Beyond Sport and New Balance Foundation are proud to introduce the newest grantees of our Futures in Motion program, Polish nonprofits Fundacja Swim For a Dream (Swim for a Dream) and Stowarzyszenie Dzieciom i Młodzieży WĘDKA im. każdego Człowieka (WĘDKA Association). Over the next three years, both will receive funding and targeted support to strengthen their organizational sustainability and programs advancing youth wellbeing, education, employability and inclusion through sport and physical activity.

Young people in Poland have some of the lowest physical activity levels in Europe, resulting in growing health problems; poor mental health is also of great concern. Meanwhile, safe, inclusive recreational facilities and programs are inaccessible for many groups – especially young women and girls, people with disabilities, refugees, low-income households and those in rural and small towns. Both nonprofits are addressing this head on.

“At a time of great uncertainty and instability for many young people in Poland, WĘDKA and Swim for a Dream are helping strengthen resilience and self-esteem. The valuable life skills youth are developing will increase their confidence and ability to create their own pathways in life. We’re proud to have Futures in Motion be a part of that journey,” said Fred Fikouhi-Turner, Executive Director of Beyond Sport.

Launched in early 2025, this Positive Youth Development (PYD) program was both developed and operates in close collaboration with in-country consultants, advisory groups and subject matter experts to ensure both cultural and local relevancy. Four additional program locations will be announced through 2027.

“As part of our strategic plan to increase our giving outside the United States year over year, we are excited to tackle some of the complex issues surrounding positive youth development in these countries, as well as help scale the NGOs that are making a difference for young people. We look forward to seeing the positive impact we can make together,” said Megan Bloch, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at New Balance Foundation.

Learn More About the Projects

SWIM FOR A DREAM

Providing marginalized youth with access to regular physical activity and development opportunities

Fundacja Swim For a Dream has been promoting youth development and equity in Poland’s Łódź region since 2013. They primarily use swimming to advance physical and mental health, with a focus on social integration and inclusion.

This grant will support expansion of their “Move in the Right Direction” project which seeks to increase access to regular physical activity for children and young people in orphanages, foster care and refugee communities, as well as for youth with disabilities. The project provides free, weekly swimming and gym classes, functional motor skills training, personal development workshops, internships and work placements in sports-related companies. Futures in Motion funding will also facilitate the development of an online training course for coaches on child safeguarding and working with young people with special needs.

“Being selected for Futures in Motion feels both like a reward and an opportunity; a reward for the 12 years we have been working on changing the small piece of world around us. Even when it was tough, when nobody cared and we didn’t have anything apart from the willingness and energy to make a difference in other people’s lives,” shares CEO Adam Jerzykowski.

“On the other hand, it feels like an amazing opportunity to reach another level as an organization and to touch even more lives with our work. We are extremely grateful for the trust and the chance that was given to us. Our fire and energy remain strong… Together we will do amazing things!”

WĘDKA ASSOCIATION

Offering safe, inclusive sport activities and educational programming for vulnerable youth

WĘDKA Association provides regular football training and empowerment programs in communities across Toruń with limited access to organized sport. Since 2011, they have been increasing youth physical activity levels with a special focus on girls, disadvantaged youth, migrants and young people at risk of social exclusion. The nonprofit’s work is an integral part of the region’s sport ecosystem which has a city-wide Strategia Rozwoju Miasta Torunia initiative to make sports accessible to all.

This grant will help them strengthen and grow their “Football for Everyone” project delivered in collaboration with the One Passion One Love Association. The project combines free, inclusive sports activities with educational programming to nurture healthy habits, social emotional skills and strengthen relationships for 8-26-year-olds. Funding will also support monthly social football tournaments and facilitate a Junior Coach program, as well as a Youth Council that engages older participants as mentors and leaders.

“[This] is more than just an honor for us – it signals that the quiet work we’ve been doing for years in Toruń’s housing estates truly makes sense. Behind every ball thrown onto a field, there are real children, their stories, emotions and a need to be noticed. Thanks to this support, we can develop “Football for Everyone” in a sustainability responsible way – looking after not only the sport itself, but above all, the relationships, the sense of security and the presence of adults whom young people can rely on,” says Project Implementation Partner, Piotr Piasta.

“For many participants, our program is the only place where someone knows them by name, waits for them and believes in their potential. Futures in Motion gives us the opportunity to think long-term – about young people not just as participants in training, but as future leaders who will, over time, support others and change their communities from within.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRANTEES!

Following Australia and Japan, Poland is the third program location for Futures in Motion created to invest in brighter futures and resilient communities through sport. The initiative supports organizations championing youth who are typically excluded from sport and the invaluable health and development opportunities that come with it.

 

As many countries mark Women’s History Month in March and with International Women’s Day approaching, it feels like a fitting moment to reflect on the women shaping sport today and throughout history.

To celebrate, we’ve curated a mix of viewing, listening and reading recommendations spotlighting athletes, leaders and storytellers who continue to expand what sport can look like and who it can serve.

Click on the links to see what’s currently on our radar:

🎬 Watch

Something to make you cry… in a good way

Rebecca Lowe × Alysa Liu interview (NBC Olympics)*

Following her appearance at the recent Olympic Games, U.S. Olympic figure skater and medalist Alysa Liu sits down with Rebecca Lowe for a beautifully honest exchange on performance, pressure and perspective. Her reminder that mistakes are beautiful makes this short interview linger long after it ends.

* Unfortunately, we could only find the transcript of this beautiful moment!  In the USA, you may be able to check NBC Olympics replays on Peacock – for all our global audience, enjoy the read!

A swim that changed history

Young Woman and the Sea (Official Trailer)

Telling the story of Trudy Ederle — Olympic champion, world record holder and the first woman to swim the English Channel — this film captures the persistence required to challenge gender norms and expand what felt possible.

Sport as survival

The Swimmers (Official Trailer)

The film follows sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini as they embark on a dangerous journey from war-torn Syria to Rio de Janeiro, where Yusra ultimately competes at the 2016 Olympic Games. It is a powerful story of displacement, resilience and the role sport can play in navigating life’s most uncertain moments.

Proof that goals never expire

Nyad (Official Trailer)

This biographical drama follows endurance swimmer Diana Nyad and her decades-long pursuit of completing the Cuba-to-Florida crossing, offering a moving portrait of perseverance, aging and the power of commitment.

🎧 Listen

Women driving change across sport

The Game Changers Podcast (Sue Anstiss)

A thoughtful series spotlighting women shaping sport at every level, from elite athletes to industry leaders, blending personal journeys with broader conversations around equity and progress.

Athlete conversations beyond competition

The RE—CAP SHOW (Tobin Heath & Christen Press)

Hosted by two elite USWNT footballers and founders, this podcast moves fluidly between sport, identity, creativity and life beyond performance, offering a refreshingly reflective athlete perspective.

A conversation worth cueing up

Good Game with Sarah Spain (Elena Meyers Taylor episode)

Olympic bobsledder and repeat medalist Elena Meyers Taylor joins broadcaster Sarah Spain to reflect on motherhood, elite sport and redefining success, in a conversation that resonates far beyond winter sport.

📚 Read

A rethink on winning

The Long Win — Cath Bishop

Written by Olympic rower, world champion and leadership consultant Cath Bishop, this book offers a fascinating examination of society’s obsession with winning. Drawing on her experience in high-performance sport and beyond, Bishop explores how definitions of success shape culture across sport, business, politics and education.

Finding strength in vulnerability

How Not to Be Strong — Alex Scott

Former England international footballer and broadcaster Alex Scott traces her journey through football, media and identity, sharing an honest reflection on adversity, resilience and representation.

A story that demands reflection

The Race to Be Myself — Caster Semenya

In this memoir, two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya shares a deeply personal account of navigating elite sport, identity and human rights debates, offering readers an intimate perspective on belonging in sport.

Football, resistance and leadership

My Beautiful Sisters — Khalida Popal

Afghanistan women’s national team co-captain and Girl Power Organisation founder Khalida Popal recounts her journey building the national team and advocating for women’s rights, sharing a powerful story of leadership, courage and football as a vehicle for change.

Leadership lessons from the sidelines

Uncommon Favor — Dawn Staley

Olympic gold medalist, WNBA legend and championship-winning coach Dawn Staley reflects on her journey from North Philadelphia playgrounds to the pinnacle of basketball, offering lessons on leadership, resilience and navigating inequality in sport.

📖 For younger readers (and the young at heart)

Stories that spark early inspiration

Little People, BIG DREAMS — Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara

A beautifully illustrated series introducing children to inspiring women, including sporting icons like Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe, through accessible storytelling that plants early seeds of possibility.

Across formats, generations, and geographies, these recommendations reflect the many ways women continue to shape sport — as athletes, leaders, storytellers and changemakers.

Have something we should be checking out? Let us know on social media. We’re always looking for the next great recommendation!

How AKHIN Street Football for Agripreneur is challenging stigma, creating livelihoods and redefining what justice looks like for young people navigating life on the street

On a dusty football pitch in Ibadan, Nigeria, the scene looks familiar. Young people move quickly, calling for passes and celebrating goals. But for participants of AKHIN Street Football for Agripreneur, stepping onto the field represents far more than play. It is a first step toward dignity, belonging and opportunity in a society where many have long been excluded.

Marked annually on February 20, the International Day of Social Justice highlights the systems and structures that shape inequality worldwide. While global conversations often focus on policy and institutions, AKHIN’s work offers a grounded reminder that social justice is also built in community spaces. It takes shape on streets, fields and farms where young people begin to reimagine what their futures can hold.

Across Nigeria, thousands of street-connected youth — young people who spend significant parts of their lives navigating street environments without stable support — face daily stigmatization, insecurity and limited access to education, employment and protection. For many, these barriers are reinforced not only by economic hardship but by perception. Labels follow them into classrooms, workplaces and public spaces, shaping how opportunity is distributed.

AKHIN, a Collective365 grantee of the Olympism365 Innovation Hub – a collaboration between the IOC, Beyond Sport and Women Win – is responding with a model that combines street football with agricultural training and entrepreneurship development. The project is bolstered by a collaboration with Zigstar Fresh Farms. AKHIN Founder Israel Balogun describes the approach as a response to interconnected challenges affecting both participants and the wider community: stigma towards young people navigating street environments, declining interest in agriculture among youth and growing unemployment.

Football serves as the bridge. It fosters trust and establishes routines grounded in teamwork and accountability. From there, participants transition into structured learning around agriculture and enterprise, developing skills that support both personal independence and local food systems.

Partnerships have also helped deepen this approach. Through the learnings gained from their collaboration with Zigstar, AKHIN has strengthened its agribusiness systems, creating additional learning opportunities that support participants as they move toward sustainable livelihoods.

At the social enterprise, participants are known simply as “AKHIN,” a term in Yoruba that reflects resilience, courage, fearlessness and independence. The name signifies a shift in perspective. Participants are not defined by the circumstances that brought them to the street, but by the strengths they carry and the futures they are working toward.

The organization’s approach extends beyond programming to the environment. They provide alternative, inclusive residential spaces where young people can access rehabilitation services, explore their interests and talents, reconnect with education or vocational pathways and gradually adapt to life within a supportive community. Within these spaces, daily rhythms begin to take shape. Football sessions, skills development and agricultural work create structure, while moments of reflection replace the instability of street life with possibility.

For many participants, football remains the critical entry point. Having experienced rejection from schools, families and institutions, their trust does not come easily. Football, however, offers a familiar and non-threatening space where relationships can begin.

The impact of that engagement becomes visible in subtle but powerful ways. When young people first arrive, many carry the weight of stigma. Some avoid eye contact. Others isolate themselves or express distrust. Over time, participating in football begins to reshape those dynamics.

Balogun has witnessed how the field can transform identity in real time.

“The moment they step onto the field, something changes. They are no longer ‘street children,’ they are teammates. They are players. They are valued,” he reflected. “In that moment, stigma fades. Confidence rises. Belonging replaces isolation.”

While these moments of inclusion are significant, the challenges facing participants extend well beyond individual confidence. Across institutions intended to support young people — schools, employers and community groups — stigma often limits access to opportunity and reinforces cycles of exclusion.

This reality was captured in a moment that deeply resonated with the AKHIN team when participant, “Moses Han,” shared:

“I am resilient. I am fearless. But I lack the opportunity and platform to express my potential.”

For Balogun, the statement crystallized a recurring pattern. Young people possess capability and determination, yet remain constrained by systems and perceptions that restrict access.

We’re pleased to welcome two new Program Assistants, Saaed Khan and Habigaelle Dorvil, to Beyond Sport this month via college work-study programs. Both students have an interest in social impact and joined our team in New York to learn more about working in that space. We asked them a few quick questions to learn more about their backgrounds, interests and what they’re excited to explore during their time with the team. 

Tell us a little about yourself — what are you studying and where are you based right now? 

Saeed: I currently attend LaGuardia Community College, where I’m studying New Media Technology. I live in Queens, New York, though I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan before moving to Queens in 2021. I’m passionate about digital media, storytelling and how communication can create meaningful impact in communities. 

Habigaelle: I attend Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York City and I’m currently majoring in sociology. I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York. 

What interested you in joining Beyond Sport, and what are you most excited about? 

S: I was interested in Beyond Sport because of its focus on using sport as a tool for social change. I’m excited to learn more about program coordination, community engagement and how global initiatives are structured to create measurable impact. I’m especially looking forward to gaining hands-on experience within a mission-driven organization. 

H: I already had prior experience as a basketball player and volleyball coach. But I wanted to expand my knowledge and learn more about what goes into making organizations work and funding. And given my current major this helps tie into social issues that we are currently facing. 

What are you hoping to learn or experience during your time with us? 

S: I strongly believe sport plays an important role in supporting both physical and mental health. At a time when many young people face increased screen time, social isolation and mental health challenges, sport can offer structure, connection and a positive outlet. Through participation and community, sport can help improve wellbeing, build confidence and encourage healthier, more active lifestyles. 

H: I’m looking forward to gaining a better understanding of how programs operate behind the scenes and how organizations create opportunities and support communities through their work. 

Is there a class, topic or issue you’re currently exploring that you’re especially passionate about? 

S: Right now, I’m particularly interested in digital communications strategies and how media can influence public awareness and social movements. I enjoy exploring how branding, storytelling and technology intersect. 

H: Yes, one issue I’m currently exploring is immigration. This is not an easy issue to explore especially given the current state of which our government is in. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? 

S: Outside of school and work, I enjoy working on digital media projects, learning new software tools and exploring marketing. I also enjoy street photography, which has become a hobby of mine. 

H: I like to explore and try new things, especially a restaurant. I also like to journal and read books. 

What inspires or energizes you? 

S: I feel inspired by communities that use creativity and innovation to drive positive change. Whether through media, sport or technology, I enjoy being part of environments that focus on growth, collaboration and impact. 

H: Yes, I do a lot of mentoring and coaching for a group of girls from underprivileged communities. 

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you? 

S: I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself, whether that’s learning technical skills or stepping outside my comfort zone professionally. Right now, I’m developing a game using Unreal Engine and teaching myself how to build a website through Visual Studio by following online tutorials. 

H: I can speak multiple languages. I’m fluent in French, Creole and semi-fluent in Arabic – and currently learning Mandarin! 

 

 

Under Armour Announces $1 Millon Grant to Support Girls Flag Football

Under Armour and The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation Commit to Advancing Girls Flag Football with Click Clack: Next Era Grant delivered by Beyond Sport

BALTIMORE, MD – FEBRUARY 3, 2026 – Under Armour and The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation today announced a collective $1 million commitment to Click Clack: Next Era Grant, a new girls flag football grant which will be delivered by Beyond Sport. The grant takes a powerful step forward to remove barriers and open doors to the sport by providing critical financial resources, top-tier equipment and apparel, and access to high-quality coach education through Positive Coaching Alliance. Together, these partners are investing not only in the game, but in the environments, mentors, and systems that allow girls to thrive.

“Expanding access to sport is core to who Under Armour is as a brand. Click Clack: Next Era Grant reflects our belief in the power of women’s and girls’ sports and our commitment to creating safe, welcoming environments where young athletes feel they belong,” said Flynn Burch, Under Armour Director of Global Community Impact & UA Next. “By removing barriers, we’re helping more girls compete, build community and grow their confidence.”

Girls flag football is a rapidly growing movement that’s reshaping what opportunities in sports look like for the next generation of athletes. Across the United States, girls are stepping onto fields and discovering their voices, while building both confidence and communities through the fast, inclusive and empowering nature of the sport.

“Flag football offers kids a chance to discover sport or stay engaged as they grow. Our support of this program helps make sure more young athletes have the opportunity to play, connect with teammates, and build confidence through sport,” said Rick Jordan, Vice President of The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation.

The Click Clack: Next Era Grant aims to grow flag football at multiple levels beyond the field of competition. By supporting out-of-school-time organizations, this grant expands access to safe, structured play in communities where opportunities may be limited. This commitment also assists state associations and school districts in moving the needle towards sanctioning girls flag football as an official high school sport, creating legitimacy, sustainability and equity at the highest levels of participation.

In support of the grant, Under Armour and USA Football will host a girls flag football clinic on Thursday, February 5 at 2:15 PM ET at the Moscone Center as part of the National Football League’s Super Bowl LX Fan Experience. Project Rampart, an initiative by Under Armour to elevate the student-athlete experience and improve academic outcomes through the power of sport, will host 80 young girls who are a part of the Oakland Unified School District to participate in the clinic. As part of their attendance, students will be gifted head-to-toe apparel and will attend both the clinic and the USA vs. Mexico Flag Football Game taking place later that afternoon at Super Bowl Experience.

Focused on helping girls build confidence, develop leadership skills and unlock opportunities on and off the field, Under Armour, its partners and the Click Clack: Next Era Grant will help young athletes reach their greatest potential – on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Through this grant, the game of flag football grows but more importantly, so do the girls who play it.

To learn more about Click Clack: Next Era Grant, please visit https://beyondsport.org/click-clack-next-era-grant/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Morgan Evans, Under Armour Global Brand Communications Lead, Team Sports – [email protected]
Taylor Gleason, Under Armour Lead, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs – [email protected]

###

About Under Armour
Under Armour, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is a leading inventor, marketer, and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. Designed to empower human performance, Under Armour’s innovative products and experiences are engineered to make athletes better. For further information, please visit http://about.underarmour.com.

About DSGF
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK’S Sporting Goods as a private corporate foundation to support DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities. Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, The DICK’S Foundation champions youth sports and provides grants and support to under-resourced teams and athletes through its Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about The DICK’S Foundation can be found on sportsmatter.org and on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

About Beyond Sport
Beyond Sport is a global foundation that uses sport’s transformative power to address critical social issues around the world. By championing communities, programs and partnerships that leverage physical activity to build opportunity and equity, it is working to create a more inclusive and progressive world. Since 2008, the foundation has raised more than $28 million to promote social change through sport. In that time, they have granted over $15 million to 557 initiatives across 81 countries in addition to vital capacity-building tools that support organizational sustainability and long-term impact. Learn more at beyondsport.org.

In recognition of the 2025 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, we were gratified to partner with New Balance Foundation in April to launch Futures in Motion. Grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD), the international program supports organizations using sport and physical activity to expand opportunities for young people and promote bright futures. Through grant funding, capacity-building resources and community engagement activities, we are on a mission to advance youth wellbeing, teach essential life skills and foster leadership, career readiness and inclusion.

Futures in Motion kicked off in Australia, Japan and Poland this year, and by 2027 will be active in seven total locations, helping to strengthen community organizations, ensure their long-term sustainability and equip young leaders to drive change. The program was developed and operates in close collaboration with in-country consultants, advisory groups and subject matter experts to ensure cultural and local relevance, and that the specific barriers young people are facing in each region are addressed.

READ MORE ABOUT WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED SO FAR:

AUSTRALIA

In September, we announced Aspire Community and Charity Bounce as the first Futures in Motion grant recipients. Program funding and organizational support will help expand Aspire Community’s “Learn, Lead, Play and Thrive: Where Sport Fuels Success” initiative and Charity Bounce’s “Bounce Clubs.”

Both organizations are known for their intersectional, equity-focused approaches to PYD through sport. Read more about them.

JAPAN

In October, we announced Chance for All, Knocku and Yamato Sylphid Sports Club as the Futures in Motion Japan grant recipients. Program funding and organizational support the expansion of Chance For All’s “Play Cars” initiative, help strengthen Knocku’s inclusive para-sports handball club and help the nonprofit arm of women’s football club, Yamato Sylphid, grow its “Empowerment Project.”

Through inclusive sport and physical activity, the three organizations are shifting the focus from competition to participation and access in Japan. Read more about them.

POLAND

Early next year, we’ll announce the grant recipients of Futures in Motion Poland. However, in November, we were excited to bring the six shortlisted organizations to New Balance’s Marketing office in Warsaw for the final stage of the selection process. The organizations joined Beyond Sport, New Balance Poland and local expert partner, V4Sport Foundation, for a two-day Co-Creation Workshop providing targeted coaching sessions, networking opportunities and culminating in a “Shark Tank” style Pitch Session to determine the final recipients.

It was a dynamic and collaborative experience that explored PYD and embedding youth voice; monitoring, evaluation and learning; purpose-led brand communications and audience engagement; and pitch coaching and communications skills, led by Beyond Sport’s Tarryn Horner and V4Sport’s Jakub Kalinowski and youth changemaker Liza Lytvynova, Futures in Motion evaluation expert, Sarah Ludecke and New Balance Poland’s Head of Marketing CEE, Iga Bielawski, respectively.

Through expert consultations, a peer learning and exchange process and networking opportunities, participants increased their capacity and confidence, refined their proposed projects and strengthened their impact frameworks, while also broadening their sport for development networks in Poland.

During the final session, representatives from the six organizations pitched for five minutes each to an international panel including New Balance Foundation’s Paola Bethmage, as well as Bielawski, Kalinowski, Lytvynova and Horner. The presentations demonstrated clarity, authenticity and strong youth-centered design reflecting the learning gained throughout the workshop.

LOOKING AHEAD

Futures in Motion will build on this year’s momentum, announcing both the Poland grantees and additional program locations next year. Beyond funding, the initiative seeks to strengthen organizations that are using sport and physical activity to support youth. The organizations and others will have access to capacity-building resources – including an upcoming digital self-assessment tool – and collaborative platforms where they can learn from and with their peers.

Be on the lookout for our program news in 2026!

In mathematics, 2025 is a “perfect square year” – an extremely rare occurrence which last happened in 1936 – and highly symbolic. According to numerous theorists, it typically symbolizes balance, symmetry and order. However, we’re certain that most would agree that this year was not that; instead, it was typified by geopolitical instability, unrest and never-ending change. But perfect square years are also associated with other characteristics, namely reflection, mindful action and transformation.

We truly felt that as we reimagined our approach to how we showed up for our communities, making sure to align our actions to our values. In 2025, that meant a strong prioritization on adaptability to help ensure that sport continues to rise to society’s increasing challenges in a rapidly changing world.

OUR YEAR AT A GLANCE

Despite this year’s global challenges, we took pride in actually increasing our financial and capacity-building support, programs, reach and impact from the previous year. Of particular importance to us was providing multi-year funding, better positioning the organizations we support for increased stability and opportunities to sustain their effectiveness in their communities. We also worked to remain flexible to changing needs and circumstances.

These are the key social challenges the Beyond Sport family targeted this year:

A LOOK BACK AT 2025

Read on for highlights of how Beyond Sport, our partners and grantees used sport to drive opportunity, equity and community across the year, including through two new initiatives!

*new Futures in Motion: We expanded our partnership with New Balance Foundation with the April launch of a multi-year collaboration to promote youth wellbeing, education, employment opportunities and inclusion through sport and physical activity. Developed and operating in close collaboration with in-country experts, Futures in Motion will ultimately encompass seven international locations by 2027. The program is already active in Australia and Japan, and our Poland grantees and the next two locations will be announced in 2026. Read more about our first four grantees and a unique workshop opportunity Beyond Sport, New Balance Foundation, V4Sport Foundation and New Balance Poland recently held in Warsaw for the six shortlisted Polish projects.

*new Flutter Tech4Good Awards: To address global declines in physical, mental and cognitive wellbeing, in October we partnered with Flutter on an initiative to reimagine what healthy adults and more active communities can look like. We received applications from organizations around the world ranging from cloud computing and software development to AI and assistive robotics technology. All are combining technology and sport to inspire adults to move more, strengthen wellbeing and bring communities together. Early next year, we will announce the five organizations who will receive funding and targeted organizational support to scale their projects. Learn more about the Awards and stay tuned for the winners!

Beyond Sport X Under Armour: Since 2023, our #SportForSocialChange retail donation campaign with Under Armour – currently including 56 stores – has raised more than $75,000 for nonprofit community organizations in 10 countries across Europe and the UK. 23 organizations that are using varied sports to positively impact youth health, personal growth and future success. This year, we were excited to add Belgium to the program and support hands-on activations that helped the stores and nonprofits connect more deeply. In 2026, we’ll be adding more retail locations and grantees so that we can reach even more young people. Read more about a year of growth and engagement.

Head In The Game: As the first phase of our program to advance youth mental wellbeing in the U.S. approaches its completion, we’re proud to recognize another year of collaborative work to support teen mental health and strengthen their support systems. We’d particularly like to thank the 43 sports-based youth development organizations who are committed to improving outcomes for young people and our five expert providers who trained over 2,300 coaches! We were also thrilled to have the NFLPA invest in the program, bringing us on as a 2025-6 charitable partner. Read about this year’s milestones.

Hoops + Health: Since 2023, our program with Sun Life has used free basketball sessions, court refurbishments, equipment donations, inclusive community festivals and coaches’ trainings to inspire healthy living among young people in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. With diabetes and obesity increasingly becoming a problem for youth across the region, we are extremely proud to report that all the program’s young participants have an increased awareness of the importance of physical health and wellbeing. In 2025, we reached 48,000 people across Asia and will build on the momentum as the partnership grows. Watch the Year 2 impact video.

NFL Foundation Community Partnerships: In 2022, Beyond Sport supported the rollout of this program in the UK, which used NFL Flag football to empower young people in disadvantaged areas in London, Birmingham, Greater Manchester and Leeds. This year, we were pleased to build on the collaboration, expanding the program into Brazil, Germany, Ireland and Spain. These grants will support organizations to further engage young people by incorporating Flag Football into their existing programming with a focus on improving physical and mental health, building community and reducing inequality for 9 to 20-year-olds. Be on the lookout for news on the grantees early next year. Learn more about the program.

Return to Play Fund: In 2025, we concluded our program with ESPN to address inequities in access to sport and play for Black and Brown communities across the U.S., emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. With generous support from ESPN, The Pincus Family Foundation and TeamSnap, the four-year initiative engaged more than 20 organizations, built eight safe spaces for play across six states and supported culturally grounded, wellness-driven programming that has empowered thousands of young people. Thank you to everyone who joined us in advocating for systemic change and in providing safe spaces for recreation!

Rexona Breaking Limits Program: In 2021, we began a partnership with Rexona (also known as Sure, Degree or Shield) to help young people improve their confidence to move more by leveraging sport to overcome barriers related to gender, race or ability. Through the program, we have since granted £4.2 million to 70 NGOs across nine countries, upskilled 7,000 coaches in inclusive sports across 24 countries and empowered hundreds of thousands of 12–24-year-olds. Click here to access the program’s digital Training Series created in partnership with expert sport for development organizations around the world – available in English (UK, US and Global), Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.

Sport Together Fund: Our Fund provides grants and capacity-building resources to organizations that are using sport to support refugees, asylum seekers and their host communities. In 2023, we first began our partnership with New Balance Foundation through this Fund to help young people with refugee experiences rebuild their lives. We are pleased to have their continued support with the renewal of their grants to five organizations across Europe. In October, we traveled with the Foundation to the New Balance office in Vigo, Spain to join with 40 associates and program grantee Fútbol Más Spain for an annual back packing event. Read all about it and watch our on the road video!

Olympism365 (O365) Innovation Hub: Since launching in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Women Win in 2024, the O365 Innovation Hub has supported 77 Innovators reaching nearly 124,000 participants in 184 communities across 42 countries – all committed to advancing new ideas and technologies to maximize sport’s impact on sustainable development. Going forward, we are looking forward to expanding Knowledge Exchange opportunities and resources to support Innovators in taking their work to the next level, as well as welcoming more people and organizations to the global community. Learn more about the Innovators across the program’s Collective, Enterprise, Grassroots, Ignite and Tech strands.

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

• In November, nearly 200 representatives from professional teams, leagues and community impact organizations came together in Manhattan for our annual Beyond Sport United event. Attendees were able to curate their schedule from 12 purpose-focused, primarily team-led workshops focused on remaining “Rooted in Purpose” while navigating “Sport’s Role in a Shifting World.” Read about the interactive and insightful day.
• Alongside our programs and events, we’re proud to showcase and celebrate sport for social change around the world, which included 200+ features in our bi-monthly Bulletin this year. Read our top 10 Moments That Moved Sport Forward in 2025.

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Governing body publishes women-focused design guidance for English stadiums

Last month, the governing body of the top two women’s football divisions in England – Women’s Super League Football (WSL) – published what it says is the world’s first advisory framework to guide the construction and upgrading of women’s football venues. Its forward-looking “Design Guidelines for the Delivery of Elite Women’s Stadiums in England” intends to support clubs, local authorities and architects in building and upgrading venues specifically for their women’s teams.

As with many things in the world, football stadiums have historically been built with men in mind – centering male athletes and fans at the heart of the design process. At a time when the women’s game and women’s sport in general is booming, WSL wants to change this and create a “welcoming an inclusive environment” for women athletes and supporters.

Hannah Buckley, Head of Safety, Sustainability and Infrastructure for WSL Football, led on the project’s development. She shared that the idea arose following discussions in 2022 on how suitable host venues were for the UEFA Women’s Euro that took place in England that year. “For ourselves as a league, it is critical that new infrastructure is a part of our clubs’ future plans – to allow the game to continue to grow, stadium primacy – and venues built through the lens of our players – is key, and our hope is that this guidance will be a catalyst for change moving forwards,” she later expanded.

The document notes that “women’s football stadiums represent a new architectural typology that is distinct from “traditional” football stadiums. They demand innovative designs that prioritize the specific needs of female players and one of the most diverse fan communities in the world of sport.”

In partnership with AFL Architects, Mott Macdonald and Forward Associates, the league led a comprehensive consultation process that included supporters, clubs, current and former players, managers, matchday technical staff including medical professionals and match officials, media, broadcasters, governing bodies, engineers, sports architects and sustainability experts.

The resulting guidelines offer tools for creating inclusive, adaptable and sustainable facilities that focus on design and construction rather than operational aspects. It covers a broad range of topics across Inclusivity & Accessibility, Changing Facilities, Fan Experience, Facilities & Safety and Media/Broadcasters. The percentage of toilets allocated to women and men, separate changing areas for under 18s, seat sizing, menstruation provisions in changing areas and futureproofing for environmental/climate change are just some of the subject areas.

“Our stadiums are where all this magic happens – both on and off the pitch – and where memories for players, staff and fans alike are made… With that in mind, Women’s Super League Football have developed this guidance… to help our clubs – the heartbeat of our game – to deliver the best match day offering possible,” stated WSL Football CEO Nikki Doucet.

The guidelines can be downloaded here: www.wslfootball.com/publications.

Sources: WSL Football, The Stadium Business

WeSwim’s new clubs help adults with disabilities to swim across London by partnering with local pools and a dedicated volunteer support system.

As we mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, it’s critical to remember that respecting human dignity is not a slogan. It’s something people feel or don’t based on whether the spaces around them are safe, accessible and welcoming. This year’s theme, “fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” sits at the heart of WeSwim’s vision to create access and opportunity for people with disabilities.

At this London-based charity, dignity takes the shape of warm water, steady hands, intentional design and communities built around freedom and inclusion rather than limitation. The organization offers volunteer-led swim programming by partnering with recreation clubs across London, a city where 1 in 5 adults have a disability. In 2025, nearly 500 adults with disabilities were given the chance to swim through their program.

“When people are welcomed, understood and given the same chance to enjoy the water, it transforms what’s possible,” says Natasha Fleming, Director of WeSwim.

Supported by the 2024 Ignite365 Awards of the Olympism365 Innovation Hub, a collaboration between the IOC, Beyond Sport and Women Win, WeSwim expanded from five to seven sites across London this past year. That growth did more than create capacity — it opened doors for people who had been waiting years for the chance to move, connect and belong.

The Olympism365 Innovation Hub is helping to support a diverse community of innovators that are advancing new ideas and technologies to maximize sport’s impact on sustainable development. WeSwim was recognized for its work to increase swimming opportunities for people with disabilities in Great Britain, offering them a chance to stay active and to build community connections.

Nora: Access After a Four-Year Wait

For Nora, joining WeSwim wasn’t a question of interest or motivation — it was distance. For four years, she sat on the organization’s waitlist unable to attend because none of the existing locations were safely reachable for her. Her multiple sclerosis diagnosis meant her radius had to be small, as travel was too unpredictable and physically taxing.

Everything changed when Ignite365 funding made it possible for WeSwim to expand programming to a new location, the Canada Water Leisure Centre. For the first time, this community resource was within her reach. After years of wanting to swim, she finally stepped — and was supported through dedicated volunteers — into the water for the first time this past September.

Milos: Support to Regain His Identity

In mid-2024, Milos arrived at the Crouch End club after his physio — whose clinic sits next door — recommended WeSwim to relieve chronic back pain and help him regain mobility.

A former children’s cricket coach and regular swimmer, Milos’ life changed dramatically after being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in 2021. He became largely housebound, unsure of what his body could still do. He remembers his first WeSwim session vividly.

Nervous and unsteady, he entered the water with the support of volunteer Ian. His legs twitched uncontrollably; they felt, as he described, like “dead weights.” Ian encouraged him to start with pool noodles and simple arm movements — small steps to rebuild trust in his own body.

What happened next was six months of slow, determined transformation.

“Within a few sessions, the volunteers suggested putting my legs together and trying a butterfly-style kick. We realized that when we put it together with my arms, it was a much better technique. Soon I was swimming with my head under water and without a noodle. After three months, I was swimming a whole length!”

Today, swimming is not just an exercise for Milos. It stands for an identity that has been regained.

“WeSwim has helped get me out of a dark place,” he says, “and given me a new lease for life.” And in words that capture the freedom only water can offer: “On land I’m a cripple, but in the water I’m a mermaid.”

Niveda: Freedom Through Movement

Ten years ago, Niveda stopped swimming after spine surgery — something she once loved doing with her mom. Living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease), she needs support both getting into the pool and while in the water, making most exercise spaces difficult or inaccessible.

When her best friend Beth encouraged her to try swimming again, she searched for disability-inclusive programs and found WeSwim. In October 2024, they arrived at the Vauxhall club with nervous optimism.

“I remember Izzy and the other volunteers being so welcoming,” Niveda says. “They showed Beth and I around and helped me use the hoist.”

With that foundation of care, Niveda’s confidence returned quickly. Weeks later, she was experimenting with new techniques, swimming independently with a noodle and exploring the deep end. She now attends on her own, supported by volunteers she trusts.

“Even though it had been a long time since I last swam, being in the water gave me the belief that I could still do it. My next goal is to swim a full length without any float.”

But for Niveda, the impact goes beyond simple movement.

“The water gives me freedom — I can move in ways I can’t outside of it because of my bones. The people I’ve met at WeSwim understand me. We laugh, we joke and we support each other. It’s become such a positive part of my life.”

Access → Transformation → Freedom

Taken together, these stories trace a simple but profound arc.

Access allows people to enter.
Support allows them to grow.
Freedom allows them to flourish.

WeSwim has cultivated an environment in which this freedom can truly take shape. When sport is built intentionally for people with disabilities— with trained volunteers, accessible equipment, thoughtful locations and a culture of welcome — it becomes more than a place to exercise. It becomes a place to feel powerful, safe and free.

To support or volunteer with WeSwim, please visit their website.

A record 120 million+ people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, human rights violations and environmental disasters. To leverage sport to aid in global humanitarian efforts, Beyond Sport created the Sport Together Fund in 2022 to support sport-based development nonprofits and clubs that are assisting impacted communities through projects promoting wellbeing, inclusivity and leadership development.

In 2023, we were excited to have New Balance Foundation partner on the Fund to support organizations that are helping children and young people with refugee experiences rebuild their lives. Through the Fund, the Foundation is providing grants to five nonprofits across France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain that are nurturing inclusion, wellness and positive youth development through sport. With children making up an estimated one third to one half of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe, for the last few years, we’ve been pleased to have New Balance associates in Europe join in efforts as well!

In October, Beyond Sport Senior Programs Manager, Tarryn Horner and Community & Foundation Events Manager, Emily Belcher, joined New Balance Foundation Global Grants Manager, Paola Bethmage, New Balance EMEA Internal Communications Manager, Gareth Jenkins and New Balance Global Community Engagement and Grants Associate, Charlotte Twiss at the New Balance offices in Vigo, Spain for an inspiring employee engagement event.

Together with 40 associates, they packed 900 backpacks filled with gear and handwritten notes of encouragement for young people from the Guadassuar community who were severely impacted by last year’s floods and 6-20-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities now building their lives in Spain. In 2024, more than 707,000 people were registered in the country as refugees, asylum-seekers or stateless individuals – and a growing number of them are children.

A third of the bags were sent to Sport Together Fund grantee, Fútbol Más Spain. The nonprofit helps refugees and migrant youth in Madrid and Seville through football sessions and workshops that nurture physical and emotional health, education, life skills development and community engagement. Fútbol Más’ Elena Beltza took part in the volunteer event, leading an exercise showcasing the organization’s international ‘Green Card’ methodology.

This approach uses positive reinforcement to promote behaviors that embrace respect, responsibility, joy, creativity and teamwork. Participants typically circle up after football sessions to recognize and award each other with a ‘Green Card’ for positive actions that encourage supportive environments rather than ones based on punishment.

“Beyond Sport, the New Balance Foundation and Fútbol Más are very aligned in our goals, and above all, in our vision of sport as a tool for transformation. I left with my heart full of hope, motivation and energy, knowing there are people like you doing such spectacular work. And of course, with the great fortune of knowing that we’re on the same team,” shared Beltza.

Fútbol Más Spain also integrated their Green Card approach to the bag distribution, ensuring that the hand-over moments promoted their core values of respect, teamwork and positivity. We’re happy to report that the bags are already being used, and thank the New Balance Spain associates and New Balance Foundation for taking time to spread joy this school year!

After the event, the team shared their highlights (and some other thoughts 😀) from the day. Check it out!