A NEW partnership is aiming to boost opportunities for young people through the power of sport.
Launched in Bradford, Played in Bradford brings together three of the district’s major sporting charities: the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, the Bradford Bulls Foundation, and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.
All three organisations are the official charities of their respective clubs and will now work together to support young people in developing employability skills and accessing opportunities, using the power of sport and physical activity.
Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, CEO of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, said: "We are incredibly excited to be launching Played in Bradford.
"Played in Bradford isn't simply the launch of another partnership.
"It's a commitment from four organisations who have each spent years improving lives through sport, coming together because we believe we can achieve even more together than we ever could individually.
"We at the Bradford City FC Community Foundation are ready to begin working with our fellow charities to make a lasting, measurable difference for young people in our community."
Played in Bradford brings together three of the district’s major sporting charities: the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, the Bradford Bulls Foundation, and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
(Image: Mike Simmonds)
The new partnership is supported by Active Bradford, a charity focused on making Bradford a healthier and more active place to live.
The launch event took place at Bradford Arts Centre, where partners, charities, and key stakeholders gathered to learn more about the project.
A panel discussion featured representatives from each organisation.
Liaqat Ali, head of community programmes at the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, said: "Yorkshire Cricket Foundation is excited to be part of Played in Bradford and to work alongside Bradford Bulls Foundation and Bradford City FC Community Foundation.
"By bringing together our shared values, knowledge and reach across Bradford’s communities, we have a real opportunity to make a lasting impact and use the power of sport to bring people together."
Family-friendly activities took place at City Park in front of City Hall, including football challenges, an inflatable cricket game where participants could try their hand at batting, and a series of rugby passing, catching and physical strength tests.
Michelle Pemberton, projects and events manager at the Bradford Bulls Community Foundation, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to be joining the Played in Bradford partnership alongside Bradford City Community Foundation and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.
"By bringing our strengths together, we can create even more opportunities for people across Bradford and make a real difference in our communities."
In the coming months, Played in Bradford will launch a new youth leadership programme for young people in the district.