Join In and Intersport Launch Community Sports Scheme
Grass roots sports clubs and fitness across the UK will benefit from the launch of Intersport’s new community programme.
Intersport has been working with charity Join In to launch a unique, in-store programme that will support local sports groups and help them to engage with new volunteers and players.
As well as expert advice on sporting kit and equipment, clubs and shoppers will be able to access Intersport’s local knowledge to help build their clubs and receive advice on where to get involved with sport locally.
Intersport Herne Hill is one of the first stores to receive a new Join In Community Board, an in-store resource that clubs and visitors can utilise to engage with the wider community. The community board will publicise local volunteer opportunities and store staff will work to connect enthusiastic sports participants with clubs in need- helping to build the sporting community throughout central London.
As part of the collaboration, each Intersport store will also be matched with a Local Leader, one of Join In’s local on-the-ground ambassadors. Intersport will also be working with Join In to recruit more Local Leaders and build their community sports network further.
Local Leader, Malcolm Chevin has been paired with Intersport Herne Hill, where he will use his local knowledge of sport to help visitors to the store get involved in their community. Together with the store, Malcolm will provide clubs with tailored advice on skills and resources needed to grow their club. He’ll also help match them with volunteers in the local area looking for a local club to help.
“Our partnership with Intersport gives us a fantastic opportunity to help sports clubs grow and provide opportunities for the growing numbers of both current and aspiring volunteers. It was clear from my first visit to the Intersport store that they are enthusiastic to make the partnership work. With their local knowledge and contacts and our growing Local Leader network we have every opportunity of making it a success, meeting the needs of clubs with a supply of suitable volunteers.”
Pete Swann from Intersport Herne Hill says, “We are really proud and excited to partner with Join In and help grow the volunteering population. It’s great to see the legacy of 2012 thrive and as a member of Intersport I hope we can link volunteers with those sporting organisations that need help.”
Intersport will also be supporting Join In to put more volunteers into community sport by encouraging their customers to search for volunteering opportunities near them and encouraging the clubs they know to create a profile on Join in’s website – spreading the word locally.
Intersport Herne Hill is one of the stores to launch the scheme, which will roll out across over 200 Intersport stores throughout 2015.
Join In is a London 2012 legacy charity that puts more volunteers into community sport. For further information visit joininuk.org
Intersport is a global sports retail business with a local focus, providing its customers with expert advice across a host of different sports. For more information about Intersport, please visit intersport.co.uk
