The partnership between KCL and Alive and Kicking isn’t just about producing beautiful handmade sports balls; it is about creating a positive impact too. Thanks to KCL’s support, 1,395 young people will gain regular access to sport, two sports coaches will be trained to deliver award-winning mental health education all year round, and one new full-time job will be created for an adult who has never had a job before – all through the production of a sports ball like no other.
Ben, Alive & Kicking
31 January 2022
New Partnership with Alive & Kicking
King's Sport
King’s Sport have partnered with Alive & Kicking, a social enterprise that creates jobs for local communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Founded in 2004, Alive & Kicking is the world’s only not-for-profit ball manufacturer with centres across sub-Saharan Africa that create hundreds of ethical jobs for adults facing disadvantage.
A+K have created 1,074 jobs between 2019-20 alone, with 90% of employees having never had formal work before and 85% of employees have gone onto education, training, or other employment.
Not only does the organisation empower local communities, but it also provides access to sport, coaching and mental health education as well as donating balls to children facing disadvantages.
Proceeds from selling balls in the country and fundraising through A+K UK contribute to training local community coaches and schoolteachers to deliver vital health education through sport. Every year they reach thousands of young people through their network of trained youth educators.
King’s Sport are delighted to be working in partnership with Alive and Kicking to demonstrate how both organisations are committed to making the world a better place. Through this collaboration, we can engage our community to be more physically active and positively impact communities in Africa, supporting economic and social progress.
Anthony Currie-Webb, Head of Sport
King’s Sport has worked with Alive & Kicking for several months to develop a custom-made ball line. The balls will serve as equipment for the BeActive programme, an award-winning activity programme available for staff and students.
Working with King’s Residences, King’s Sport will also provide selected halls with their very own Ball Library, a free borrowing scheme that gives access to equipment for recreational sport.
The King’s community can also claim their very own Alive and Kicking ball for free through the King’s Move app, which rewards participants with points when they track their physical activity.
Follow King's Sport on Instagram to hear about new developments in the coming months.