In our digital culture surrounded by “influencers”, young people need sporting role models more than ever. It is important to have people in their lives to emulate and be inspired by. They need to see what is possible to achieve. As well as establishing healthy habits at a young age, putting them on the right track to develop strong well-being both mentally and physically through to adult life. 

This is where the work of the Mintridge Foundation comes in.

The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. They provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models - Sporting role models that share their aspirations and successes, and often more importantly their anxieties, insecurities and failures with the 4 to 18 year olds that the charity works with. This approach humanises the superstars that are only seen on the screen – someone so talented and important is giving their time to help and inspire and what’s more, is that their honesty reassures those that they are speaking to.

Mintridge’s team of Ambassadors - Olympians, Paralympians, and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, the ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology to build a lasting legacy for individuals. Advice from them really sinks in, they are not a teacher, parent or carer but they are an adult. The stardust of Double Paralympic Gold Medallist, Danielle Brown MBE’s Great Britain tracksuit or Eboni Usoro – Brown’s Commonwealth Gold Medal makes young people sit up and listen, radiating respect.

The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities, and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport.  The Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation.

The Mintridge Foundation is very fortunate to have the support of Little Big Sports, particularly navigating the difficult period of Covid – 19. This support has come in the way of prizes for our Minty’s Boredom Busters with our nutrition partners at Nibble Protein as well as a brilliant half term raffle. Working with organisations that have the same energy to positively influence physical activity means a huge amount to the Foundation and Little Big Sports.

Watch this space for more collaborations to help inspire the next generation.

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The Mintridge Foundation was founded by Alex Wallace (nee Paske) in 2015, and since then Mintridge has worked with over 50,000 young people. Alex was awarded the 2018 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year in the Grassroots Category, the Women of the Future Sport Award in 2017 alongside Dr Sarah Leiter and she is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society.