Army Sport Impact Report 2024

ARMY SPORT IMPACT REPORT 2024

Army Sport can be considered an ecosystem consisting of an Army Sport Board providing strategic direction for sport in the Army and whose members serve as Trustees of the Army Sport Charitable Fund; an executive team responsible for the day to day governance, assurance and running of sport in the Army; 45 sporting associations and unions (29 of which are fully staffed by volunteers), our Corps Headquarters, and a multitude of formations and units who plan and deliver sport for our soldiers.

WHAT WE DO

Army Sport operates a lottery, a charity and enables, plans, and delivers sport in the Army from grassroots to high performance levels, primarily - though not exclusively - for serving Regular and Reserve soldiers. We do so in collaboration with a multitude of partners using public and non-public funds.

Our principal goal is to maximise participation and harness the power of sport to improve physical fitness; mental resilience; leadership; teamwork; and recruiting and retention. These outcomes help to sharpen the Army’s competitive edge and inspires a will to win that enables us to meet our core purpose, to protect the nation by being ready to fight and win wars on land.

WHO WE ARE THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT

This inaugural report seeks to highlight what Army Sport has achieved over the past financial year. These achievements, focused on maximising opportunities for our soldiers to participate in sport, have been achieved in collaboration with our close partners. These opportunities span unit to world class level, and include support for adventurous training, cadets and veterans.

We now commit to publishing an annual Army Sport Impact Report and will seek to build upon this first report in the years ahead.

WHY SPORT MATTERS

PRESIDENT OF ARMY SPORT

LIEUTENANT GENERAL C S COLLINS DSO OBE

COMMANDER HOME COMMAND AND STANDING JOINT COMMANDER (UK)

Sport really matters to our Army. It helps prepare our soldiers for operations by enhancing physical fitness, mental resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Sport fosters cohesion, the ability to thrive under pressure, promotes continual learning and the courage to overcome fear. Sport sharpens the competitive edge and inspires a will to win.

Sport also contributes to the ‘Offer’ to our people - it’s enjoyable and fun - and plays an important part in Army life, including recruiting and retention.

Put simply, sport is about investing in our people and it can play a significant role in CGS’ plan to renew the British Army. A renewal underpinned by a closer relationship with allies, partners and industry. A renewal from which we emerge more lethal, agile and expeditionary, and with ‘war fighters’ who are stronger, faster, more intelligent and more resilient.

Providing opportunities for our soldiers to participate in sport, at all levels from Unit to Army and beyond, is it itself a ‘team sport’. Our success is down to three core elements:

A cohort of brilliant volunteers across 45 authorised sports

Our partnerships

HOW WE ARE FUNDED

Army Sport’s operating budget is provided by an annual Grant-in-Aid from the Army Headquarters and an annual grant from the Army Central Fund. These funds are a critical enabler for all that we do.

DIRECT INVESTMENT IN SPORT COMES FROM TWO SOURCES:

PUBLIC FUNDS

Principally for winter sports, support to the development of coaches and officials, and the provision of sports equipment

NON-PUBLIC FUNDS

Army Sport Lottery: We thank every one of our ~ 38,000 members

Sponsorship: We thank every one of our 59 sponsors

NON-PUBLIC FUNDS

Non-public income via the Army Sport Lottery and commercial sponsorship is of vital importance and together provide the financial lifeblood that allows us to invest in sport:

ARMY SPORT LOTTERY

c£5.9M ANNUAL INCOME

£1 PER TICKET

• 70p to sport in the Army

• 27p to prize money

• 3p to operating costs

£1.6M ANNUAL PRIZE MONEY

£30K per week, doubled to £60K twice per year

“

STAFF SERGEANT LEO SIBANDA AAC

Winning the £10,000 Army Sport Lottery prize in March 2024 has been a truly transformative experience. As a sportsman I am truly grateful to the opportunities the Army Sport Lottery has presented to me having travelled to America, Barbados, Spain etc on sporting escapades I could only have dreamt of being a part of.

SPONSORSHIP

c111,000 WEEKLY TICKETS

c38,000 MEMBERS

33 WEEKLY CASH PRIZE WINNERS

c1700 annual winners

Sponsorship income - c£1.2M over the past financial year - helps to provide a broad array of sporting opportunity for our soldiers. Through sport we also have a platform to develop a closer alliance between the Army and industry. A platform that can be used to develop enduring relationships between military and industry leaders who deliberately and regularly share insights and information.

Sponsorship is a mutually beneficial arrangement for Army Sport and our commercial partners. The views of some of our Gold sponsors reflect this:

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AUSTIN LEWIS VICE PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL

Babcock is committed to supporting the UK Armed Forces. We understand that now more than ever sport is a key part of service life. We believe our support to Army Sport is an excellent way to demonstrate our commitment to serving soldiers, veterans and their families. Those participating in our sponsored sporting events have a great opportunity to develop their skills, fitness and teamwork and we are pleased to be able to back their endeavours as an integral part of Babcock’s social value programme.

GABRIELLA ARDESSI HEAD OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Leonardo is proud to support Army Sport as part of the company’s continuous commitment to generating positive social impact across our diverse stakeholders throughout the UK.

Leonardo recognises sports as instrumental to wellbeing, in particular for our Armed Forces community ever more challenged by their mission to defend our country and our people. We are honoured to continue our support.

STEVE DANIELS GROUP CHIEF SALES OFFICER

The Army holds a special place in our hearts, and so we are incredibly proud and indeed honoured to be able to sponsor multiple sporting disciplines within Army Sport. At PE, we have a long heritage of championing sports, so it is gratifying to bring a personal touch to supporting Army Sport, from grassroots to the Olympic stage.

KATE GREEN HEAD OF ARMED FORCES ENGAGEMENT

Sport is a great unifier and essential for wellbeing - sponsoring Army Sport ensures that we can continue to bring people together, remove perceived barriers and work towards a culture of unity.

NICOLAS CLARK-MAJERUS VICE PRESIDENT

Sponsoring Army Sport aligns with Saab’s commitment to fostering personal development, teamwork, and excellence. By supporting these athletes, we honour their dedication, their resilience, and contribute to the well-being and morale of Service Personnel.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS:

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

ARMY SPORT CHANNELS

ITS INVESTMENT THROUGH FOUR PILLARS:

PARTICIPATION PLACES

MAXIMISE

PERFORMANCE

PARTICIPATION IN SPORT

PARTNERSHIP

PARTICIPATION

Maximising participation in sport is our main effort and upwards of 55,000 soldiers participated in sport over the past year. During the past financial year, we invested half of our non-public funds – circa £4.1M - into Participation.

£4.1M

£2.2M £520K £66K

£1.1M £167K £54K

- TOTAL

- 45 SPORTS - 14 CORPS

- OVERSEAS SPORTS VISITS AND TRAINING CAMPS

- EUROPEAN MASTERS GAMES, FINLAND

- REGIONAL COMMAND GRANT

- DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

£2.2M INVESTED ACROSS 45 SPORTS

A

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR 45TH AND NEWEST SPORT: ESPORTS

In February 2024, the UK Armed Forces Sports Board approved the introduction of esports as an authorised sport within Defence. In so doing, esports became the Army’s 45th sport.

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LIEUTENANT COLONEL TIM ELLIOTT SCOTS PRESIDENT BRITISH ARMY ESPORTS

While in some obvious ways distinct from traditional sports, esports provide particular benefit in teamwork, communication, and recruitment. Attracting and retaining a modern, technically literate cohort is essential to Defence. By incorporating an activity that was already occurring at scale across Defence, Army Sport adjusts to modern practices to Be The Best.

£1.1M INVESTED IN OVERSEAS SPORTS VISITS AND TRAINING CAMPS

170 50 49 3000 VISITS AND CAMPS

PARTICIPANTS

ADVENTUROUS TRAINING EXPEDITIONS SUPPORTED

COUNTRIES VISITED

£520K INVESTED ACROSS 14 CORPS

In the past financial year the Army Sport Board invested £520k in Corps sport. The grants awarded to 14 Corps supported the planning and delivery of sport for all, and recognition of sporting achievement.

£167K EUROPEAN MASTERS GAMES, FINLAND

In June 2023, 200 Army masters athletes travelled to Finland to take part in the European Masters Games - part of the International Masters Games Association. They achieved an impressive medal haul:

As the only military team participating in these European Masters Games, the Army team enhanced the British Army’s reputation amongst an international community.

COMMAND GRANT

The Regional Command grant supported 71 sporting events across 24 sports in all regions of the UK. Events included Festivals of Sport and Brigade level competitions that benefitted more than 8,000 soldiers.

HQ Centre’s Festival of Sport in July 2023 was a grassroots sporting event that united more than 500 soliders from 22 units. Competition took place across 8 sports to earn the title of ‘Battle for Centre Champions’. The minor unit champions were the Mission Ready Training Centre; the major unit champions were the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.

During the period of the report Army Sport provided 14 discretionary grants that included support to ice hockey, brazillian jujitsu, triathlon, precision rifle shooting, archery and badminton.

SUPPORT TO ENGAGEMENT

“COLONEL RICHARD HALL MBE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF ENGAGEMENT AND UK OPERATIONS TRAINING, HEADQUARTERS REGIONAL COMMAND

Army Sport has been a force multiplier supporting the Home Command-led ‘Engage to Recruit’ operation. Army Sport is one of the reasons the Army really stands out amongst a crowded, competitive field of employers and it has, over the last year, become a central plank in the physical and digital civil engagement and outreach operation.

The British Army Motorsport Association exemplify this activity and are present at a plethora of shows and events across the country and Army Rugby Union is working on a series of digital collaborations to use the Inter-Services Championship as an engagement platform – as well as helping with the outstanding collaboration that was ‘The Rugby Pod’.

With too many individual and club projects to mention, Army Sport’s contribution to Engage to Recruit is best considered as a ‘10th Regional Point of Command’. With active digital and physical programmes, it has national and international reach and represents some of the most innovative and generationally relevant activity that the Army has mustered in several years. With applications to join the Army running at a six year high since August 2023, Army Sport can rightly be proud of the important role it has fulfilled in supporting recruiting.

SUPPORT TO OVERSEAS DEFENCE ENGAGEMENT

Army Sport has continued to support Defence Engagement activity including:

WESTERN BALKANS

In June 2023, Army Women’s Football supported a Defence Engagement initiative to the Balkans to promote women in sport. During the visit the team supported community projects in Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The visit helped to demonstrate how sport can build bridges and reduce barriers, irrespective of language, ability, gender or race.

EGYPT

In September 2023 the Army Polo team visited Egypt to support Defence Engagement priorities:

GARETH BAYLEY OBE

BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT

When I see what everyone did to make the Polo event a huge success, I only have one feeling: pride in UK

PAKISTAN

In November 2023 the Army Polo Team also visited Pakistan:

JANE MARRIOTT CMG OBE

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO PAKISTAN

Thank you for your team’s visit to Pakistan and the excellent engagement opportunity that this provided. It was a triumph of soft power and hugely valuable in further cementing the UK/Pakistan relationship.

RETENTION

Sport contributes to ‘The Offer’ to our people and participation in sport can improve purpose – the worth our soldiers gain from their employment. Sport can therefore support unit and organisational retention. Soldiers responding to the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude survey 2023 tell us that: 50%

of Army personnel reported that ‘opportunities for sport’ increased their intention to stay in the Army.

A similar percentage of Army Officers (49%) and Army Other Ranks (50%) reported that ‘opportunities for sport’ increased their intention to stay.

49% 6TH

Opportunities for sport’ features in the top 10 (joint 6th) of factors influencing Army Survey respondents’ intentions to stay.

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Sport is the lifeblood of the Battalion; it is a critical component towards the development of fighting power. The additional benefits of retention and high morale underline the importance of sport.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL

PHIL HOBBS COMMANDING OFFICER

8 TRAINING BATTALION REME

Sport is vital to bring personnel together to work in teams that would not normally do so. The sense of wellbeing and achievement from competitions encourages the Reserves to continuously improve their own fitness standards. We use the outcome and participation in sport as a way to congratulate our personnel and this aids retention and communication. The media gained from sporting events is one of our best recruitment tools.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL

GEORGIE SYMONDS COMMANDING OFFICER

165 PORT AND MARITIME REGIMENT

RLC

£509K

£472K

£37K

- TOTAL - ARMY ELITE SPORT PROGRAMME

- INTERNATIONAL COMPETITOR GRANTS

ARMY ELITE SPORT PROGRAMME

The Army Elite Sport Programme principal partners are: UK Sport, UK Sports Institute and the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

10

18

SPORTS

125

48

29

51

TASS ATHLETES

64 HIGH PERFORMANCE ARMY ATHLETES FULL TIME ATHLETES NATIONAL LEVEL ATHLETES

SPORT SCHOLARS

12

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITOR GRANTS COUNTRIES COMPETED IN

PARIS OLYMPICS 2024

We have several Army athletes striving to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games:

“CORPORAL STEVE COX RLC ROWING

Being a full-time athlete has been crucial for me in the build-up to the Paris Olympics. The Army has been very supportive, and I hope to execute the best performance I am capable of at the Olympics. I hope to do the Army, Army Sport and Zimbabwe proud in Paris.

“ SECOND LIEUTENANT KARENZA BRYSON RLC MODERN PENTATHLON

I am extremely grateful to my Regiment and to Army Sport for their unwavering encouragement and support during my journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Let’s hope I can bring home a medal for Team GB and the Army this summer!

“

SERGEANT SAM GOWIN RA TARGET PISTOL

I’ve been supported by TASS as a full-time athlete on my sporting journey. I use all elements of TASS when required but rely a great deal on sport psychology. TASS has always supported me as an athlete. Thank you Army Sport.

PARTNERSHIPS

£180K

£100K

£50K

£30K - TOTAL - ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING GROUP

- THE ULYSSES TRUST

- ARMED FORCES PARA SNOWSPORT TEAM

Army Sport partners with the Ulysses Trust - who support the development of the Volunteer Reserves and Cadets - and the Army Adventurous Training Group (AATG) that seeks to develop team and individual leadership and resilience. Army Sport also provided a grant to the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team that uses adaptive snowsports to enhance the recovery of wounded, injured and sick personnel, both serving and retired.

ARMY ADVENTUROUS TRAINING GROUP

£100K

Many of the complex and high-end expeditions cannot be achieved through public funding alone and often require additional non-public funds. These funding sources make these expeditions both feasible and accessible to all ranks and cap-badges. Army Sport is the most significant donator of such funds and enables many of the more adventurous expeditions to go ahead. This greatly contributes to the recruitment, retention and effectiveness of Army personnel.

WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 2 ROB MORRIS AGC (RMP) -

PICTURED ABOVE

DRAGON LIONS CLIMB 2023 was a fantastic oppotunity, thoroughly enjoyed by the diverse group from across the ranks and branches of the Adjutant General’s Corps. A once in a lifetime experience for many of us, climbing some of the highest peaks in the area, only made possible with the financial support of Army Sport.

THE ULYSSES TRUST

The funding from Army Sport has made a significant contribution to the support given to cadet units undertaking Adventurous Training and community-based projects.

“

POLLY MARSH DL CEO THE ULYSSES TRUST

Planning and participating in expeditions develop valuable life skills including initiative, leadership, self-confidence, judgement, working with others and physical well-being. These characteristics can significantly help young people reach their full potential as effective contributors to their communities, and to employers, and as role models within society as a whole. For cadets especially, not only are they a valuable aspect of youth engagement, but young people from very different backgrounds sharing challenges and hardship together means expeditions are among the most effective vehicles to help social mobility, cohesion and inclusion.

ARMED FORCES PARA SNOWSPORT TEAM

£30K

ELIZABETH WINFIELD

COO AFPST

The Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team (AFPST) want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible support that Army Sport has provided. Without your unwavering commitment and generosity, we would not be able to offer the life-changing journeys to our amazing and inspiring athletes.

Your contributions have enabled us to cultivate a strong community of athletes, coaches, and supporters who are dedicated to nurturing the talents of our injured wounded and sick service personnel and veterans.

On behalf of the entire team, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Army Sport. Your support has made a significant impact in transforming lives and shaping dreams. We are profoundly grateful and hope to continue the journey together.

PLACES

£3M

£880K

£750K

£712K

£702K

- TOTAL - CHATHAM SPORTS PAVILION

- CATTERICK WAVELL SPORTS PAVILION

- ABINGDON ARMY BOATHOUSE AND CREW ROOM

- GOSPORT ARMY OFFSHORE SAILING CENTRE

Army Sport has invested c£3M over the past financial year - in collaboration with funding partners - in new sport facilities for the Army and the wider community. This includes provision of pavilions, sports equipment storage and enhanced training facilities. This investment has supported growth in participation across Army and community users.

CHATHAM SPORTS PAVILION

£880K

The Chatham Sports Pavilion replaced a former pavilion that was lost in a fire. The new pavilion was funded in collaboration with the Nuffield Trust and the Royal Engineers Association.

The pavilion has increased participation in sport across military and community users. As well as up to date changing facilities the pavilion has a large area for events, training courses and meetings. This modern usable space for sport and welfare has attracted a wide variety of users, including a Medway Council sponsored holiday activity programme for disadvantaged families.

SERGEANT SCOTT NELSON RE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

1 ROYAL SCHOOL OF MILITARY ENGINEERING REGIMENT

Having four changing rooms and separate official changing rooms has made a massive difference. Being able to spread out and not having to deconflict with other sports teams using the facility means it’s one less worry about timings. We have also started to use the social space after games to host the opposition and have used the kitchen to make brews before a fixture. We are now getting used to utilising the pavilion and using it to its full potential next season.

The Catterick Wavell Sports Pavilion, co-funded by Army Sport and The Nuffield Trust, has been instrumental in supporting a growth in participation. This modern sports pavilion has created a centralised hub for sport and welfare use and is used by military, civilian and youth clubs fostering greater links between the Garrison, local clubs, schools and welfare organisations.

The Wavell Sports Pavilion has had a significant positive impact on wider sporting activity in the Garrison, with increased numbers from both the military and civillian communities participating. This has enhanced stronger links with local clubs and organisations across the area.

CATTERICK WAVELL SPORTS PAVILION

CATTERICK GARRISON

AND CREW ROOM

£712K

The new Army boathouse and crew room has enabled much stronger relationships with local clubs and charities. It has also underpinned a 40% increase in participation in rowing and canoeing. This culminated in the Army winning 14 of the 21 races at the recent Joint Services Regatta.

BRIGADIER

ADAM McRAE MBE PRESIDENT, ARMY ROWING CLUBS ASSOCIATION

The new Army boathouse and crew room has catalysed the sport and afforded the club the chance to welcome both established athletes and those new to the sport. After a lull for several years during which the old boat house was demolished and the new one built, activity and enthusiasm has really taken off.

ABINGDON ARMY BOATHOUSE

GOSPORT ARMY OFFSHORE SAILING CENTRE

MAJOR GENERAL ADRIAN REILLY COMMODORE ARMY SAILING ASSOCIATION £702K

The new Army Offshore Sailing Centre at Gosport was a two-year project to convert a Grade II listed building into a new headquarters, equipped with training rooms, equipment stores and offices for the Army Sailing Association’s instructors and coaches. A collaboration between Army Sport, the Nuffield Trust and Historic England, the new centralised location provides increased links to local and Joint Services sail training and a centralised location for coaching and instruction. This has provided the space to hold an increased number of courses, with greater participation from Service personnel as well as civilians and veterans.

“

Completion of the new training centre secures Gosport as the long-term home of the Army Sailing Assocation’s Offshore Sailing Centre; an integral part of Army Sport.