Case study: Levelling the Playing Field (LtPF)
A three-year, collective impact programme reaching 35,672 young people (63% from ethnically diverse backgrounds), independently evaluated by the University of Birmingham, supported by the London Marathon Foundation, and delivered in partnership with the Youth Justice Board.
The Problem
Children from ethnically diverse backgrounds are over-represented in the Youth Justice System and under-represented in sport and physical activity. This imbalance leads to fewer opportunities for belonging, resilience, and positive pathways — and increases the risk of offending.
Our Approach
The Alliance of Sport (AoS) convened a multi-agency national partnership to design and deliver a collective impact programme, combining the power of sport and physical activity with the expertise of specialist delivery partners to reduce inequalities and strengthen youth justice outcomes.
By uniting more than 100 partner organisations with independent evaluation, LtPF generated unprecedented insight into disproportionality — and a scalable blueprint for change.
What we did
- Managed delivery across London, West Midlands, South Yorkshire, Newport and Youth Secure Estates (2020–2023).
- Increased support for 35,672 children and young people, 63% from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
- Trained and supported, 1003 multi-agency professionals.
- Partnered with the University of Birmingham for research and evaluation.
- Secured £1m investment from the London Marathon Foundation and strategic backing from the Youth Justice Board.
- Invested £514,644 in specialist delivery partners.
- Co-created practical resources with the network, including a Leadership Toolkit, LtPF Playbook, Programme Evaluation Reports, and REDI Neurodiversity research.
The Impact
- Rated as a ‘promising’ project in a 2024 government report.
- Achieved a level of ethnicity-specific monitoring and evaluation unprecedented in the sports sector, creating a foundation for tackling disproportionality at scale.
- Produced seven key recommendations to advance equity, participation, and lifelong community connection – With 43% accepted or partially accepted by the Youth Justice Board.
- Provided compelling evidence that multi-agency Third Sector organisations are key to reducing inequalities in sport and justice.
- Strengthened local partnerships, with Newport City Council, youth justice services, and community organisations reporting lasting positive impact.
Voices from the Programme
Keith Fraser, Chair, Youth Justice Board:
“The Levelling the Playing Field programme has been a beacon of hope, using sport to break down barriers, promote fairness, and transform the lives of over 35,000 children — 63% from ethnically diverse backgrounds. This (research) report provides recommendations to extend the project’s impact which we are actively exploring, including how we can help share its insights more widely. Sport and physical activity is a powerful tool for change and this initiative has clearly had a positive impact on children’s lives. In turn, this will contribute towards safer and fairer communities for all.”
Cllr Laura Lacey, Newport City Council:
“The partnership approach developed in Newport has been very successful and has had a positive impact on the lives of children and young people across the city. We have definitely found being part of the project has been worthwhile, and we hope that the recommendations set out in the report are widely adopted.”
Mike Diaper, London Marathon Foundation:
“In 2020, the London Marathon Foundation invested £1million into the Levelling the Playing Field programme, our largest investment into one project at that time. The programme’s aims to support and improve the lives of thousands of marginalised children through sport and physical activity was a clear fit with our vision. LtPF has demonstrated the unique power of sport and physical activity and the transformative effect it can have on the lives of children and young people who are most at risk of negative outcomes.”
Resources
Explore the research and resources produced through LtPF:
- Leadership Toolkit – practical guidance for senior leaders
- LtPF Playbook – Stories that articulate the design and delivery
- Summary report, full research report, and infographic.