Grassroots sport is on the up, Teamer is on the up. Make sure you are part of it!

Our sporting heritage plays a huge part in the make-up of our nation. The London Olympics and Paralympics illustrated not just our pedigree on the track, in the pool and on the field, but it also created a glowing sense of pride across the nation. Our Olympians and Paralympians were normal people achieving super-human feats.

And they all started somewhere. Inspired by a coach at their local sports club; their early talent nurtured to achieve greatness. Currently in the UK there are over 500,000 grassroots sports clubs, with 15 million regular participants. Whilst top level athletes and sports stars including Jessica Ennis-Hill, Louis Smith, Rebecca Adlington, and Alan Shearer have been spawned from local clubs, it’s not just elite sport that gains from their existence. They play a key part in our community, for kids and adults alike.

Here at Teamer we strive to help grassroots sport thrive and find the next British superstar. This in itself gives brands a great opportunity to support this journey and associate themselves with developing the future of our sport. Brands can not only provide a partnership that can aid upcoming sports stars but also reach everyday fitness enthusiasts that enjoy training and competing as part of their weekly lives!

These below athletes all started out from humble beginnings and with the support of sponsors and grassroots organisations such as Teamer have made their way to the top

Greg Rutherford – Marshall Milton Keynes Athletics Club, Milton Keynes

Gold Medal Long jump – London 2012 Olympic Games

Greg had trials with Premier League football teamAston Villa before pursuing a career in athletics

His success as a sprinter in inter-school athletics persuaded him to join his local track club in Milton Keynes

He won gold in London aged 25

Jessica Ennis-Hill – Sheffield Athletic Club, Sheffield

Gold Medal – Heptathlon – London 2012

“I was introduced to athletics by my parents when I was 10. I went to a Start: Track event at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. I really enjoyed athletics from the start. I started training once a week, then twice a week. I went to the English schools championships three times while I was at King Ecgberts. The first time I went I was 14, and only did the high jump, and came 15th. That was my introduction to the event, but as I got older, I got used to the environment.”

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Paula Radcliffe – Bedford and County Athletics Club, Bedford

Paula joined Bedford and County Athletics Club at the age of 11 before competing at the World Cross Country Championships at age 16

- Six time world champion

- Seven time big city marathon winner

- Marathon World record-holder

Bradley Wiggins – Archer Road Club, London

- Gold Medal 2004 Athens Olympics – pursuit

- Tour de France winner 2012

- Gold Medal 2012 London Olympics – Time Trial

Rebecca Adlington – Sherwood Swimming Baths (now named Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre), Nottingham

Britain’s most successful swimmer– 2 Gold Medals 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2 Bronze Medals London Olympics 2012

Current world record holder 800m Freestyle

“My vision is that every child in Britain will be able to swim 25 metres by the time they leave primary school. Being able to swim is such a wonderful life skill, and I see this as my greatest challenge in swimming.”

Rebecca Adlington

Wallsend Boys Club, North Tyneside

As arguably the most famous grassroots football club, Wallsend Boys Club has produced a host of Premier League footballers including:

- Alan Shearer

- Michael Carrick

- Peter Beardsley

- Steve Bruce

Grassroots sports is an environment that brands now need to utilise to make themselves the champions!