THE GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST FOUNDATION

Champions League winner and former Dutch Captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst started his foundation in his hometown of Rotterdam, but wanted to expand the support to young people in other cities where he had played. Athlead conducted needs assessments and partnership mappings across various locations, and developed and implemented a specialist summer programme to help children at risk of neglect prepare for transition to secondary school. Athlead also designed and implemented a participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) strategy to demonstrate effectiveness, leading to the Foundation being shortlisted for the global Beyond Sport Awards, and recognition by the UEFA Foundation as best in class, securing a €150,000 matched grant to allow Gio and his team to continue their impactful work in communities across Europe.

THE JONNY WILKINSON FOUNDATION

England Rugby icon Jonny Wilkinson, also a committed mental health advocate, wanted to help increase the resilience of and support for young people. Athlead helped achieve this by working with Jonny and his Foundation, to conduct a detailed operational and strategic review, at a time of transition. This culminated in the launch of Jonny’s NSPiRED programme, designed to support those in teaching roles inspire the younger generation to live their fullest lives.

MOLLY “MEATBALL” MCCANN

MMA star Molly “Meatball” McCann’s courage inside the Octagon is matched by her fierce advocacy outside the ring. Athlead has supported Molly to develop cohesive advocacy strategies, with clear calls to action that help her use her unique platform to generate wider support for the causes close to her heart.

THE OFFSIDE TRUST

The Offside Trust is a survivor-led organisation founded in 2016 by several courageous former footballers who suffered abuse as young players. Its aim is to support adults who experienced child sexual abuse in sport and to make all sport safer for children. It amplifies survivors’ voices, raises awareness, and works with clubs and governing bodies to strengthen safeguarding across the game. Athlead provided early strategic support to the Offside Trust, helping to professionalise its plans and stakeholder engagement as the organisation took shape. Athlead also helped the Offside Trust gain funding and recognition for its work, including winning several awards and crafting advocacy strategies for national and international media appearances.

KYNISKA ADVOCACY – ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Kat is a board member of Kyniska Advocacy, the UK’s only athlete-led, sport-wide safe sport organisation.