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Girls of Brum Summer Showcase Inspires at Alexander Stadium
Over 450 girls from schools across Birmingham came together earlier this month for the Girls of Brum Summer Showcase at the iconic Alexander Stadium, proving that not even the British weather could dampen their enthusiasm for sport, physical activity and new experiences.
The annual showcase event brought together young women from across the city for a day dedicated to participation, empowerment and inspiration. Despite persistent rain throughout the day, the atmosphere remained vibrant and energetic as girls embraced every opportunity to get active, learn new skills and build lasting friendships.
For the full Sport Birmingham article click here
For Birmingham Live's coverage click here |
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Running alongside the event was the Girls of Brum Leaders Forum. The forum brought together senior leaders from sport, business, education, health and community organisations to drive action on gender equity. Its purpose was to create collaboration, influence decision-making, share insights, build partnerships and develop practical solutions that help close the gender gap in sport and physical activity for girls and young women across Birmingham.
For the full article click here
Below photo: Lisa O’Keefe (IWG Secretary General) and Mark Taylor (Chair of Sport Birmingham) with the signed Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration. By becoming a signatory, Sport Birmingham joins a global network of over 700 organisations committed to advancing gender equity across physical activity and sport. |
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Sport Welfare Officer Network Continues to Grow Its Impact Across Community Sport
The latest evaluation report on the Sport Welfare Officer (SWO) Network has highlighted significant growth in engagement, collaboration, and positive culture change across community sport, reinforcing the vital role the network plays in strengthening safeguarding and welfare practices throughout England.
Published following an independent evaluation conducted by Ecorys, the report reflects on data gathered between October 2024 and February 2026, providing valuable insight into the continued development and impact of the programme. Funded by Sport England, the network now includes more than 60 Sport Welfare Officers, collectively supporting organisations and communities in every region of the country.
Heading up local rollout of the programme are our Development Manager for Sports Welfare, Seona Deuchar and Sport Welfare Officer Chris Timmins. To learn more about the role of the Sport Welfare Officer Network and its impact at club level, watch this short video below featuring our Sport Welfare Officer Chris discussing his work with Birmingham Hockey Club 1932 and the benefits the network brings to local sport. You can also check out the Sport Birmingham Welfare and Safeguarding page here.
For the full article click here
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Celebrating Success at the TOCA Social MAD Showcase Event
Earlier this month the Make a Difference team held a showcase event at TOCA Social Birmingham Bullring, celebrating the inspiring work being delivered by the SAFE team.
The event brought together four schools, 21 young people, and a range of system partners to celebrate the young people completing their mentoring journey with MAD Birmingham. It also provided an opportunity to explore how we can continue supporting schools through sports mentoring to help young people build resilience, develop civic responsibility, and drive social change.
Attendees enjoyed a series of motivational talks from Youth Panel Mentors, highlighting the importance of youth voice in action and showcasing how young people are helping to shape opportunities within their communities.
The SAFE programme is dedicated to empowering young people by enhancing educational achievement, developing life and employability skills, and building confidence, resilience, and self-efficacy. Through mentoring, physical activity, and wellbeing initiatives, the programme supports positive change while encouraging young people to become active and responsible members of their communities.
The showcase event was a powerful reminder of the difference that can be made when young people are given support, guidance, and opportunities to thrive.To find out more about the SAFE programme and the wider work of the MAD team, click here |
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Inject the excitement and drama of the World Cup into your fundraising. Your group could win a £1,000 donation if you play easyfundraising’s Top Scorer game this month!
You need to register your group with easyfundraising for free, and invite your members and wider community to become your supporters so they can play too. Score as many goals in the virtual net as you can in 30 seconds, while avoiding the yellow and red cards. No matter how well you score, each time you and your group community play between 15-28 June, is an extra entry to win a £1,000 donation. Make the top 5 on the daily scores leaderboard and there’s a chance to win up to a £200 bonus prize, too.
To enter, join easyfundraising at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/sportbirmingham. If you use it already, log in to your profile to play from 15th June. |
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This week is UK Coaching Week! (22nd - 28th June)This year's theme is Purposeful Play. Click here for more information.
Have you heard about Play Their Way?
Play Their Way is a UK movement that promotes child-first coaching in sport and physical activity. Led by the Children’s Coaching Collaborative, it helps coaches put children’s voice, choice and journey at the centre of their experience. The approach encourages young people to have a say in how they participate, make choices about their activities, and develop in ways that suit them as individuals. Its goal is to make sport more enjoyable, inclusive and empowering, helping children build a lifelong love of being active.
You can tap into their fantastic range of resources here#PlayTheirWay #PlayItForward |
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Funding Opportunities
Check out our funding opportunities page which is updated on an ongoing basis. You’ll find over 100 grant and loan providers listed! Take a look here and discover which opportunities could be a great fit for your group or organisation.
WMCA Power Up Community Sport Programme
Funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Sport England, and delivered by Sported, Power Up Community Sport is a free programme that supports clubs, groups and organisations like yours to get stronger, more confident and more sustainable. You’ll benefit from a 5-stage program (see below for details), a grant of up to £500 upon completion and access to a network of program participants and local partners to continue organisational development.
Who is it for?: Not-for-profit groups who deliver sport and physical activity to underserved communities in the WMCA Area
When is it?: Next cohort will run from August to November 2026, with further editions running in 2027.
How to apply: If you’d like to take part, please complete a short sign-up form here
Application closing date: 31st July 2026
If you have any questions about the project or need additional support completing the sign-up form, please contact Claire Greenwood c.greenwood@sported.org.uk
Birmingham Youth Conference
Delivered by the Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation as part of the National Commission for Mental Health UK at Villa Park on Saturday 11th July (11-4pm).
The conference is open for any youth organisations and community groups, to bring up to 10 young people, with lunch provided and a £10 voucher each, as a token of appreciation. The young people will take part in round table discussions on educational barriers, mental health and emotional wellbeing, alternatives to crime and anti-social behaviour and building positive peer networks.
For more information and to book please email Manju Shahul-Hameed manju@msfoundations.co.uk
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Sport Birmingham,
11th Floor, Cobalt Square, 83-85 Hagley Road,
Birmingham, B16 8QG Registered charity number: 1155171 |
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