What is ‘Here for Sport’?
Here For Sport, henceforth referred to as HFS, is a social enterprise founded in 2019 to help fight barriers to participation surrounding sport. HFS wants to make sport a more accessible and inclusive place, enabling more people to benefit from sport and engage in physical activity. There are many specific groups which face significant barriers and HFS works with Women, the LGBTQ+ Community, Black and Ethnic Minority Communities and people from areas of social disadvantage. These are key groups underrepresented within the sporting world.
However sport is inherently meritocratic, and success is largely down to the effort and work of the individual. This isn’t always reflected in the sporting world. We aim to change the culture surrounding sport, making it more accessible. HFS also aims to challenge the perception of sport as a hostile space by marginalised groups, proving that sport should and can be inclusive.
HFS raises funds through the sale of its athletic wear via its website. The profits from this are split evenly between enabling further fundraising and supporting volunteer lead, grass-root projects. Currently, HFS is working with the National Lottery, UK Sport, Sport England and other National Governing Bodies to create a rowing club working within Coventry with young gang members.
The city is incredibly diverse and suffers from a higher proportion of socio-economic deprivation. HFS is working to help transform the city, as the council and other groups are taking a keen interest in regenerating the city under the City of Culture initiative. It is also where our founder is from, so it is a personal project.
Why a Masquerade Ball?
The University has worked hard to balance high performance with accessibility, creating an incredibly special sporting community. HFS wanted to work with the University to engage the sporting community of St Andrews. HFS set up ‘The Coalition’ for clubs and athletes to join, enabling them to benefit from a support network, as well as access any funds raised. Equally, it was a great way for HFS to learn and be educated on issues across the sporting world, from equestrian to football, and find out what works. We began working the AU to create an event which would get people in St Andrews aware of HFS, what it does, and encourage them to support us by joining the coalition.
The event originally was sport based, and we do hope to run a competitive multi-sport event in the future between all the members of the coalition. Yet the AU and HFS wanted to aim bigger and engage people from across the University, from all walks of life. We decided that a masquerade ball was perfect, stressing the core values of HFS: who or what you are doesn’t matter in sport, it’s the effort you put in. Equally, there is nothing else like it currently in the St Andrews social scene, so it seemed the perfect fit.
Ball Details
The event is running on the 1st of February at the Old Course Hotel. It will be in the ballroom and starts at 8:00 until 2:00. The evening reception will start off with live music, featuring a variety of talented student musicians, before student DJ Ben Hawken takes to the stage at 11. The bar will be fully stocked with a variety of drinks, as well as a specially made cocktail. They will be accepting cash and card. All guests must remember to bring ID if they intend to purchase alcohol.
For Tickets and Details Please Visit the Here for Sport Event Facebook Page
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