StreetGames and Yorkshire Sport Foundation have launched their Kit Out campaign in Sheffield – giving used sports kit a new lease of life and enabling more children and young people to take part in life enhancing physical activity. Contributions are welcome to help make this campaign a huge success.

A lack of access to suitable sports kit is a significant barrier to participation in physical activity: 74% of surveyed community sports leaders said young people are less likely to take part without the right kit. For young people growing up in low-income, underserved communities, where opportunities to play sport and be active are already limited, this can make all the difference.

Child poverty in Sheffield is a significant and worsening problem. The city has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, with around one in four children living in poverty. Financial barriers and cost of living challenges mean that kit is not a priority for local families, leading to stigma and embarrassment for children. For young people growing up in low-income, underserved communities, where opportunities to play sport and be active are already limited, this can make all the difference.

The Kit Out project has been designed to remove this critical barrier, opening up access to physical activity as well as reducing waste and diverting used clothes from landfills.

During September and October, 25 Kit Out collection points for unneeded sports clothing will be open across Sheffield. All donations will be cleaned and redistributed to local young people and families.

Please do have a sort out and visit your nearest drop off point to donate. You can also spread the word about the campaign and share details of the drop off points to help encourage donations.

What can be donated?

• Sports tops
• Hoodies
• Leggings and joggers
• Waterproofs
• Trainers and boots
• Balls (rugby, football, etc)
• Small sports equipment

When can I donate?

Monday 15 September to Wednesday 15 October

Where can I donate?

• Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park – Steel City Stadium
• Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park – Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre
• Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park – Canon Medical Arena
• Everyone Active – Concord Leisure Centre
• Everyone Active – English Institute of Sport (EISS)
• Everyone Active – Heeley Pool and Gym
• Everyone Active – Hillsborough Leisure Centre
• Everyone Active – IceSheffield
• Everyone Active – Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
• Everyone Active – Springs Leisure Centre
• Leisure United – Sheffield Graves Hub
• Leisure United – Sheffield Thorncliffe Hub
• Leisure United – Sheffield Westfield Hub
• Leisure United – Woodbourn Road (Darnall)
• Places Leisure – Graves Health and Sports Centre
• Places Leisure – Wisewood Sports Centre
• Places Leisure – Thorncliffe Health and Leisure Centre
• Sheffield Hallam University – Sports Park
• Sheffield Hallam University – Pearson Building
• Sheffield United Community Foundation – Bramall Lane (Blades Family Hub)
• Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Community Programme – Jubilee Sports & Social Club
• University of Sheffield – Goodwin Sports Centre
• University of Sheffield – Norton Sports Park
• University of Sheffield – Goodwin Sports Centre
• ZEST