First introduced at UK Sport’s annual Event Partners Day, researchers from Loughborough will work alongside Access Sport, Coach Core Foundation, and StreetGames to deliver impact during the LA 2028 cycle and beyond.
The project ties in with UK Sport’s recently launched Making Live Sport Matter initiative, a new major event strategic framework that is committed to continuing to embed social impact into events as a priority.
As part of the agreement, Loughborough University will partner with UK Sport on social impact at a strategic level. The organisations will work to develop a centralised social impact strategy and structure for the sector, driven by scalable solutions, evidence-based methodologies, and best practice examples.
Professor Jo Maher, Loughborough University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport, said: “We’re extremely proud to have been named as a social impact partner for UK Sport. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our university’s strategy of ‘creating better futures, together’ and we’re committed to delivering meaningful change.
“Our enviable sports ecosystem, including our stand-out academic staff, Loughborough Sport’s world-class athletes, coaches, practitioners and volunteers, will all play a key role in tangibly evidencing the value that major events bring to places across the UK in relation to social impacts. We look forward to continuing our efforts and driving impact where it matters most.”
UK Sport’s Head of Events Esther Britten said: "Our ambition is to use the platform of major events hosted in the UK to deliver meaningful, societal change into host communities.
"By establishing these partnerships and making them available to the sector, we believe that they will supercharge the work already being carried out by event hosting partners or help deliver on their ambitions that they don’t have capacity to achieve. These four organisations have the expertise, networks and influence to make a real difference in this area."
Dr Verity Postlethwaite, Loughborough University’s co-lead on the project added: “This is an exciting moment for the project team as the support from UK Sport and Loughborough University will allow us to strengthen meaningful partnerships and utilise our research and innovation in a valued way.
“The opportunity to work alongside the major events sector to tackle and build solutions to evidencing the social impact from events is extraordinary and we are energised to use this collaboration to foster equitable benefits for groups across the events landscape.”
