Sport

Sport

TRI-3 Sportz

Our focus on sports-based charities links naturally to Columbia Threadneedle's sponsorship of the ITU World Triathlon Series. We recognise the unique power of sport to engage and motivate, build comradery and improve emotional and physical wellbeing, particularly among young people.

In 2013 we began a three-year partnership with UK-based youth development charity Access Sport. Founded in 2004, Access Sport aims to harness the proven power of sport to tackle social exclusion, inactivity and obesity in areas where help is most needed. It achieves this through empowering inspirational community volunteers to set up and run local sports clubs with cash, expert advice and networking. 

Columbia Threadneedle works with Access Sport to support the charity’s ambition to reach over 9,000 disadvantaged young people in 2015, by offering them the opportunity to engage positively with a local sports club, build self-esteem, live healthier lives and avoid the devastating impact of involvement with local gangs. Teams participating in the Threadneedle Team Triathlon are encouraged to raise funds for Access Sport, and raised over £30,000 in 2013 and 2014 combined.

 

 

 

 

Access Sport

Teaming up with Access Sport, we have developed ‘Tri-3-Sportz’, a legacy programme designed to break down barriers to triathlon and make the sport more accessible to young people in London. On 31 May 2014, following on the heels of the elite triathletes, 100 children from inner city communities completed a Tri-3-Sportz urban triathlon on the official triathlon course in London’s Hyde Park, cheered on by British Triathlete and Access Sport Ambassador Vanessa Raw. The event was also supported by the British Triathlon Foundation. The Tri-3-Sportz programme, which seeks to provide a legacy for triathlon in the capital, will continue with the development of local clubs.

“Triathlon should not be a difficult sport to get into and Tri-3-Sportz really proves that. There is a real buzz for triathlon in the UK after the Olympic Games so it’s fantastic that Threadneedle and Access Sport have come together to help develop a legacy for the sport. I hope programmes like this help to inspire more young people to take up the triathlon."
Vanessa Raw, elite British Triathlete and Access Sport Ambassador

 

 

 

2013: Elite British athletes launch TRI-3-SPORTZ legacy initiative2013: Elite British athletes launch TRI-3-SPORTZ legacy initiative
2014: Access Sport hosts TRI-3-SPORTZ urban triathlon in London’s Hyde Park2014: Access Sport hosts TRI-3-SPORTZ urban triathlon in London’s Hyde Park

Chance to Shine - Street is a cricket initiative for youngsters between the ages of 8-24 in inner-city areas, including the London boroughs, where access to cricket clubs is limited. It promotes and develops cricket in deprived areas affected by youth crime and anti-social behaviour, and uses the sport to engage with ‘at risk’ young people. It aims to increase aspiration, promote mutual respect, and enhance relationships with schools, police and the wider community, by providing structured coaching and competitive opportunities for young people. We are supporting one project for a full year, with approx. 50 weekly participants aged 8-15 years.

The Youth Adventure Trust is a charity that works with vulnerable young people across Wiltshire and Swindon. These children are severely disadvantaged in terms of educational attainment, life skills and future prospects and particularly prone to risks such as youth offending, substance misuse and other risky behaviour.

The Foundation has contributed to the Youth Adventure Programme, a series of residential adventure camps and day activities that young people attend for a three year period between the ages of 11-14. The Programme emphasises the importance of team work, communication, social skills and taking responsibility. These life skills will help the young people develop aspiration and grow into individuals who are able to fulfil their potential and make a positive contribution to society.