WIREDGOV

The North Lambeth and North Southwark’s Sport Action Zone (SAZ) is using the power of sport to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in their area, by providing regular and free access to sports sessions and facilities. Thanks to the project, more than 7,500 people from the area have taken part in sport.

The BBC Power of Sport Award, supported by Sport England, recognises real projects that have made a difference in the community and the SAZ is a leading example of this.

The SAZ is a community outreach project designed to increase sports participation in disadvantaged communities, where participation is normally low. By helping people to get active, the SAZ has had a hugely positive effect on their community, including improving GCSE grades and reducing anti-social behaviour. It offers year-round access to sports facilities for football, basketball, dance, athletics and tennis which are open to schools, individuals and local clubs.

At the centre of the North Lambeth and North Southwark SAZ, is the Lilian Baylis Community Hub. Formerly a closed-down school, Lilian Baylis has been transformed into what is now one of the best examples of community hub in the country.  The site has inspired visits from a number of high profile role models including Kelly Rowland (ex-Destiny’s Child), Michael Jordan and LeBron James, which has been a real boost for the community.

Last year, the SAZ team organised a Youth Achievement Awards, and winner of the Award for Mentoring in Educational Training & Employment was Arron Miller. Arron was originally referred to the SAZ from the Youth Offenders Service. He enrolled on one of their training programmes and undertook sports coaching and youth work training courses which have changed his life. He began his new career as a volunteer and then got a job delivering peer mentoring and coaching sessions for a number of partnership organisations. Since winning the award, he has landed his dream job running a London-wide peer mentoring ambassadors’ programme for the Home Office.

Brian Dickens, Director of the Sport Action Zone, said:

"We're delighted to have gained this high profile recognition for our way of working and the impact it has on our community. The success of the Sport Action Zone is really down to our network of partners, dedication to our community and the coordinated way we provide sport for local people. I very much hope this will help us secure a longer lease on Lilian Baylis so that we can continue growing our work."

David Holdsworth, Controller BBC English Regions, added: "All of our Power of Sport award winners are making a real difference through sport to the lives of people in their communities.  Finding and telling these fantastic stories back to our audiences across England are at the heart of what the BBC is here to do, so we're delighted to be part of these awards."

Sport England is supporting the BBC Power of Sport Award. Jennie Price, Sport England’s Chief Executive said:

“This award celebrates the power of sport to improve lives and enrich local communities. The Sport Action Zone proves just what can be achieved when you have great ideas backed by dedicated people.”

Notes to Editors:

You can read a full profile of the Sport Action Zone by going to their case study page

For more information on the BBC Power of Sport Awards, supported by Sport England, please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/8296653.stm

Sport Action Zone

• In 2008/2009, the SAZ had 161,361 attendances, from 7,694 participants
• 68% of these participants were from disadvantaged communities and 80% were from Black and Minority Ethnic communities (BME)
• Achievement at GCSE level on the Aylesbury Estate has more than doubled since the SAZ project began in 2002.

Sport England

Sport England invests National Lottery and Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.

Sport England is committed to creating a world-leading community sport system, and has set specific and measurable targets to achieve by 2012/13:

• One million people doing more sport
• A 25% reduction in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who drop out of at least five key sports
• Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
• A measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their experience of sport
• A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports offer for children and young people.