Helping schools increase participation, reduce costs and promote sustainability through sport.
Action For Sport has officially launched its free School Partnership Programme nationally following a successful pilot involving five partner schools.
The successful pilot has already demonstrated the programme’s impact, with participating schools reporting improvements in participation, engagement and attendance. Teachers have described the programme as “simple to set up and easy to run”, while students have highlighted increased confidence and a stronger sense of inclusion through sport.
The programme marks the next stage in the charity’s development, moving from providing one-off support to building long-term partnerships with schools that help increase participation in sport, reduce costs for families and create more opportunities for children and young people to enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of sport.
Founded in 2019, Action For Sport was established to remove barriers to participation in sport through the redistribution of sportswear and equipment. Since then, the charity has supported more than 16,000 children and young people, helped families save over £540,000, and ensured that more than 10 tonnes of sportswear and equipment have been reused or recycled rather than sent to landfill.
Through the School Partnership Programme, schools receive practical support to establish their own sportswear recycling initiatives, together with access to discounted sportswear and equipment, student volunteering and engagement opportunities, sustainability projects and a growing range of member benefits. The programme has been designed to fit easily alongside existing school activity and is completely free to join.
Alder Tree Primary Academy Leeds, Action For Sport Group with Action For Sport Co-Founder Clive Michallat
Alder Tree Primary Academy Leeds, Principal Mrs Kate Burton holding some of the kit donated by Action For Sport
The programme is supported by a growing network of commercial partners, including SportsShoes.com, Net World Sports and APX Teamwear, helping schools access high-quality sportswear and equipment at significantly reduced cost whilst supporting Action For Sport’s wider mission of increasing participation in sport.
Clive Michallat, Co-Founder of Action For Sport, said:
“Every child and young person should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport, regardless of their circumstances.
Over the last six years we’ve seen the difference that access to the right sportswear and equipment can make. The School Partnership Programme is the natural next step, enabling us to work alongside schools to create lasting impact by reducing costs for families, increasing participation, empowering young people and promoting sustainability.
Best of all, the programme is completely free for schools. We provide the resources, guidance and support, allowing schools to focus on what they do best, helping young people thrive through sport.
The response from our pilot schools has been incredibly encouraging and we’re excited to welcome schools and colleges from across the UK into the programme.”
A growing number of schools are already joining the programme ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.
Schools joining the programme also become part of Action For Sport’s wider Pay It Forward approach, helping extend the impact of sport by supporting their local communities through participation, sustainability and the redistribution of sportswear and equipment.
The School Partnership Programme is now open to all schools and colleges across the UK.
For more information, visit www.actionforsport.org.uk
