switch the play foundation
Switch the Play Foundation is the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting all sportspeople through transition to life beyond sport, delivering human-led mentoring, masterclasses, mental health support, career guidance and bursaries, funded via donations, corporate partnerships and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersMacclesfield, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What switch the play foundation does
Switch the Play Foundation is a UK registered charity (number 1187733) headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, founded in 2016 and converted from social enterprise to registered charity status in 2020. It is positioned as the only UK charity dedicated to supporting sportspeople across all sports to transition successfully into life outside competitive sport, addressing documented problems such as the 62% post-career mental health prevalence among retired rugby players and the fact that 89% of athletes need to work after sport for financial security.
The service portfolio comprises a free Switched On membership programme as the engagement hub; a confidential TEAMmate mental health support line launched in 2020; a free Career Pathways Service launched in 2021 with Centrum Solutions; the Life Beyond Sport Bootcamp (a six-week course normally valued at £500+); the fully-funded Evolve & Thrive nine-month programme with a £1,000 bursary; the Champions 2003 Player Support Fund offering grants of up to £10,000 for former rugby players; and 13 distinct masterclass modules covering transition readiness, transferable skills, financial wellbeing, mental health and personal branding. Delivery is human-led via online masterclasses, in-person workshops at clubs, and one-to-one mentoring by former professional athletes; there is no proprietary technology platform.
The charity is funded through diversified streams: individual donations and fundraising events (Brighton and Manchester Marathons, Bath Half Marathon, Great South Run, cycle challenges, the Big Give Christmas Challenge); corporate partnerships (Barclays, CSM, Centrum Solutions, St James's Place Wealth Management, DOCIAsport); and grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, People's Postcode Lottery, Sporting Chance Prize Draw and foundations such as the Jacobs Futura Foundation. Customer segments span individual sportspeople, sporting organisations (governing bodies, clubs, player associations), and corporate partners. Since 2020 the charity has supported over 1,000 current and former sportspeople and operates across the United Kingdom only.
switch the play foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- switch the play foundation
- Legal name
- Switch The Play Foundation
- Website
- https://switchtheplay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Switch the Play Foundation is the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting all sportspeople through transition to life beyond sport, delivering human-led mentoring, masterclasses, mental health support, career guidance and bursaries, funded via donations, corporate partnerships and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
switch the play foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Athlete Transition Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Athlete Post-Career Transition & Career Placement (Broadcast, Coaching, Business) (MPAKAMAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Behavior Change & Motivational Coaching (HSADAGAF)
Keywords
Where switch the play foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Macclesfield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
switch the play foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Giving: The charity relies on donations from individuals, supporters, and the general public. They run regular fundraising campaigns including The Big Give Christmas Challenge and accept donations through their website.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners support and help develop programmes through funding and the creation of opportunities for sportspeople. Partners include Barclays, Centrum Solutions, CSM, and various sports organisations.
- Grant Funding: The organisation receives grant funding for specific programmes such as the Champions 2003 partnership providing up to £10,000 grants to rugby players. They also partner with National Lottery and other funders.
- Fundraising Events: Revenue generated through charity places in running events (marathons, half marathons), cycle challenges, and other sporting events. Entry fees and fundraising targets form part of this stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free membership with discounted access to services |
| Freemium | One-time | Life Beyond Sport Bootcamp - free for athletes |
| Subscription | Annual | Evolve & Thrive Programme - fully funded with bursary |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
switch the play foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Switch the Play Foundation provides free or heavily subsidised support services that help sportspeople prepare for and navigate life after competitive sport. Its portfolio spans a free membership programme (Switched On), a confidential emotional support helpline (TEAMmate), 13 modular masterclasses, the six-week Life Beyond Sport Bootcamp, the Career Pathways Service, and the fully-funded nine-month Evolve & Thrive programme with bursaries. Services are delivered directly to individual athletes and through partner organisations such as England Futsal, Chelsea FC, Leicester Tigers, and Wasps Rugby.
Product overview
Switch the Play Foundation operates as a comprehensive athlete transition support ecosystem rather than a single product. The core offering centers on the Switched On membership programme, which serves as the hub for athlete engagement. Supporting this are specialized services including TEAMmate for emotional support, Career Pathways Service for employment guidance, and the Life Beyond Sport Bootcamp for intensive transition preparation. Educational delivery occurs through 13 distinct Masterclass modules covering topics from transition readiness to financial wellbeing. The organization also delivers targeted partnerships such as the Champions 2003 Partnership for rugby players and the England Futsal Performance Pathway Partnership, alongside programmes like Evolve & Thrive that provide structured nine-month support with mentoring and bursaries. All services are designed to help athletes successfully transition into life outside of competitive sport.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Switched On Free core membership programme providing athletes with tools, support and resources to plan their transition out of sport and develop their life outside of sport.
- TEAMmate Mental Health Support Service Specialist emotional support service providing athletes with a safe place to talk to trained individuals and receive confidential listening support and signposting.
- Masterclasses Selection of educational modules designed to prepare sportspeople for life outside of sport, including Introduction to Transition, Transferable Skills, Brand of You, Self Awareness, Emotional Resilience, Maximising Your Network, Presentation Skills, Leadership & Corporate Governance, Control the Controllables, Financial Wellbeing, Mental Health Awareness, Take and Give Care, and Building Your Legacy.
- Life Beyond Sport Bootcamp Six-week online course designed to prepare athletes for transition out of sport, offering weekly masterclasses, group coaching sessions, and a personal action plan.
- Career Pathways Service Free career guidance service helping athletes find the right path after sport through CV development, interview skills, work shadowing, placements, and corporate partnerships.
- Evolve & Thrive Programme Fully-funded nine-month programme supporting former professional athletes with mentoring, career support and a bursary of up to £1,000.
- Half Turn Service supporting sportspeople through career transition and life outside of sport.
- Champions 2003 Partnership Programme Partnership with Champions 2003 Foundation providing rugby players with mentoring, wellbeing support, career development, and grants of up to £10,000 for education and training.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,000 current and former sportspeople supported since becoming a registered charity in 2020
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use switch the play foundation
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
switch the play foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
switch the play foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
37 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Champions 2003 FoundationcoreJoint partnership to launch a Player Support Fund providing grants of up to £10,000 for former rugby players. The fund supports access to career development opportunities through accredited education and training, helping players progress towards careers beyond professional rugby.
- England FutsalcoreEngland Futsal partnered with Switch the Play to provide athletes across their Performance Pathway with access to mentoring and personal development opportunities. Over 200 male and female players receive support including introductory workshops, in-person masterclasses, and free access to the mentoring programme. The partnership supports athletes to thrive both in sport and beyond.
- YOUR Personal TrainingcorePartnership creating new opportunities for athletes by providing structured support as they transition from elite sport into sustainable careers in the fitness industry. Includes personalised mentoring, career guidance, mental wellbeing support, and pathways into fitness industry qualifications and careers.
- All HeartcorePartnership supporting sportspeople to explore and deliver a social purpose. Delivered Brand of You with Social Purpose Life Skills sessions to academy players. Partnership helps athletes understand their social impact potential.
- DOCIAsportcoreDOCIAsport is the wellbeing partner of Switch the Play. They co-deliver the Take and Give Care masterclass focusing on mental health issues surrounding athlete transition. DOCIAsport has won awards for their mental health consultancy work.
- St James's Place Wealth ManagementmajorSupports delivery of the Financial Wellbeing masterclass, providing financial education to sportspeople. The partnership helps athletes understand financial planning for life during and beyond their sporting career.
- Centrum SolutionsmajorSpecialist recruitment provider partnering to support the Career Pathway Service. Provides access to opportunities within the commercial world for athletes transitioning from sport.
- CSMmajorCSM Partners with Switch the Play Foundation as a strategic partnership supporting sportspeople transition support services.
- The Mintridge FoundationmajorLong-standing partnership delivering masterclasses and training to Mintridge ambassadors. Joint mental health first aid training initiatives.
- BarclayscoreExclusive Athlete Transition Programme partnership opening doors to careers in banking for athletes. Provides career pathway opportunities beyond sport.
- UK SportmajorPartner organisation supporting elite athletes. Collaboration on athlete welfare and transition support programmes.
- Sport EnglandmajorPartner organisation supporting sport in England. Collaboration on athlete development and welfare initiatives.
- The Football Association (FA)majorPartnership supporting football players with transition and personal development programmes.
- League Football Education (LFE)majorPartnership supporting apprentice footballers with transition training and life outside sport preparation.
- Netball Players AssociationcorePersonal development partnership supporting UK netballers with transition and career preparation services.
- EFLmajorPartnership with English Football League supporting players across member clubs with transition services.
- Mental Health UKcoreMental health partnership supporting athlete mental health awareness. Collaboration on mental health resources and support services including TEAMmate programme.
- Future Fit TrainingminorCareer pathways partnership in the health and fitness industry providing qualifications and career opportunities for athletes.
- IncludabilityminorNew partnership with Includability supporting the mission to help athletes beyond professional sport.
- Omnia Sports GroupminorTransformative partnership announced in December 2023 supporting Switch the Play Foundation's mission.
- Isle of Man Sport AidcorePartnership providing bespoke TEAMmate mental health support to high-performing Manx sportspeople. Addresses unique challenges of elite sport on the Isle of Man.
- University of GloucestershiremajorJoint development of MSc Professional Practice in Lifestyle Management in Sport, the first postgraduate degree dedicated to lifestyle management in sport. Collaboration on education and practitioner training.
- Bath UniversityminorAcademic partnership supporting athlete development and transition research.
- Wasps RugbymajorMen's and women's rugby teams receiving online masterclasses during lockdown and ongoing support.
- Wasps NetballminorNetball team partnership supporting players with transition services.
- Wasps LegendsminorWasps former players association partnership supporting retired rugby players.
- Manchester United FCmajorPartnership supporting Manchester United players and alumni with transition support.
- Leicester Tigers RugbymajorLong-standing partnership with Leicester Tigers including retired player support and 20th Anniversary Dinner raising £20,000.
- Brighton & Hove AlbionminorPartnership supporting Brighton & Hove Albion players with transition services.
- Chelsea FCmajorPartnership delivering Brand of You with Social Purpose sessions to academy players. Collaboration on social purpose initiatives.
- Arsenal FCminorPartnership supporting Arsenal players with transition and development programmes.
- Scottish RugbyminorPartnership supporting Scottish rugby players with transition services including the Beyond the Final Whistle event.
- Edinburgh RugbyminorPartnership supporting Edinburgh Rugby players with transition support.
- Women in FootballminorPartnership supporting women in football with transition and career development.
- BUCSminorPartnership with British Universities & Colleges Sport supporting student athletes.
- AoC SportminorPartnership with Association of Colleges Sport supporting college athletes.
- Life After Professional Sport (LAPS)corePartnership with LAPS for careers events including Adidas careers event. Collaboration on supporting athletes with life beyond sport.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
switch the play foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dame Kelly Holmes Trust: UK charity supporting elite athletes and young people through personal development and life after sport. Most direct analogue to Switch the Play's athlete transition mission, operating in the same niche with a similar charitable model.
- Sporting Chance: UK charity providing mental health, counselling, and wellbeing support specifically for professional and elite athletes. Directly comparable to StP's TEAMmate emotional support service and mental health masterclasses.
- British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA): Independent association representing British elite athletes' interests, with which Switch the Play has partnered. Operates in the same niche of athlete welfare and transition advocacy.
- State of Mind Sport: UK charity improving awareness of mental health issues within sport. Closely comparable to StP's mental health and wellbeing services, with a similar charitable funding model.
- The Mintridge Foundation: UK charity delivering personal development and wellbeing programmes through sport to young people and athletes. Existing StP partner operating in adjacent athlete development space.
- Life After Professional Sport (LAPS): UK organisation supporting athletes with life beyond sport through careers events and education. Existing StP partner with substantially overlapping mission around athlete career transition.
Broad incumbents
- Professional Footballers' Association (PFA): The union representing professional footballers in England and Wales, providing education, wellbeing, and post-career transition services. Larger and better-resourced incumbent delivering overlapping transition support within football.
- Rugby Players Association: The representative body for professional rugby players in England, offering personal development, education, and post-career transition services. Comparable incumbent operating within rugby union - a key sport for StP.
- Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA): Representative body for professional cricketers in England and Wales, providing education, wellbeing, and transition support. Broader incumbent offering comparable player support within cricket.
Regional players
- Game Plan: Canadian non-profit providing holistic support for high-performance athletes through and beyond their sport careers. Conceptually closest international analogue to StP's transition model, serving a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
switch the play foundation social profiles
Digital presenceswitch the play foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
switch the play foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
switch the play foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
switch the play foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about switch the play foundation
What does switch the play foundation do?
Switch the Play Foundation provides free or heavily subsidised support services that help sportspeople prepare for and navigate life after competitive sport. Its portfolio spans a free membership programme (Switched On), a confidential emotional support helpline (TEAMmate), 13 modular masterclasses, the six-week Life Beyond Sport Bootcamp, the Career Pathways Service, and the fully-funded nine-month Evolve & Thrive programme with bursaries. Services are delivered directly to individual athletes and through partner organisations such as England Futsal, Chelsea FC, Leicester Tigers, and Wasps Rugby.
Is switch the play foundation a public or private company?
switch the play foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was switch the play foundation founded?
switch the play foundation was founded in 2016.
Where is switch the play foundation based?
switch the play foundation is headquartered in Macclesfield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does switch the play foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Giving is the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships, grant Funding and fundraising Events.
Who are switch the play foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Sporting Chance, British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA), State of Mind Sport, The Mintridge Foundation and Life After Professional Sport (LAPS). Broad incumbents are Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), Rugby Players Association and Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA). Game Plan is listed as a regional player.
Does switch the play foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for switch the play foundation.
What industry is switch the play foundation in?
switch the play foundation's product category is Athlete Transition Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAMAL, Athlete Post-Career Transition & Career Placement (Broadcast, Coaching, Business), with a secondary code of HSADAGAF, Behavior Change & Motivational Coaching. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.