Yorkshire Sport Foundation

What Yorkshire Sport Foundation does

Yorkshire Sport Foundation is a lottery-funded charity (company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales) that promotes sport, physical activity and movement across South and West Yorkshire. Operating since 2001 and headquartered in Morley with offices in Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and Wakefield, the organisation serves grassroots sports clubs, schools, local authorities, NHS partners and underserved communities across nine local authority areas (Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield). Its primary constituents are children and young people reached through Active Schools, School Games and the Opening School Facilities consortium (251,543 pupils reached across 1,580 schools in the consortium programme), and grassroots sports clubs supported by an embedded Sport Welfare Officer team.

The organisation delivers a portfolio of safeguarding and welfare services (Sport Welfare Officers, Sport Welfare Connect quarterly forum, free workshops such as Active Bystander and Buddle, and UK Coaching certified chargeable courses), community and inclusion programmes (the Yorkshire and Humber Anti-Racism in Sport Group, KEEP kit donation partnership, Pride in Diversity Awards), and a Data and Insight function that produces the Yorkshire Sport Map, the Insight Data Partnership product and a Learning Bank. Technology is operational rather than productised: SportSuite powers booking, newsletters and opportunity listings; the org is OpenActive Enabled, supporting open activity data standards. Core technology differentiators are integration/interoperability (data tools) and ease-of-use (Learning Bank), not proprietary software.

Revenue is dominated by National Lottery (Sport England) funding distributed via the Active Partnerships model, supplemented by fee income from chargeable UK Coaching certified training (e.g. £15 Mental Health Awareness course), data partnership services to other Active Partnerships and local authorities, and consortium contributions for programmes such as Opening School Facilities. Pricing is split between free workshops for clubs and providers and pay-as-you-go / group-booking chargeable courses. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: Sport Welfare Officers deliver in-person support across the region, and engagement flows through newsletters (YSF Weekly, YSF Club Chat, regional Schools newsletters, Safeguarding Newsletter) plus events like the Move More Conference and Coach Development Week.

Name

Yorkshire Sport Foundation

Legal name

Yorkshire Sport Foundation

Website

https://yorkshiresport.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Yorkshire Sport Foundation is a lottery-funded charity promoting sport, physical activity and movement across South and West Yorkshire, delivering safeguarding training, embedded Sport Welfare Officer support, school-based programmes and data services to sports clubs, schools, NHS partners and local authorities in nine local authority areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sport Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Sports Compliance, Governance & Integrity Services (Safeguarding, Anti-Doping, Match Integrity) (MPAKAKAM), Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management (MPAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Sport development services
• Safeguarding training
• Physical activity promotion
• Community sport charity
• Data insight services

Headquarters

HQ city

Morley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. National Lottery Funding: As a lottery-funded charity, Yorkshire Sport Foundation receives funding from the National Lottery to support their mission of promoting sport and physical activity across Yorkshire.
2. Data Partnership Services: Insight Data Partnership product turning partner data into impact reports, providing a revenue stream for data services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Yorkshire Sport Foundation is a lottery-funded charity that promotes sport, physical activity, and movement across Yorkshire, primarily serving sports clubs, schools, local authorities, and community organisations. Its core offerings include safeguarding and welfare services (Sport Welfare Officers, training courses, audits), Data and Insight services (research, mapping, Insight Data Partnership, Learning Bank), Active Schools and School Games programmes for children and young people, workforce development and Lead the Change leadership initiatives, and Tackling Racism in Sport and inclusion programmes for underserved communities.

Product overview

Yorkshire Sport Foundation is a lottery-funded charitable organization focused on sport and physical activity promotion across Yorkshire. Rather than offering a unified software product, it provides a portfolio of consultancy and support services including an in-house Data and Insight Team offering research, mapping, and evaluative reports; the Insight Data Partnership product for turning participation data into impact reports; and the Learning Bank for organizational learning. Its Safeguarding division delivers Sport Welfare Officer support, training workshops (Active Bystander, Buddle, NSPCC, UK Coaching courses), and the Sport Welfare Connect quarterly networking forum. Additional services include Active Schools programs, School Games coordination, Lead the Change leadership initiatives, and OpenActive data-opening support. The organization operates across South and West Yorkshire local authority areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sport Welfare Officer Services
• Safeguarding Training Courses
• Insight Data Partnership
• Learning Bank
• Data and Insight Team Services
• Sport Welfare Connect
• Active Schools Programme
• School Games Programme
• Lead the Change
• Tackling Racism in Sport Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 251,543 pupils and 93,264 community members engaged through Opening School Facilities programme
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• British TriathloncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2025Active Bradford (YSF partner) launched three-year partnership with British Triathlon to develop Swim Bike Run Neighbourhoods in Keighley and Holmewood. Part of Triathlon England's BIG Active Strategy targeting 12 priority areas.
• OpenactivecoreTechnology or IntegrationYorkshire Sport Foundation is part of the Openactive programme to support people working with data to transform the sport and physical activity sector. They are OpenActive Enabled and committed to opening activity data so it is as easy to find and book a dance class as a hotel room.
• BuddlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Buddle (Sport England's club support programme) to produce Active Bystander video addressing racism and discrimination in sport. Buddle created an animated video exploring key safeguarding principles with YSF participation.
• UK CoachingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYSF Sport Welfare Officers deliver UK Coaching certified courses including Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Welfare Officer Training (Time to Listen), and Safeguarding Adults. Courses bookable through YSF for multiple learners or individual booking.
• Active Partnerships NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF is part of the national network of Active Partnerships. The network includes 63 local Sport Welfare Officers embedded within Active Partnerships to support NGBs and clubs. Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO) leads consortium initiatives.
• NSPCCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF delivers NSPCC Introduction to Voice of the Child workshop, developed with the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU). NSPCC helpline (0800 800 5000) referenced for safeguarding support.
• Ann Craft TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organizations to safeguard adults and minimize risk of harm. YSF provides information about Ann Craft Trust resources for sports clubs on disability and safeguarding.
• Youth Sport TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Opening School Facilities consortium. YSF contributed to OSF programme alongside Youth Sport Trust which developed toolkit for schools to unlock facility potential for community use.
• StreetGamescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Opening School Facilities consortium. StreetGames delivers NextGen Young Leaders programme and Youth Voice consultation sessions. They supported workforce development through Training Academy.
• ukactivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Opening School Facilities consortium. ukactive provided qualitative evaluation report for the programme. YSF shares information about ukactive's Safer Spaces to Move guidance.
• MindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF developed Safety Nets Programme referenced in Mind's Safe and Effective Practice support package. The programme worked with CAMHS teams and local sports foundations to support children on mental health waiting lists.
• We Are Undefeatable CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF supports the We Are Undefeatable campaign led by 16 leading health charities, funded by National Lottery. Campaign targets 15 million people with long-term health conditions to build physical activity into their lives.
• Safeguarding PartnershipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF works with Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnerships across 9 local authority areas: Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield for safeguarding coordination.
• Yorkshire and Humber Anti-Racism in Sport GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF established and supports this group working to combat racism in sport at all levels across Yorkshire and Humber. Group aims to make the region the kindest, friendliest and anti-racist place to enjoy sport.
• Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership (KEEP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership including Active Leeds, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Zero Waste Leeds, Leeds United Foundation, Action for Sport, Freedom4Girls, Run For All. Distributes unwanted sports kit to people who cannot afford it.
• Yorkshire and Humber Learning Community (YH Learning)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts variety of online learning for anyone delivering exercise, sport or wellbeing in community settings, clubs or schools. Topics include autism support, LGBTQ+ inclusion, engaging women and girls.
• The Children's SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers Child Exploitation training for sports clubs across the North. YSF collaborates to deliver sessions on spotting signs of child exploitation.
• Ivison TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKeeps children safe from exploitation by supporting parents, disrupting offenders, working with police and family services. YSF includes their resources in safeguarding partnerships.
• Melanoma FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF promotes Sunguarding resources including free 2-hour online module with 3 CIMPSA CPD points. Survey shows 72% of coaches have never received sun safety training.
• Safe Sport InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes Safe Sport Day (August 7). YSF promotes the pledge for sport clubs to commit to making sport safe for every child.
• South Yorkshire Children and Young People's AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads Asthma Friendly Clubs Initiative across South Yorkshire. YSF Sport Welfare team supports delivery of the accreditation process for clubs.
• ROKT FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial impact initiative in collaboration with local NHS Recovery College for Calderdale & Kirklees, supported by Andy Man Club partnership. Delivers climbing courses for mental health recovery.
• Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons' TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSF published blog from Mosaic Trust executive director about creating active spaces for young LGBT+ people as part of Pride month activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ukactive: UK trade body for the physical activity sector, providing qualitative evaluation, research, and policy advocacy. YSF is a partner in the Opening School Facilities consortium with ukactive; comparable as an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct deliverer of regional services.

Direct peers

• Active Sussex: Active Partnership covering Sussex, delivering sport and physical activity programmes with schools, clubs, and the NHS. Operates an almost identical service portfolio to YSF including data insight, safeguarding, and active schools work.
• Active Bradford: Active Partnership partner of YSF covering the Bradford district, partnered with British Triathlon on Swim Bike Run Neighbourhoods. Functionally a sub-regional peer delivering the same Active Schools, Club Development, and safeguarding services.
• Youth Sport Trust: National charity partner of YSF in the Opening School Facilities consortium, focused on PE and school sport. A direct operational peer delivering Active Schools, School Games, and workforce development across England, often co-funded by the same lottery streams.
• StreetGames: National charity partner of YSF in the Opening School Facilities consortium, delivering sport in underserved communities. Operates the same NextGen Young Leaders and Youth Voice programmes YSF is associated with, targeting similar demographics.
• London Sport: Active Partnership serving London with a focus on physical activity and tackling inactivity. Mirrors YSF's community-led, place-based approach, partnership model with local authorities, and lottery funding structure.
• Greater Manchester Moving: One of the 43 Active Partnerships in England covering Greater Manchester, delivering place-based sport, physical activity, and inequality programmes. Operates the same Sport England-funded model as YSF, with comparable data, safeguarding, and community sport services.

Regional players

• Sport Wales: National sport agency for Wales distributing National Lottery and public funding to grassroots sport. A broader incumbent that fulfils the same intermediary role between government/funders and grassroots clubs as YSF, but at country level.
• sportscotland: National sport agency for Scotland, distributing public funding and supporting grassroots sport and physical activity. Plays the same national intermediary role as YSF but across Scotland rather than a single English region.

Emerging players

• Sported: UK charity supporting grassroots sport clubs and community groups with capacity building, training, and funding advice. Overlaps with YSF's club support, workforce development, and safeguarding training, but does not coordinate a single regional Active Partnership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/westyorkshiresport
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Yorkshire-Sport-Foundation/61583672721308
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yorkshiresport
• Xx.com/YorkshireSport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yorkshire Sport Foundation