Stefan Ferencz reports:
30/04/22: As part of the activities surrounding World Fives Day on 5th May (5/5), the EFA is once more working with the Advanta Foundation to raise money for good causes, with a particular goal of improving female participation in sport.
This year’s nominated charity is Youth Action Alliance (YAA), which has been at the forefront of youth work provision in Kensington & Chelsea for over 20 years.
Sport England research reveals that a mix of practical, personal and emotional pressures prevents many women and girls from being as active as they would like. Fear of judgement, lack of confidence and school/family commitments underpin a growing gender participation gap in sport.
In partnership with the Advanta Foundation and Youth Action Alliance, the Eton Fives Association is hosting an online raffle to raise money for community sports activities in Kensington & Chelsea that will inspire more women and girls to stay active. All money raised will be donated to Youth Action Alliance, with the ambition to show that barriers to sport and physical activity can be overcome.
Richard Black, President of the Eton Fives Association, said: “Despite significant progress in recent years, the EFA wants to do more to address the gender participation gap within the Eton Fives community. We are determined to align with nationwide initiatives like This Girl Can, and to partner with likeminded organisations such as Youth Action Alliance to create more opportunities for women and girls to play sport. We are also delighted to be working once again with the Advanta Foundation, and are extremely grateful for their generous contribution to match fund our online fundraising campaign”.
Tania Moore, Chief Executive of Youth Action Alliance, said: “Youth Action Alliance are delighted to be the chosen charity for this year's World Fives Day. We are committed to celebrating and championing the cause to get more girls active, break down those barriers that prevent them from participating in sports, and help women and girls improve their physical health and fitness, their self-confidence and energy.”
Gillian Piggot, Committee Chair of Advanta Foundation, said: “The Advanta Group continue to be proud sponsors of the EFA and are delighted that our Foundation are able to support World Fives Day’s charitable endeavours for the second year running. We strongly believe that no child should have financial or cultural barriers to sport as it is such an important part of overall wellbeing. We are particularly pleased that Youth Action Alliance is the chosen charity as it supports children in our neighbouring community Kensington and Chelsea. The foundation’s motto is Creating Futures and we feel that this perfectly aligns with YAA’s objective of supporting the personal and social development of young people, enabling them to increase their resilience and skills in the present, and promote their ambitions for the future.”