Expanding Community Sport Hub Sites Across Africa
A powerful new chapter in sport-for-development has begun. Sport in Action, the Wallace Group, and World Netball have officially announced a transformative partnership to expand the successful Community Sport Hub Site model beyond Zambia—starting with Ivory Coast.
Empowering Communities Through Sport
At the heart of this initiative is a shared mission: empowering communities through sustainable, locally-led sport development.
Since 2017, Zambia’s Community Sport Hub Sites have grown from just 5 to 49 hubs, supporting:
• 263 teams
• 350+ trained coaches (53% women)
• 16,000+ active participants
Each hub is run in the community, by the community, for the community, serving as a central venue for sport-specific training, competition, and youth development. The model promotes inclusive pathways, especially for young women and girls, while fostering education, leadership, and social enterprise.
A Toolkit for Sustainable Growth
To support replication of the model, the Wallace Group and Sport in Action, alongside the National Sports Council and various Sports Federations, have developed a Community Sport Hub Site Toolkit. This practical guide offers step-by-step instructions for communities and leaders to establish and sustain their own hub sites.
World Netball’s Global Vision
Building on the legacy of the 2019 Netball World Cup, World Netball has joined the initiative to help scale the model internationally.
A Milestone Visit to Ivory Coast
In November 2024, Jack Preston (International Sports Development Officer, Wallace Group & Sport in Action) and Joan Smit (Africa Regional Development Manager, World Netball) led a pivotal visit to Ivory Coast. Their mission: introduce the hub-site model to the national governing body and deliver intensive training to local leaders and coaches.
Highlights from the six-day programme:
• 57 participants awarded Orientation Completion Certificates
• 1,000+ individuals reached through community outreach
• Trainees from 13 regions across Ivory Coast
• Endorsed by the Ministry of Sport and Lifestyle Development
Driving Impact Across Zambia and Beyond
The expansion of hub sites has enabled Sport in Action to deliver:
• Impactful educational programs
• Reduced youth unemployment
• Increased social inclusion
The model’s success in Zambia is now a blueprint for other nations, proving that community-led sport development can be a powerful force for change.
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