The Commonwealth Games Federation has launched the Commonwealth Sport Foundation, the new charitable foundation of the Commonwealth Sport Movement with ambitions to help address some of the challenges facing communities around the Commonwealth.
The establishment of a charitable foundation is a key objective in the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s Transformation 2022 strategy – which repositions the Commonwealth Games beyond a quadrennial sporting spectacle towards a wider Movement which benefits communities through sport every day across the Commonwealth.
The Foundation has been launched during the 90-year anniversary of the inaugural British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930 and has five strategic development priorities.
It will focus on: Youth Empowerment; Equal Rights; Historical Injustice; Small States and Island States; and Sustainable Cities & Communities.
Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin said: “There has never been a more important time to fully realise the potential and impact of Commonwealth Sport.”
“Commonwealth citizens and communities are faced with urgent issues and challenges impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic, compounding longstanding or systemic issues relating to poverty, conflict, climate change, racial inequality, discrimination, economic uncertainty, health and wellbeing, education, the digital divide and post-colonial legacies.”
“However, as we reflect on how far we have come since the very first Games in 1930, and our shared history, global and cultural diversity, I passionately believe we can be united by our common ambitions and collective impact, as well as our past.
“Through the Commonwealth Sport Foundation, inspired by our engaged athletes and communities, our aim is to shape a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous future generations across the Commonwealth.”
Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips says the Commonwealth Sport Foundation will provide the opportunity to develop projects that benefit communities throughout the Commonwealth.
“The 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth face different and unique challenges, however we all share many of the goals of the Commonwealth Sport Foundation,” Phillips said.
“For Commonwealth Games Australia, youth empowerment, equal rights and redress of historical injustice align with our values of inclusiveness and respect and all components of our ‘First Among Equals’ strategic plan.”
“Commonwealth Games Australia looks forward to working with the Commonwealth Sport Foundation on the delivery of projects across Australia and more broadly throughout the Oceania region, to help address these challenges.”
The Foundation was foreshadowed during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, in part to compliment the Games Athletes Programme (GAP), a CGF initiative created to financially and strategically support talented competitors to participate at the Commonwealth Games.
The GAP was a critical factor in Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, British Virgin Islands and Dominica winning their first Commonwealth Games medals at Gold Coast 2018.
The Commonwealth Sport Foundation will focus its efforts on five key areas
(Commonwealth Games Federation)
Formally registered as a charity in the UK, recruitment to the independent board of the Commonwealth Sport Foundation has commenced.
Partnership, project and fundraising strategies are at the early stages of development and work has started on a £3.5m development fund, enabled through the 2022 Commonwealth Games Host City Contract, ensuring the vision, legacy and benefits of Birmingham 2022 are brought to life across the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth through sport.
