What Street League does

Street League is a UK-registered charity founded in 2004 and headquartered in Manchester that uses sport as an engagement mechanism to deliver employability programmes for young people aged 16-30, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. It operates as a youth-focused nonprofit (England Charity No: 1101313, Scotland Charity No: SCO38884) with no equity investors or shareholders, governed by a board of trustees and a Youth Board of former participants. The organisation delivers a portfolio of programmes — Academy (12-week employability curriculum), Female Academy, Functional Skills Academy, Job Club, Street Sports, Modern Apprenticeships, Dundee Enable Academy, and the Liverpool Trailblazer Academy — across 11 UK regions including London, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Perth, and Highland/inverclyde locations, with active expansion into North Scotland (Inverness, Dingwall) and the Highlands in 2026.

The technology backbone centres on a Dataiku-powered impact dashboard, built in-house by a Principal Data Scientist under an AI-for-Good partnership with Dataiku (announced October 2025), which analyses programme participation, demographics, and outcomes across geographies. The Academy model combines sport-based engagement with employability skills training, qualifications (Functional Skills, CSCS, Customer Service), mental health and wellbeing support, CV workshops, mock interviews, and direct employer placements. All workshops and qualifications are aligned to the Skills Builder Universal Framework, with self-reflective progress tracking at weeks 1, 5, and 10 of each cohort. 2024-25 was a record impact year, with 3,079 young people joining programmes and 1,016 securing employment — the first time crossing 1,000 jobs in a single year.

Street League generates no revenue from programme participants; all services are delivered free of charge. The charity is funded through a diversified mix of corporate partnerships (17 named partners including CVC, Compass Group, Standard Chartered, Barclays LifeSkills, DHL, adidas Breaking Barriers, Santander Foundation, Big Yellow Self Storage, and Wagamama), trust and foundation grants (notably a £300,000 national-partner donation from The Barratt Foundation in 2024), government and combined-authority contracts (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, North Ayrshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Council, Job Centre Plus referrals), and individual donations. Distribution is community-led via referrals from Job Centre Plus, local councils, schools, and family support workers, with corporate-partner networks acting as both funding channels and demand-side employer pipelines; 65% of participants are drawn from the most deprived communities in the UK.

Name

Street League

Legal name

Street League

Website

https://streetleague.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Street League is a UK charity that uses sport as an engagement hook to deliver employability programmes for disadvantaged young people aged 16-30. Operating Academy programmes across 11 UK regions, it combines sport-based outreach with qualifications, skills training, and corporate-partner job placements to move participants into employment, education, or training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Employment and Employability Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF)

Keywords

• Youth employability programmes
• Sport-based training
• Vocational training services
• Charity youth services
• Employment support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Grants: Street League operates as a registered charity (England Charity No: 1101313, Scotland Charity No: SCO38884) funded primarily through donations, corporate partnerships, and grants from trusts, foundations, and government bodies. All services for young people are provided free of charge.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide funding, volunteering, awareness, and pro bono advice. Partners include seventeen named companies across various industries. Most partnerships contribute to Academy operations with skills-based volunteering, CV workshops, mock interviews, and some offer paid work placements and jobs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Street League runs free sport-based employability programmes for young people aged 16-30 across the UK, delivered through community Academy sessions that combine physical activity with CV workshops, mock interviews, qualifications (Functional Skills, CSCS, Modern Apprenticeships), and direct employer engagement. The charity supplements its core Academy with female-only programmes, dedicated disability support academies, and modern apprenticeship pathways across Business Administration, Hospitality, Warehouse & Distribution, and Leisure industries. All services are provided at no cost to participants and are funded through donations, corporate partnerships, and government grants.

Product overview

Street League operates as a unified sports-for-employment charity offering a portfolio of interconnected programmes centred on its core Academy model. The Academy serves as the primary vehicle, delivering employability support through sport-based activities, CV workshops, mock interviews, and qualifications. This core offering is supplemented by specialised tracks including the Female Academy (female-only safe spaces), Functional Skills Academy (literacy/numeracy), Job Club (direct employment support), Street Sports (physical activity as engagement hook), and Modern Apprenticeships (vocational training in four industries). Regional variants such as the Dundee Enable Academy and Liverpool Trailblazer Academy adapt the core model to local needs and funding partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academy
• Female Academy Female-only academy providing a safe, supportive environment for young women to develop confidence, essential skills, and career pathways through sport and education. Launched in Liverpool and London in 2025.
• Functional Skills Academy Programme focused on building foundational literacy, numeracy, and digital skills alongside employability training.
• Job Club Structured employment support service providing CV writing, interview preparation, job search assistance, and career guidance for job seekers requiring additional help.
• Street Sports Sports and physical activity sessions promoting health, wellbeing, and community engagement as a gateway to broader employability support.
• Modern Apprenticeships Vocational training programmes in Business Administration, Hospitality, Warehouse Storage and Distribution, and Leisure industries, lasting 9-12 months with on-the-job assessment.
• Dundee Enable Academy Specialised academy programme in Dundee supporting young people with additional support needs to progress into employment.
• Liverpool Trailblazer Academy Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Community Grants programme delivered in partnership with VOLA, focused on employability and essential skills for young people aged 18-21 in the Liverpool City Region. Launched January 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8% more likely to gain employment within 12 months (DWP Employment Data Lab)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• All in Highlands PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2025Partnership launching employability service in Highlands in 2026 for 16-24 year olds with delivery teams in Inverness and Dingwall.
• Skills BuildercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Partnership providing the Universal Framework for essential skills development. All workshops and qualifications mapped to framework components (Speaking, Listening, Problem Solving, Creativity, Adapting, Planning, Leadership, Teamwork). Framework used as self-reflective tool for tracking progress weeks 1, 5, and 10.
• DataikucoreTechnology or Integration · 29 October 2025AI-for-Good partnership providing Dataiku platform tools for Street League's in-house Principal Data Scientist to create dynamic dashboards analyzing programme data. Head of Compliance and Data Scientist spoke at Dataiku Summit in London.
• Car Valeting GlasgowminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Local partnership providing hands-on car valeting training sessions at Garscube Sports Centre for Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire academy groups.
• Tayside Street League AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2025Supported Freya's journey from severe anxiety and isolation to sustained employment at McDonald's through personalised support.
• WagamamaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2025Hosted Insight Day at Noodle HQ for Street League London participants with interactive hospitality industry sessions and networking.
• Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2025Partnership providing community learning programmes for adults across Greater Manchester. Tahira earned MAES CLF Achiever of the Year 2024/25.
• Laureus World Sports AwardsminorOthers · 30 April 2025Street League nominated in Sport for Good category at 25th Anniversary awards. Usain Bolt and Christian Eriksen visited Street League programme as part of celebrations.
• Big Yellow Self StorageminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2025Provided 12-week paid placements leading to permanent employment. Hosted CV and mock interview workshops at London King's Cross store. Big Yellow Foundation volunteers supported programmes.
• Compass Group UK & IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2024Partnership via Constellation creating learning and job opportunities. 46 young people given roles (29 London, 17 Glasgow). Utilising Xcelerate with Edgbaston in Birmingham for rolling Academy Programme. Aligns with Compass 'Our Social Promise' to impact one million lives by 2030.
• Ryan McCuaigminorOthers · 2 August 2023Scottish solicitor, activist, and motivational speaker from Glasgow. Ambassador bringing perspective on poverty, education, and widening access. Previous Chair of Who Cares? Scotland.
• Standard CharteredcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2023Partnership to increase young people's financial and digital skills. Also delivers female empowerment programme to young girls in schools.
• adidas Breaking BarrierscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 20235-year commitment to breaking down barriers for women and girls across Europe. Funding Street League Champions to develop inclusive sports projects. Supported all-girls football tournament with 100+ participants at Powerleague Shoreditch.
• Barclays LifeSkillscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2023National partnership focused on supporting young people into work with regular volunteering at local Academies and Barclays offices.
• Skills Development ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2022Key partner in Argyll and Bute region for supporting young people's transition to positive destinations.
• Job Centre PluscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 November 2022Referral partner in Oban and Helensburgh directing young job seekers to Street League programmes.
• Kash FarooqminorOthers · 6 June 2022Ex-British Bantamweight Boxing Champion ambassador. Visits academies to deliver boxing sessions and inspire young people. Wants to increase diversity and BAME community engagement.
• Fast Forward (Scottish Gambling Education Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Four-year partnership delivering gambling harm workshops to young people across Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Ayrshire, West & East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire & Inverclyde). Over 450 young people reached. Street League is pilot organization for new Work Charter. All front-line Scotland staff trained on gambling harms.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Access Sport: UK charity using sport to engage under-served children and young people in disadvantaged communities. Comparable to Street League in sport-based engagement approach and focus on inclusion, though Access Sport leans more towards volunteer-led club activation than employability outcomes.
• Think Forward (formerly Getting Connected): UK charity providing one-to-one coaching and employer engagement to help disadvantaged young people transition into sustained employment. Comparable to Street League in coaching-led methodology, NEET target cohort, and employer partnership model, but at a smaller scale.

Direct peers

• The King's Trust (formerly The Prince's Trust): The UK's largest youth-focused charity, helping 11-30 year olds into education, training, and employment through programmes, mentoring, and employer partnerships. Directly comparable to Street League in target demographic, employability outcomes, and corporate partnership model, but operating at materially greater scale.
• Sported: UK charity supporting community sport groups to use sport as a tool for social change, including youth employability and education outcomes. Comparable to Street League in sport-for-development methodology and community-led delivery, though focused on capacity-building rather than direct delivery.
• Generation UK: UK delivery arm of the global Generation employment charity, running employer-designed bootcamps and job placement programmes for young people facing barriers to work. Comparable to Street League in target demographic, employer-led curriculum, and outcome-based placement focus.
• Catch22: UK social business delivering education, training, and employability programmes for disadvantaged young people, with similar referral channels through Job Centre Plus and local authorities. Comparable to Street League in cohort focus (NEET young people), funding mix (government and corporate), and outcomes-based commissioning model.
• Movement to Work: UK consortium of major employers providing paid work placements and pre-employment training to disadvantaged young people. Directly comparable to Street League in audience (16-30 NEETs), corporate partner composition, and placement-driven outcomes, with a strong overlap in named partners.
• Resurgo: UK charity using coaching, sport, and the arts to help unemployed young people into work, with a similar 'hook' approach to Street League. The closest direct peer in terms of using sport and personal development to drive employability outcomes for disadvantaged young people.
• Youth Employment UK: UK charity focused on youth employment policy, advocacy, and programme delivery, including the Youth Voice Census and employer-led programmes. Comparable to Street League in audience and policy positioning, with overlap in employer partnership ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Centrepoint: Major UK youth homelessness charity providing housing, training, and employment support to 16-25 year olds. Comparable to Street League in target demographic and multi-stakeholder funding model, but broader in scope (housing is a major programme line).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/streetleagueuk
• Xx.com/StreetLeagueUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/streetleagueuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/street-league

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Street League