Three of Bradford's leading sporting charities came together last month to celebrate the launch of Played in Bradford, a new partnership designed to support young people across the district through the power of sport.

The initiative brings together Bradford City FC Community Foundation, Bradford Bulls Foundation and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, with support from Active Bradford.

The project will see the organisations work together to help young people develop employability skills and access new opportunities through sport and physical activity.

Played in Bradford was officially launched at Bradford Arts Centre, where partners, fellow charities and key stakeholders from across the district gathered to learn more about the project. Representatives from each organisation also took part in a panel discussion on the partnership and its future ambitions.

Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, CEO of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching Played in Bradford. Played in Bradford isn't simply the launch of another partnership. It's a commitment from four organisations who have each spent years improving lives through sport, coming together because we believe we can achieve even more together than we ever could individually. We at the Bradford City FC Community Foundation are ready to begin working with our fellow charities to make a lasting, measurable difference for young people in our community.”

Following the launch event, the celebrations moved to City Park in the heart of Bradford, where coaches from the three sporting foundations delivered a range of family-friendly activities. The programme included football challenges, an inflatable cricket game and a series of rugby passing, catching and physical strength tests.

Liaqat Ali, Head of Community Programmes at the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, said: “Yorkshire Cricket Foundation is excited to be part of Played in Bradford and to work alongside Bradford Bulls Foundation and Bradford City FC Community Foundation. By bringing together our shared values, knowledge and reach across Bradford’s communities, we have a real opportunity to make a lasting impact and use the power of sport to bring people together.”

Michelle Pemberton, Projects and Events Manager at the Bradford Bulls Community Foundation, said: “We're absolutely thrilled to be joining the Played in Bradford partnership alongside Bradford City Community Foundation and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation. By bringing our strengths together, we can create even more opportunities for people across Bradford and make a real difference in our communities.”

The partnership is set to launch a new youth leadership programme in the coming months.

With 27% of Bradford's population aged under 20, Played in Bradford aims to support young people into adulthood and create pathways into employability opportunities.

James Brown, CEO of Active Bradford, said: “Collaboration isn't always the easy option but is often the best option for the people and communities we all serve. It's great to see the big Foundations leading by example. Played in Bradford demonstrates what can happen when organisations with a shared purpose come together around a common goal. By combining the reach, expertise and influence of these three sporting Foundations, we can create more opportunities for young people across the district, helping them develop confidence and develop life, leadership and employability skills. We are proud to support this partnership and excited to see the impact it will have for the district in the years to come.”

Bradford charities unite to launch Played in Bradford partnership

Bradford charities unite to launch Played in Bradford partnership