Racing joins forces with The Prince’s Trust
• Sport United initiative to inspire youngsters
The British Horseracing Authority has joined forces with The Prince’s Trust in a new initiative for the sport to help young people. The project, which has the backing of the racing industry, aims to show the opportunities that exist within the sport.
Racing directly employs over 20,000 people with another 70,000 working in related sectors. The sport wants to use its network to help young people between 14 and 30 who are struggling at school, are in or leaving care, or are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
With over one million young people not in work, education or training in the UK The Prince’s Trust helps young people to broaden their horizons and believe in themselves – to get a job or go back to school.
Racing will join football, cricket and rugby in the Sport United leadership group which was launched in June this year. To help publicise the scheme four Racing Ambassadors have agreed to promote the link between the Sport and the Trust – trainer Andrew Balding, recently retired jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald , the most successful female ever in British racing, Hayley Turner and in the rising star of flat racing Richard Kingscote.
The BHA chairman Paul Roy said:
‘I am delighted that Racing has teamed up with The Prince’s Trust. It is an exciting opportunity for our sport to show how inspiring it can be. We have some extraordinary people working in racing who I am convinced will be able to help The Trust’s youngsters.’
The BHA’s chief executive Nic Coward said:
‘As soon as we began talking with the Trust it was obvious that Racing has so much to offer. We are involved in communities the length and breadth of Britain. No other sport employs so many people across such a variety of jobs and across such a wide area.’
Sport United’s objective is to in one goal – to create an active generation.
The aim is for Sport United to link the governing bodies of UK sport, sports venues, sponsors, equipment suppliers, retailers and organisations involved with sport hospitality and encourage and enable disadvantaged young people to become more physically, economically and socially active.
Racing has pledged to help the Team and xl projects by organising tours of courses, helping with work placements and employment opportunities and giving motivational talks .The first projects will be underway by the end of the year.
The Prince’s Trust transforms the lives of over 40,000 young people each year. By joining Sport United and supporting the Trust’s fundraising aims, Racing aims to be right at the heart of this vital work.
Kate Burt of The Prince’s Trust said:
‘We are delighted to have Racing as part of Sport United and believe that sport will make a tremendous contribution to our work.’
For more information contact Paul Struthers, Media Relations Manager on 0207 189 3862 or [email protected]
