Sport for Development and Peace

Dallaglio RugbyWorks will mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6th by supporting the launch of the ‘Open Goal’ campaign.

Open Goal has been created by Dallaglio RugbyWorks and fellow members of the Sport for Development Coalition to showcase how sport and physical activity can contribute to building a fairer, more equitable and sustainable future.

In particular, it will focus on how the 200-plus members of the Coalition specifically support a series of positive health and societal outcomes such as reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, and building stronger communities and social cohesion in the wake of Covid-19.

IDSDP takes place each year on April 6th and, according to the United Nations, presents “an opportunity to recognise the positive role sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the globe”. It is certain to resonate strongly in 2022 because of current conflict around the globe, and in the wake of Covid-19.

First and foremost, Open Goal will see the Coalition call on UK Government to ringfence funding committed for jobs, health and tackling crime towards targeted sport-based interventions that can save public money and generate multiple returns on investment, from improving the physical and mental health of individuals facing disadvantage and discrimination, to increasing educational attainment and the ability to secure employment.

This will support the Government’s recently-launched ‘Levelling Up’ agenda which outlined 12 ‘Missions’ to be achieved by 2030, eight of which Coalition members are directly contributing to.

"Dallaglio RugbyWorks directly impacts on the 7 of the 12 Levelling Up Missions: digital connectivity, education, skills, health, wellbeing, pride in place and crime.

Across nine cities, we work to support young people excluded from schools, or at risk of being excluded, and help them to develop skills for the work place. Through tailored sport and education programmes, we help to improve their physical health, support their mental wellbeing and raise their aspirations.” Zenna Hopson, Dallaglio Rugby Works CEO.

Open Goal will also see the Coalition work with its partners across multiple sectors, for example by supporting the charity Made by Sport’s aim to secure more private sector and corporate investment into targeted programmes tackling the social issues faced by young people in communities across the UK

#OpenGoals