News -

Capital's grassroots sport ambitions boosted by programme of major event activation

A boxing World Record attempt, a national five-a-side football festival and a EURO 2020 initiative for London schools are among a range of recent announcements that cement London's position as a global leader in bringing together world-class sport and grassroots activation.

The programmes, which are linked to the Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic qualifying event taking place at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's Copper Box Arena and to this summer's EURO 2020 Men's Football Championships, seek to engage and inspire Londoners from all communities through the power of elite sport here in the capital.

London's illustrious history as a leading venue for the world's biggest sporting events has long offered unique opportunities to test approaches to community engagement as part of wider efforts to make London the most active city in the world.

Here, we take a look at the most recent announcements and opportunities for communities to get involved.

Boxing community engagement programme to tackle discrimination and promote positive mental and physical health
A new community engagement programme to tackle discrimination and promote positive mental and physical health will take place throughout London as part of the forthcoming Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic qualifying event from 14-24 March.

The programme, which is funded by The Mayor of London and delivered in partnership with England Boxing and a range of community groups, aims to use boxing to engage young people and promote anti-discrimination, positive mental health and active lifestyles, particularly among young girls and women.

Details of the full programme and opportunities to get involved are available here.

Boxing Road to Tokyo seeks to set new World Record for most nationalities ever to take part in single boxing session
On Wednesday 18 March, the Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifying event will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the most nationalities ever to take part in a single boxing session. The Record attempt, which involves a fitness-based, non-contact session led by qualified England Boxing coaches, is looking to sign up individuals who hold current passports or ID card from one of the UN member states in an attempt to demonstrate the breadth and diversity of people inspired to be active by boxing in the capital.

The current record stands at 50, and registration for the event is open now.

Football Association launches FA FIVES festival to build on the nation's excitement for UEFA EURO 2020
Funded by Sport England and promoted in partnership with BBC Sport, FA FIVES is a national five-a-side fotoball festival that expects to attract more than 5,000 teams and up to 50,000 participants across the country. London, which has been confirmed as the host of seven tournament matches, including both semi-finals and the final, will also play host to the FA FIVES National FInals weekend on 12-13 June, the same weekend EURO 2020 gets underway in Rome.

More information and team registration is available at TheFA.com/THEFAFIVES.

No Barriers 2020 - celebrating sport and social action
Schools across London are being offered the chance to bring together sport and social action and harness the excitement of the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament.

No Barriers 2020 offers schools a range of free school resources, including inspiring football Champion Cards, lesson plans, worksheets, PowerPoints and a Host City Map. Supported by the Mayor of London, teh student-led project guides students to get active on the pitch and in their local communities, using the power of fotoball to bring people together to tackle an issue important to them.

More information and sign-up for schools can be found at www.big-ideas.org/no-barriers-2020

West Ham United's Players' Project named London Sport Award winners in Impact of Elite Sport category
Friday night's London Sport Awards saw West Ham United crowned champions in the Impact of Elite Sport category for their ground-breaking Players' Project, which connects the Club's elite and academy team players to a range of community programmes and initiatives. The project, which was shortlisted alongside Chelsea Football Club's Chelsea Champions project and Richmond Rugby Club's Community Programme, highlights the extensive and on-going efforts to support communities across the capital through the power of elite sport.

Look back at who else took home the trophies from the London Sport Awards here


UPDATE (16/03/20): The Olympic boxing qualifying event in London has been moved behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak from Monday 16 March.

UPDATE (17/03/20): The Olympic European boxing qualifying event in London was suspended after Monday night's session because of the coronavirus outbreak.

UPDATE (19/03/20): Following the postponement of EURO 2020 and UK Government’s advice that led to all grassroots football being suspended, The FA have taken the decision to postpone THE FA FIVES.

Topics

  • Health, Health Care, Pharmaceuticals

Categories

  • mayor of london
  • sport england
  • elite sport
  • euro 2020
  • boxing
  • football

Regions

  • Greater London

Contacts

Press Office

Press contact

Anil Manji

Press contact Head of Marketing and Communications

Related content