April 6

17:00  A final word from the Coalition's Executive Director who thanks our funders Sport England, Comic Relief and Laureus Sport for Good for their ongoing support. See you next year for #IDSDP2024!

16:31  Thanks to everyone who has supported the first anniversary of #OpenGoal on International Day of Sport for Development & Peace. Your support is hugely appreciated as we aim to build advocacy and investment for the sport for development sector! 

15:41   Great words from Peace Players Northern Ireland in support of #OpenGoal: “We're working to create safe and supportive environments where all young people can participate in sport and build the skills and confidence they need to success on and off the court. We believe that sport has a power to break down barriers and bring people together, and we're committed to using it as a tool for social change. Together we can build a more peaceful and inclusive world through sport."

15:03  “It’s been an amazing year for the Coalition with growing recognition of the value of investing in sport-based projects which can prove how they can help to solve some of society’s most pressing pressing problems” - read how a group of sports stars have urged policy-makers not to miss the ‘open goal’ presented by the growing UK-wide movement of charities using sport to tackle some of society’s most pressing problems. More here.

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14:34  Watch video from Active Dorset showcasing new wheelchair basketball club Dorset Demons and how it has helped to improve the mental and physical health of disabled people across the county. Thanks for sharing and supporting #OpenGoal! 

14:15  Read about the amazing impact of Coalition member Lord's Taverners, supporting multiple areas of the #OpenGoal framework. 

13:42  "If you work hard, you can achieve your goals and change the direction of your life even if you have been excluded from school." Read this impactful blog written by Dallaglio RugbyWorks coach Ryan Davies in support of the #OpenGoal framework. More here.

12:56  This week British Gymnastics and the British Gymnastics Foundation became the latest governing body to join the Sport for Development Coalition. Oscar Crossan Jory speaks to some of their member clubs who are working in local communities to support the #OpenGoal framework through the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) Active programme. Read more.

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12:27  "With young people today facing a 'perfect storm' - crisis after crisis, our work has never been more important. Recent reports show more than half of young people believe the cost-of-living crisis will have a worse impact of their life than the pandemic."

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Read this powerful article from Dame Kelly Holmes Trust which demonstrates how the national charity is supporting each area of the #OpenGoal framework.

report 112:05  Fancy some light reading over lunch? This week the Coalition published its first #OpenGoal annual report. The annual report looks back at the publication of the Coalition's first research report and policy brief 'Moving for Mental Health', and at the second 'Active for Employment', while providing an overview of the recent Youth Justice Sport Fund, led by StreetGames and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice. Active Humber CEO David Gent also explains the vital role of sport for development in tackling climate change. Read it here.

 

11:56  Another Coalition member Support Through Sport is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Nottinghamshire. In this article Oscar Crossan Jory speaks to its founder Tranai Todd on how it has been funded by the Youth Justice Sport Fund from the Ministry of Justice and support the 'Reducing crime & anti-social behaviour' area of the #OpenGoal framework. Read more.

11:41  Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin is one of the 43 Active Partnerships across England. Check out this insightful video shows how the Tackling Inequalities Fund from Sport England (one of the Coalition's three fund partners) has been crucial for the survival and sustainability of local sports clubs based in communities across the region. This has enabled them to support the #OpenGoal framework across multiple areas.

11:16  The Coalition recently welcomed The Richmond Group of Charities to its network. Find out more about the Group here, and the important work they are doing through sport and physical activity to support the 'Improved health & wellbeing' area of the #OpenGoal framework. 

10:31  Powerful words from StreetGames CEO Mark Lawrie in support of the 'Reducing crime & anti-social behaviour' area of the #OpenGoal framework: “Our research shows that for young people at risk of becoming involved in crime, effectively delivered Doorstep Sport can have a transformational impact on their lives – developing skills, connecting them with diverse, trusted role models, and providing a safe space and sense of belonging. Ongoing engagement in sport and volunteering can support young people onto positive pathways and help to keep them and their communities safe.” Read more here.

10:10  Check out this brilliant Boccia England video showing how the sport is contributing to the 'Improved health & wellbeing' area of the #OpenGoal framework.

 

09:51  Some brilliant comments from Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty in this article from Coalition member network Sported, in support of #OpenGoal. “Sport offers so much. As soon as you take that sport and that investment in sport away, you’re going to be paying that in other ways: people’s health, the NHS, people’s mental health. So you might as well make the investment now.” We agree Adam! Read more from Sported.

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April 6

08:47 Good morning! Welcome to the Coalition's live blog on International Day of Sport for Development & Peace [#IDSDP2023]. Throughout the day, Coalition members will be showcasing how they are collectively contributing to the #OpenGoal Shared Advocacy Framework, which they have co-designed and aims to increase awareness, advocacy and investment for the sport for development sector. Oscar Crossan Jory and Simon Lansley, from the Coalition team, will be sharing some of the best links and content on this page.

You can also follow @SFDCoalition or @OpenGoalUK on Twitter to find out more, or email [email protected]

April 4

14:13 As part of preparations for April 6th, the Coalition team attended the 7th Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development in London. Two teams argued for and against the motion 'A compassionate sports sector should enable the charge for a healthy mind, body and planet', with the 'for' team emerging victorious.

 

April 3

13:13 Great news in the build-up to #IDSDP2023 when British Gymnastics announced it was to become the latest UK sports governing body to join the Coalition. It follows the publication last month of the new ‘Leap Without Limits’ strategy. Andy Dodd, Communications & Engagement Director, explained: "Our sport has a real opportunity to change lives, enrich and connect communities... joining the Sport for Development Coalition is very much a reflection of that." Read more.

Related news: Spring in their step: British Gymnastics supports Holiday Activities and Food programme

March 30

19:00 The Active Partnerships network is a key member of the Sport for Development Coalition. It comprises 43 Active Partnerships across England and Nicki Couzens, who leads on relationship management, is co-chair for the Coalition's Public Affairs & Advocacy Working Group. Read this fantastic article on how Active Partnerships are supporting the positive social outcomes highlighted by the #OpenGoal framework. Read more.

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March 29

10:14 We're very grateful for the support of many Coalition members and partners in spreading the message around #OpenGoal in the lead up to #IDSDP2023. In no particular, thanks to our friends at Beyond Sport, Activity Alliance, Sport & Recreation Alliance, London Sport, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Sported, UK Coaching, London Youth Games and Active Partnerships. All of these organisations share a common purpose in using sport and physical activity to build a fairer, more equitable and sustainable future - we are definitely stronger together!

 

March 28

13:26 The Coalition has received some brilliant support for its #OpenGoal framework in the weeks leading up to April 6th. Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, the former England rugby union captain and founder of Coalition member Dallaglio RugbyWorks, helped to launch the #OpenGoal framework in 2022. He said: “It’s been an amazing year for the Coalition with growing recognition of the value of investing in sport-based projects which can prove how they can help to solve some of society’s most pressing pressing problems.” Read more.

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March 24

18:18 Access Sport’s work aligns with multiple areas of the Sport for Development Coalition’s #OpenGoal framework. To mark the UN’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace day on April 6th, the charity will highlight how and why it is contributing to the 'Stronger communities and social cohesion' area of the framework, and is seeking a research partner to support this process. Find out more.

Stay tuned to this page for regular updates on and around April 6th...

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Tell us how your organisation is supporting #OpenGoal....

  • Tag @OpenGoalUK on Twitter or email [email protected]
  • Access promotional guidelines including social media assets here
  • During the day, we'll share as many as we can!