Sports heroes turn out to give Derbyshire a ‘sporting chance’

Famous faces from the world of sport will be at Derbyshire County Cricket Ground this Friday to celebrate the launch of Kitbag Heroes, an exciting new social enterprise from Spirita, the organisation behind the award-winning RedWelly.

Ross Davenport and Leon Taylor, members of Team GB’s 2008 Olympic and Paralympic squad, will join local dignitaries and members of the local business community to show their support for Kitbag Heroes; an innovative solution that addresses community sports needs and opportunities.  A new star attraction putting on a live display on the day is John Whetton, who will represent the UK in the World Freestyle Football Championships in Brazil next month.

Kitbag Heroes has a simple but realistic approach to community sport.  It harnesses the power and passion of sport to change lives for the better by challenging local organisations to make a positive impact on local communities.  With a catalogue of identified sporting needs and projects in the communities where we live and work, Kitbag Heroes is looking for businesses to take out a membership and unleash the hidden talent that lies in their workforce; a talent to coach, mentor and support.  It really couldn’t be simpler or more rewarding. 

Phil Smith, Director of Kitbag Heroes, explained further:  “We are very excited about Kitbag Heroes.  We all know that whether taking part, coaching or cheering from the sidelines, there is an intrinsic pleasure to be derived from sport.  By brokering with local businesses whose workforce has an abundance of sporting talent we can make sure that people not only have access to sporting opportunities but they can receive coaching and support as well  Together we can give people the chance to get active, have a great time and possibly help turn someone’s life around while we’re at it!”
“We have obtained matched funding of £75,000 from Sport England which will fund the scheme for two years, by which time we hope that it will be fully sustainable.”

Joanne Dolphin, an Assurance Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the participating companies, said:  "PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is delighted to support the Kitbag Heroes programme.  Kitbag Heroes offers our people the opportunity to put something back into their communities, in activities important to them as individuals. In return, our support in allowing them the time and space to do this helps us ensure that PricewaterhouseCoopers is a great place to work for all our people, and our volunteers are powerful ambassadors for the firm."

Kitbag Heroes will be trialled in Derbyshire, where local authorities such as Amber Valley, Bolsover and South Derbyshire District Councils have already agreed to work within the scheme.  If, as expected, the project proves successful it will be expanded across the whole East Midlands.

If you think that Kitbag Heroes can help your community project please contact the Kitbag Heroes team on 01159 248577 who will be happy to marry your project up with the relevant support.

Contact details for companies wishing to get involved.

Louise Wheatley on 0115 924 8584.

Terri Reynolds on 0115 924 8577.

Media Enquiries:  Sallie Blair, 01283 821012 / 07702 541401.