British hockey is at the forefront of a major new funding drive, as Team GB star Tess Howard headlines a list of elite athletes awarded ChangeMakers grants from Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery.
Sixteen current and former Olympians and Paralympians will receive up to £10,000 each to power social impact projects tackling issues from youth mentorship to disability inclusion.
The £100,000 initiative is part of Allwyn’s wider £1 million Social Value Fund and follows the launch of the ChangeMakers programme in 2024 alongside UK Sport, Team GB, and ParalympicsGB.
Howard will use her funding to expand the Inclusive Sportswear campaign — an initiative challenging the lack of choice and inclusivity in school PE kits.
“Only one in four girls feel confident in their PE kit,” said Howard. “Thanks to Allwyn, this grant helps build a community platform to support inclusive PE policies nationwide.”
Fellow GB hockey player Darcy Bourne also secured backing for her Raising Her Game project, running multi-sport camps to support girls facing barriers in sport.
The initiative reflects Allwyn’s aim to support athletes beyond the field, with projects ranging from Paralympic swimmer Tully Kearney’s accessible running initiative Now I Can Run, to judo, basketball, and cycling schemes targeting disadvantaged youth and underrepresented communities.
Andria Vidler, Allwyn CEO, said: “These grants empower athletes to be catalysts for change in their communities. Their passion extends far beyond sport.”
UK Sport CEO Sally Munday added: “It’s fantastic to see athletes using their platforms for social good. The National Lottery’s continued investment helps power that legacy.”
The grants are split into ‘Try It’ and ‘Scale It’ funds, enabling both early-stage and established social projects to grow. Full details of all 16 recipients are available via UK Sport.
