Where we work Yorkshire
Current Programmes
Skills & Education
Our education programmes harness the power of sport to support learners who may be at risk of disengaging with education or who...
Inclusive Disability Sport
SportWorks has extensive expertise in providing sport and exercise services for children and young adults with disabilities. Our sessions are...
Community & Inclusive sport
Through the power of sport. We inspire individuals and engage communities.
Our sports programmes use the ‘power of sport’ to tackle a range of issues such as crime, anti-social behaviour, community cohesion and social mobility. We deliver diversionary activities and work with partners such as the Police and Youth Offending Teams to provide positive pathways for participants.
We also focus on developing life and social skills whilst raising aspirations. We have a solid track record of supporting participants to excel and be the best they can be ensuring they benefit from fun, friendships and fitness.
Meet the team
Matt Hill
Managing Director
Matt Hill
Managing Director
Matt joined SportWorks in 2018 having worked for a leading sports charity for ten years. Matt oversees our Regional Hubs on a national scale, developing new partnerships and business relationships to support more people to become physically active.
Matt has a strong background in both strategic planning and management of large projects within the sports and education sectors. A qualified teacher, Matt has extensive experience of designing, managing and delivering impactful programmes to young people, families and adults within a range of community settings.
Outside of work, Matt is a keen in sport and fitness fan and enjoys spending time with his young family.
John Newton
National Operations Manager
John Newton
National Operations Manager
John is responsible for everything quality related at SportWorks, including delivery, staff development and training throughout the country. He liaises directly with Regional Managers to ensure the standardisation of delivery and customer service are conducted to the highest possible standard.
John joined SportWorks in 2018 and before this he enjoyed ten-years of success within charitable foundations of both professional Football and Rugby Union clubs. John is highly qualified with a BSc Hons Applied Sports Coaching and recently obtained an International Diploma in Project Management. His knowledge in the sport and health and well-being sector makes John a great mentor for the development and training of our national staff, providing logistical and strategic support.
Away from work, John is a big sports fan and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, daughter and son.
Craig Holcroft
Craig Holcroft
Craig Holcroft, a former Teacher and leader spent six year leading in two schools before bringing his extensive expertise to SportWorks. Complementing his teaching background, he holds a Masters in Coaching and Leadership, adding a strategic dimension to his role.
Appointed to lead the North West and Midlands regions at SportWorks, in 2023, Craig has set ambitious goals, aiming to double participation rates in these areas by 2025.
Craig is an avid runner but passionate about all sports, especially Rugby and Crossfit. Craig can be reached at craig.holcroft@sportworksltd.co.uk
Who we work with
Through the power of sport, education and wellbeing, we make a positive impact to the nations wellbeing.
Community Organisations
Ranging from sport clubs, community centres such as Wakefield Thornes Cricket Club, Slazenger Sports Club.
Charities
Our partnership with local charities include Art Works, Sheffield Foyer
Schools and Colleges
We have several key school and college partnerships which host our education and skills programmes.
Local Authorities
Our work has been continuously supported by several local authorities such as Barnsley, Calderdale, Doncaster, Sheffield, Wakefield.
“The Access to FE collaboration with SportWorks has been a very successful programme. The level of professionalism and expertise from the tutors has been excellent. They have worked closely with our hard to reach learners, who have learning, behavioural and emotional difficulties to support them and guide them through developing skills in sports and sports leadership. From the early sessions in which they struggled to speak up in front of their peers and found organising and planning a challenge. They have all grown in confidence, ability and maturity; developing and building on their employability and sports skills. All participants have been able to plan, deliver and manage a coherent sports activity for a group of teenagers from ESOL back grounds. The language barrier presenting an additional challenge for the student sports leaders who had to use their leadership skills of patience, resilience and tolerance as well as developing non-verbal skills and using demonstration as a key leadership tool. All participants in the programme greatly enjoyed the sessions and feel that they have improved their knowledge and experience of working in sports.
The programme has been most beneficial to one particular learner who started Access to FE last year as an extremely shy individual, who did not communicate with his peers and was very reluctant to speak up in class. Since taking part in the sports works programme, he has practiced speaking out in front of others, developed his team working and communication skills and experienced a huge learning curve delivering sessions to his peers. This learner has had a challenging year with the death of his father, and despite taking time off his regular college classes to cope with this, he always attended the sports works session as he did not want to miss out.
Two students have been accepted onto the college’s level one full time sports course next year and 2 are going onto do public services in which they will continue to have sports sessions and be able to build on their leadership skills.”
Our programmes and services
Short Breaks
SportWorks has extensive expertise in providing sport and exercise services for disabled children. Our model has been designed to improve the health and wellbeing of young people who take part while also providing an opportunity for respite for parents and carers.
Primary School Services
Fully Funded PE, Sport and ActivityProgrammes
Outstanding Primary PE
Understanding Disability in Sport
Community sport and well-being programmes
Supporting local projects to overcome local issues, be it inactivity, social engagement or lack of provision.
Holiday Activity with Food (HAF) Programme
Supporting the national effort to provide children to stay active, gain nutritional knowledge and have at least one meal a day during school holidays.
Case Studies
Case Study: Enhancing Wellbeing for Adults with Additional Needs
The Sport Works “Move to Impove” project
Doncaster Summer Holiday Activity Programme
Summer Holiday session of Sports, Games, and Fun Activities for young people with Disabilities. We provide a wide range of...
Inaugural Sport Gives Back awards to be screened on ITV
Grass roots heroes, who transform the lives of others through sport, will receive much-deserved national attention as the Sport...
Sport Works drive National Holiday Activity and Food Programme
As we reflect on our Easter holiday provision, the impact of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) has been...
Support our work
If you want to become one of our corporate partners or you are a trust or foundation, this is the route for you...
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