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Research
Independent research from Manchester Metropolitan University research on the impact of Barclays Spaces for Sports
Executive summary
Full Report

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What happens next

Through Barclays Spaces for Sports, we know we can use sport to make a difference to people’s lives. We are building on the success of the UK programme, and extending this support to other local communities where Barclays operates – this means taking Barclays Spaces for Sports to other countries around the world, starting in South Africa, Zambia and the United States of America.

Sport is well recognised as a powerful tool to engage hard-to-reach groups and can be used as a way to address many social issues including education, health e.g. HIV/AIDS, life skills, entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment – particularly in developing countries. Each country where we operate has its own unique social challenges so the issues addressed through the programme, and the nature of the support offered, will vary according to the needs of the local community. Each project delivered will therefore be different - some following what has been done in the UK more than others. However, there are underlying principles, and things that we have learnt from the UK programme that will be applicable everywhere – for example, the need to work well with partners and to engage the local community to find out exactly what they want and need.

Our next three projects are in South Africa, the United States of America and Zambia and have all been designed with learning from the UK programme in mind:

• In Gansbaai, in the Western Cape of South Africa, there are few positive outlets to tackle the community’s social issues. The majority of residents have never had access to community sports facilities but through the development of the Gansbaai Communal Sports Centre, we are looking to change that. Between three racially segregated communities, there are now areas for football, rugby, netball and athletics. By getting involved in sport at the site, integration will be encouraged, and social benefits will follow. In addition to the sports areas, there are also shower and changing facilities and a community meeting room for local gatherings. Following the investment by Barclays Spaces for Sports, businesses, local and national government and the community are getting involved and coming together to secure the long term future of the site.
  
  Leán Terblanche, a Gansbaai resident, said: "Yesterday we had the girls from the white community come over and play soccer with the black girls at the sports field - the white girls had never played soccer before in their lives!" A great first step towards social and racial integration through sport and these wonderful facilities.
• In the US, Barclaycard are using Barclays Spaces for Sports to help the East Side Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware, to improve sports facilities. In a neighbourhood known for drugs, violence and high teenage birth rates, the programme will build two basketball courts, a baseball diamond, soccer and football fields as well as play areas for the youngest members of the community.
• In Zambia, using investment from the Barclays Spaces for Sports programme, the bank, the Ministry of Education and Grassroots Soccer, have trained 100 government and community school PE teachers to deliver an HIV/AIDS education programme for schools and scout groups. HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in Southern Africa and so once again we are responding to local needs to use Barclays Spaces for Sports in a way that will deliver maximum benefit for the community.
  
  Barclays Spaces for Sports will also help the Lubwe Mission in Luapala Province to improve its football field and other sports facilities. This will help divert young people away from the crime and antisocial behaviour that currently cause problems for the area.