As part of the UKSPF – People & Skills funding programme, Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation have been successful in an application to engage with 250 socially inactive individuals across Shropshire.  

Local physical activity providers Brightstar Boxing, Shropshire Cricket and Embrace have formed as the Shropshire Sports Collective and will be pivotal in the success of the project. 

The Shropshire Sports Collective (SSC) project aims to harness the power of sport and physical activity to engage individuals who are currently inactive in the labour market and residing in diverse communities across Shropshire. All partners recognise the potential of sport and physical activity as a dynamic platform that can inspire, motivate, and empower individuals to develop essential skills, unlock their potential, and pursue meaningful employment opportunities.  

By utilising sport and physical activity as a catalyst, the SSC will create tailored programmes that address the specific needs of each community, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can improve their basic skills, enhance their employment prospects and achieve sustainable outcomes. 

The SSC are promoting the programme as “Make Sport Work” and are hoping this will be the start of a sustainable and scalable programme where other funders, organisations and individuals can use the benefits of sport and physical activity in gaining academic and sporting qualifications, whilst assisting individuals into work or further education through a sporting context.    

As part of this collaborative work the Shropshire Sports Collective are calling for anyone who may fit the criteria to participate in the 6 week ‘upskilling’ programme to make contact and take full advantage of the support being provided across the county.  

 Pete Ezard, Chief Executive at Energize STW said:

“This will provide the sector with a unique opportunity to bring managerial and operational expertise together from reputable and trusted partners working across sport and physical activity.  With the opportunity to tackle social exclusion and inactivity we can demonstrate the power sport and physical activity can play in addressing several community and societal issues across the county.”

 Calvin Latham, Education & Employability Manager at Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation said:

“Through the collective, we’re not just kicking a ball; we’re kicking down barriers and opening doors to brighter futures. By tapping into the power of sport, we’re engaging the people of Shropshire in a transformative journey towards becoming both work ready and life ready. Our partner hub sites, and intensive 6-week fast track courses are the vehicles through which we drive ambition, skills, and opportunity, turning the passion for sport into the passion for success.”

---

If you’d like to learn more about the Shropshire Sports Collective and the partners involved, please contact Calvin at Shrewsbury Town FC on [email protected] or 01743 289177 ext 6.