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A new three-year collaboration aims to create more inclusive opportunities for disadvantaged and disabled children and young people through community sport.
This will support Children’s Right to Play and Leisure under article 31 of the united nations right of the child and also article 23 while also supporting Article 23, ensuring that children with disabilities can participate fully in community life with dignity, independence and equal opportunities” and supports Manchesters recognition as a child friendly city
Access Sport and Manchester City Council are proud to announce a new strategic partnership that will work to break down barriers to participation and create more inclusive sporting opportunities for children and young people across Manchester.
The partnership, running from April 2026 to March 2029, brings together Manchester’s commitment to tackling inequalities through physical activity and Access Sport’s expertise in developing inclusive community sport programmes.
Together, the organisations will focus on ensuring that more young people, particularly those who are disabled, disadvantaged, or currently excluded from sport, can access the life-changing benefits of being active, including:
- Supporting more than 45 community clubs to become stronger, more inclusive and sustainable
- Upskilling 200+ coaches, volunteers and young leaders
- Engaging 675+ new children and young people through expanded community sport opportunities
- Reaching 200+ young people through inclusive events, festivals and taster sessions
Over the past four years, Access Sport has supported more than 26,000 disadvantaged and disabled young people across Greater Manchester to access inclusive sport opportunities. Through this new partnership, both organisations will build on that success and target support where it is needed most.
The collaboration is centred around a shared ambition: creating a city where every child and young person, regardless of background, ability or circumstance, can experience the physical, mental and social benefits of sport.
The partnership will deliver impact through three connected workstreams:
Building Manchester’s Disability Inclusive Sport Network
A strengthened inclusive sport network will bring together clubs, community organisations, schools and local partners with a shared commitment to disability inclusion.
The network will support the development of inclusive sports provision across the city and deliver regular multi-sport festivals and events that connect disabled young people with new opportunities in their local communities.
By creating stronger links between organisations, clubs, families and young people, the network aims to create lasting system-wide change across Manchester.
Place-Based Club Development
Access Sport will work directly with clubs in priority communities across Manchester to help them become more inclusive, sustainable and accessible.
This support will include:
- Disability and neurodiversity inclusion training
- Workforce and volunteer development
- Opportunities for young people to take up leadership roles in clubs
- Support to create new inclusive sports activities where provision does not currently exist
Over the lifetime of the partnership, more than 45 clubs are expected to benefit from tailored support, helping young people access new opportunities in their local area.
Creating Social Impact Through Major Sporting Events
As a global sport destination, Manchester’s major sporting events will be used as a catalyst for community engagement and inclusion.
Working alongside event organisers and local partners, the partnership will deliver community activations, taster sessions, outreach programmes and club development initiatives designed to inspire participation long after events have finished.
This approach ensures that the legacy of major events extends beyond the stadium and delivers tangible benefits for local communities.
Helen Rowbotham, CEO of Access Sport, said:
“We are delighted to be formalising this partnership with Manchester City Council. Together, we have an opportunity to create meaningful and lasting change by tackling the barriers that prevent too many children and young people from accessing sport. By combining our expertise, local knowledge and shared commitment to inclusion, we can help ensure that every young person has the opportunity to belong, develop and thrive through sport.”
Councillor Shazia Butt, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Libraries, Manchester City Council, said:
“We are thrilled to be working with Access Sport, whose dedication to breaking down barriers and widening participation closely reflects Manchester’s vision for a more active, healthier and inclusive city. Through this partnership, we can help ensure that the ways we encourage residents to move more are accessible and welcoming to everyone, particularly those from groups that have traditionally faced barriers to taking part. Together, we are helping to create a city where everyone has the opportunity to be active, connected and thrive.”
The partnership represents a significant investment in Manchester’s communities and reflects both organisations’ commitment to creating a more inclusive and active city.
By strengthening local clubs, developing inclusive opportunities and placing young people’s voices at the heart of decision-making, Access Sport and Manchester City Council are laying the foundations for a more equitable sporting future across Manchester.