Empowering Communities Together
Decathlon names ParkPlay Inaugural Charity of the Year
March 20, 2024
- Decathlon names ParkPlay its inaugural UK Charity of the Year, reinforcing commitment to help build happier, healthier communities through the life-changing power of play.
- Exciting rewards program launched: Decathlon x ParkPlay Awards to incentivize community engagement and participation.
- Decathlon products remain a staple at ParkPlay events nationwide, elevating participant enjoyment.
In an exciting development for the world of community sports, Decathlon proudly announces ParkPlay as its inaugural Charity of the Year in the UK, strengthening Decathlon's dedication to supporting ParkPlay's vision of providing free, inclusive, and accessible community play events to hundreds of thousands of people nationwide.
Offering a unique opportunity for people to engage in two hours of free, inclusive, and accessible community play every Saturday morning in local parks or public spaces. To date, 63 ParkPlay events have launched across the UK, attracting over 7,500 unique participants who benefit from sessions aimed at fostering happier and healthier communities.
Established just three years ago, ParkPlay has already showcased its positive impact on community well-being. Research conducted by Active Essex and independent research company State of Life demonstrating that regular ParkPlay participants report higher life satisfaction, increased levels of physical activity and wellbeing, enhanced neighbourhood trust, and decreased levels of loneliness.
Decathlon's decision to unveil ParkPlay as its Charity of the Year is in perfect harmony with its global Brand Relaunch, and inaugural campaign entitled ‘Ready to Play?’ Promoting active living through the power of play and encouraging physical activity across the nation, regardless of ability level.
Starting April 1st, Decathlon customers will play a pivotal role in building a more active nation simply by purchasing goods. Donations from all UK store tills directly supporting ParkPlay events with funds to provide essential equipment, train further volunteers, and expand sessions to new communities.
Additionally, a newly announced Decathlon x ParkPlay Award programme will highlight outstanding ParkPlay leaders and participants who exemplify qualities such as vitality, responsibility, authenticity, and generosity. Recognized and rewarded with cards that can be spent in store.
A new Game of the Season initiative also aims to encourage people to engage in new and enjoyable physical activities, driven by products from Decathlon’s in-house brands, that include Kipsta and more.
Delphine Mazillier, Chief People Officer at Decathlon UK said: “Our first UK Charity of the Year partnership with ParkPlay couldn’t have come at a more meaningful time for the business. Together, we are committed to creating exciting opportunities for communities across the UK to embrace the joy of physical activities. ParkPlay is an incredible platform for the entire family to get active whilst removing the barrier of cost and democratising the benefits of sport.”
Rick Jenner, CEO of ParkPlay said "We're tremendously excited to be Decathlon's first charity of the year, as we continue to deepen our partnership with our favourite sports retailer. The partnership is based on our joint belief in the importance of discovering the joy of play to leading a more active life. The support from Decathlon, their staff and customers will help us take the power of play to more communities, supporting people to be happier and healthier.”
More information on Decathlon’s partnership with ParkPlay from 1st April through to December 2024 can be found here.
About Decathlon
DECATHLON is the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, with over 1,700 stores and 105,000 teammates in more than 70 countries. With its integrated business model, DECATHLON specialises in the creation and production of innovative sporting goods designed to delight and move people through the wonders of sport all around the world.
About ParkPlay
ParkPlay launched to encourage everyone to be more active outdoors and bring communities together. In the last 3 years with the support of Sport England, ParkPlay has successfully launched 63 ParkPlays from Cornwall to Cumbria and has had over 7,500 unique participants.
ParkPlay brings people from local communities together in parks and green spaces across the country for two hours of free, informal games and activity, every Saturday morning. It offers people of all ages and abilities the chance to play together and connect in a relaxed, safe and welcoming setting. ParkPlay is run by the local community for the local community. Set up, support, training and infrastructure are provided by the ParkPlay team.
Everyone’s invited.
ParkPlay is playing a critical role in supporting people’s health and happiness, with those hardest hit over the past couple of years benefiting most.
ParkPlay improves physical and mental health. Active Essex and independent research company State of Life conducted research into ParkPlays impact and social value. They showed that ParkPlayers report higher levels of physical activity, higher levels of wellbeing and resilience, increased neighbourhood trust and lower levels of loneliness (than non-players),… the more frequently someone attends ParkPlay, the higher their life satisfaction is likely to be.
Continued support from partners will help ParkPlay evolve and grow further into 2023, and positively impact communities across the country. ParkPlay’s ambition is to change lives and strengthen communities in hundreds of locations with millions of ParkPlayers.
ParkPlay is on a mission to build happier, healthier communities nationwide through the life-changing power of play.
🤸 To find your nearest ParkPlay or to help ParkPlay grow visit www.park-play.com #community #MeetMovePlay
