Tranai Todd founded Support Through Sport at 17 - not because it seemed like a good idea, but because he'd lived it. Growing up in a disadvantaged area of Nottingham, sport gave him the protective factors to stay away from the negative influences that surround so many young people in communities like his.Now 21, he leads a regional organisation that delivers sport-based intervention, mentoring and progression programmes to thousands of young people - diverting them away from youth offending, gang culture, knife crime and anti-social behaviour, and giving them something to move towards instead.What makes Support Through Sport different is the approach. It's youth-led, it's rooted in lived experience, and it's built on a genuine belief in the power sport has to change lives and create safer communities.

In this episode, Tranai talks about where it all started, how the organisation works, and what it really takes to turn sport into a tool for lasting social change.This is the Power of Sport.🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week📲 Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

#PowerOfSport #SupportThroughSport #SportForChange #YouthWork #Nottingham #TranaiTodd #SportForGood #SocialImpact #YouthMentoring #Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Natalie O'Rourke MBE - founder of Park Lane Stables RDA in Teddington and one of the most remarkable community figures in Britain today.Natalie's story is extraordinary. From growing up in Birmingham with a love of horses instilled by her father, to transforming a traditional riding school into a lifeline for children and adults with disabilities, mental health challenges, and social isolation - her journey is one of pure grit and heart.But it was the events of New Year's Eve 2020 that would test everything. Told their landlord intended to sell the property, Natalie and her team had two months to raise £1 million or lose the stables forever. What followed was one of the most remarkable crowdfunding campaigns Britain has ever seen - drawing support from over 32,000 donors and names like Rob Brydon and Rory Bremner, ultimately raising more than £1.3 million.We talk about the chaos and emotion behind the "Save Our Stables" campaign, what it felt like when the stables were briefly evicted despite their success, and how Natalie's belief in community - and in horses - never once wavered.Natalie has since been awarded an MBE for services to disabled people and the community, named Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year 2025, and received the RDA's highest honour, the Birt Spooner Cup. She's also the author of her memoir Only Heroes and Horses.This one will stay with you.

In Episode 6 of Power of Sport, Xavier Wiggins is joined by Niall Couper, Chief Executive of Fair Game, to explore how football can do far more for communities if the system allows it.They discuss Fair Game’s push for a fairer, more sustainable game, the role clubs can play in tackling social challenges, and why football remains one of the most powerful tools we have for positive change.This is an important conversation on football reform, community impact and the future of sport for good. Subscribe to Power of Sport for more conversations with the people using sport to change lives.#PowerOfSport #FairGame #NiallCouper #FootballReform #SportForGood #CommunityFootball #FootballForGood

Sport can change lives.In this Power of Sport Podcast highlights episode, we revisit some of the most powerful moments from our first four guests - stories of prison, suicide, cancer and the life-changing impact of sport.These conversations show how sport can provide purpose, belonging and a second chance - and how people are now using sport to help young people, support girls and inspire others facing adversity.If you believe in the power of sport to change lives, this episode is for you.The Power of Sport Podcast explores how sport is used to transform lives and communities.Subscribe for more stories from people using sport for good.#PowerOfSport #SportForGood #SportChangesLives #CommunitySportGuests featured:Dean Morgan of Social Injustice LimitedFrancesca Brown of Goals4GirlsJoe Lockyer of Brightstar Boxingas well as Annabel Kiki, World Cup Golden Boot Winner

In Episode 4 of the Power of Sport podcast, I’m joined by Annabel Kiki - elite amputee footballer, Golden Boot winner at the 2024 Women’s Amputee Football World Cup, and an S9 para swimmer.

Annabel is just 17, but she’s already competing and winning at the very highest level.We talk about her journey into sport, how she lost her leg, what it takes to perform under pressure, and what it means to represent your country and your sport on the world stage.

We also explore how sport has shaped her confidence, identity, and ambition - and how she’s now using her growing platform to push for inclusion and challenge perceptions.

Alongside her sporting career, Annabel is also building a profile in modelling and acting, but at the heart of this conversation is her life as an athlete and the power of sport to change lives.

This is a conversation about resilience, belief, elite performance, and the role sport can play in creating real social impact.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share - it really helps the podcast grow.

💬 Drop a comment with what stood out to you from Annabel’s story.

🔗 Follow Power of Sport:https://open.spotify.com/show/4ClBttuINl5k3bArL0eIGG

#SportForGood #DisabilitySport #AmputeeFootball #ParaSwimming #WomenInSport #Inclusion #Inspiration

Joe Lockley is the founder of Brightstar Boxing, a community boxing club using sport to change lives, build confidence, and create real opportunities for young people who need them most.In this episode of Power of Sport, Joe shares how Brightstar Boxing grew from a local idea into a powerful community force - supporting 600 young people weekly with their mental health, discipline, self-belief, and direction in life. We talk about the realities facing young people today, the role of boxing in building resilience and purpose, and why safe, trusted community spaces matter more than ever.Joe opens up about the impact he’s seen first-hand, the challenges of running a grassroots organisation, and what happens when you combine sport with care, consistency, and high expectations. This is an honest, inspiring conversation about fighting for futures - inside and outside the ring.

If you believe in sport as a tool for social change, this episode is for you.

Power of Sport - Episode 2: Francesca Brown (Goals4Girls)

In this episode of Power of Sport, we’re joined by Francesca Brown, CEO and Founder of Goals4Girls, award-winning speaker, Prince’s Trust Ambassador, UEFA-qualified coach, and one of the UK’s most inspiring leaders in sport for social change.

Francesca shares her powerful journey and how football is being used to transform the lives of girls and young women from underserved communities. From lived experience to national recognition, this is a conversation about leadership, opportunity, resilience, and the real impact sport can have when it’s done with purpose.

We talk about:

How Goals4Girls is creating pathways for girls and young women

The role of football in building confidence, skills and leadership

What real “sport for good” looks like on the ground

The challenges - and the wins - of building impact-driven programmes

This episode is part of Power of Sport, the weekly podcast from Sport Local Action, shining a light on the people, organisations and ideas using sport to change lives.

📩 Got sport for good news to share?

We’re building a weekly news roundup too - send your stories, impact reports, roles, programmes and milestones to:

[email protected]

🔗 Find out more about Sport Local Action:

https://sportlocalaction.org

🔗 Learn more about Goals4Girls:

https://www.goals4girls.co.uk/

#PowerOfSport #SportForGood #FootballForGood #WomenInSport #GirlsInSport #SocialImpact

How West Ham Are Changing Lives Off the Pitch | Joe Lyons | Power of Sport PodcastJoe Lyons, CEO of the West Ham United Foundation, joins the Power of Sport Podcast to explain how football clubs are changing lives in communities across the UK.From youth programmes to support for older fans, West Ham’s foundation shows the real social power of football and how clubs are increasingly becoming vital social institutions.In this episode, Xavier Wiggins speaks with Joe about how football club foundations have evolved, why data and prevention are becoming central to their work, and how programmes at West Ham are delivering real social impact.The conversation explores:• How football foundations have grown across the UK• Why every club in the Football League will publish an impact report this year for the first time• The Foundry and £75m of social impact to be created in five years• Supporting young people at risk of becoming NEET• “Any Old Irons” – the programme supporting older West Ham fans• Why sport can change the direction of someone’s life🎙 Power of Sport Podcast – Episode 5Subscribe for more conversations exploring how sport can strengthen communities and change lives.Follow Power of SportTags#PowerOfSport #WestHam #WestHamUnited #FootballFoundation #SportForGood #CommunityFootball #JoeLyons

In Episode 1 of Power of Sport, we hear the remarkable story of Dean Morgan. In and out of the youth justice system and prison in his early life, Dean reached a crossroads - continue down a path of crime, or choose a different, more fulfilling way forward. He chose sport.What began as a personal lifeline became a mission. Dean went on to dedicate his life to using sport as a tool to steer others away from the same dangers and bad choices he once faced, creating opportunity, structure and hope for young people who need it most.Joined by Xavier Wiggins and broadcaster Aaron Paul, this episode explores Dean’s journey, the power of second chances, and why sport can be a force for real change in communities.🎙 Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.

Power of Sport is a new weekly podcast exploring how sport is changing lives and strengthening communities.Hosted by Aaron Paul and Xavier Wiggins, the podcast goes beyond headlines to hear from the people doing the work on the ground - tackling issues like mental health, inclusion, inequality and opportunity through sport.This short preview episode introduces the thinking behind the podcast, what listeners can expect, and why these stories matter now more than ever.🎙 Full episodes coming soon.Subscribe to stay up to date with new episodes.