’ active imaginations and thereby help naturally develop an essential life skill.
Trained activators deliver the sessions which have been specially developed to feature Swim England core aquatic skills whilst creating the perfect family activity that gets kids and adults alike, active in the pool.
The initiative complements Swim England’s vision of a nation swimming and Disney Healthy Living’s wider ambition to use the power of its characters and storytelling to inspire families to get active.

5. The Football Association

Wembley Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in the world attracting the biggest events in sport, music and entertainment and attracting than two million visitors per year.
As a result, Wembley plays a central role in The FA Group’s dedicated sustainability efforts, which are driven by FAST, The FA Group’s dedicated Sustainability Team comprising a group of passionate employees from across the business keen to continuously improve the way that we work.
From almost 28,000 tickets donated to the local community in the last year, to recycling 70% of all waste and reprocessing the remaining 30% to provide heat and hot water to 48,000 local homes, the organisation is dedicated to devising and implementing change, becoming an industry leader and inspiring the wider sports industry to rethink its approach.
A priority since its reopening in 2007, the stadium has focused its environmental and social activity over the last 12 months with the aim of achieving ISO20121 – the highest standard of sustainability recognised by the International Organisation for Standardization – which it duly achieved in August 2019, currently the only stadium in the UK to hold this certification.

6. World Sailing

World Sailing is the international federation for all sailing disciplines, it has an ambitious, innovative sustainability strategy which is aligned to 12 of the UN SDGs. The strategy and work to date seeks to address sustainable development holistically across the sport in a number of areas.
World Sailing uses its sphere of influence utilising events, athletes, regulation and innovation to ensure the sport of sailing continually improves in all areas of sustainability.
The long term strategy with 56 varied targets with multiple milestones was unanimously supported by 145 sailing nations in May 2018.
In the two years since being agreed, World Sailing have formed multiple strategic partnerships with UN Agencies and NGOs and has taken a leading role in international sport to encourage, advise and mentor other sport federations in adopting sustainable practises.