Chance to Shine and the Youth Sport Trust are delighted to announce a partnership , as the charities join forces to ensure more children can experience the life-changing benefits of sport.

A key focus will be on linking their successful girls’ programmes, empowering participants to shape the way that they and their peers engage with sport and to help them to develop key life and leadership skills. In addition, the partnership will help schools to access a greater array of free resources, training and online support.

Chance to Shine Chief Executive Laura Cordingley said:

“We know how important sport will be in getting children back on their feet as we move out of lockdown, and this partnership will have a crucial role to play. We have always had a fantastic relationship with the Youth Sport Trust and with so many shared values, it makes complete sense to pool our resources and work hand in hand for the good of children and teachers across the UK.

“Our Girls Leadership Programme at Chance to Shine has yielded some really exciting results and we're looking forward to developing this further and drawing upon shared experiences in that field.”

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said:

“The Youth Sport Trust and Chance to Shine share a passionate belief in the essential role sport has to play in improving young people’ lives. Promoting inclusion, removing barriers to girls’ participation and empowering young people to lead has long been a key area of Youth Sport Trust’s work.

“We’re delighted to be working together with Chance to Shine and sharing this expertise to increase access to the physical and mental health benefits that come from an active lifestyle and empower more young people with the enjoyment, experience, skills and confidence to be active.”

The Chance to Shine Secondary School Girls Programme funds cricket coaching and leadership development for girls aged 11-16. Read more here.The programme itself utilises a host of teaching resources developed in partnership between Chance to Shine and Youth Sport Trust, most notably the ‘Be the Spark’ Leadership Programme which has face to face and adapted virtual modules. Access these resources and more by signing up for free to the Chance to Shine Portal.

Throughout the charity’s history, the Youth Sport Trust has sought to find ways to ensure that physical education (PE), sport and physical activity are relevant and motivating for girls. The award-winning Girls Active programme, delivered in partnership with Women in Sport with National Lottery funding from Sport England, supports thousands of girls by empowering them to lead and giving them a voice in their PE, sport and physical activity provision.