NIKE HAS announced a new partnership with Sport for Social Change charity Sported, as part of its celebration of UK Black History Month.

The partnership will see the launch of an exciting new programme designed to support, empower and enable the next generation of BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) young leaders in London.

Twelve inspirational young BAME Londoners (aged 16-30), who are currently involved in grassroots sport groups in the capital, will be selected to benefit from a 12-month package of support, mentoring and personal development opportunities to develop and launch their own sport for change project in their community.

Tom Burstow, deputy CEO at Sported, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Nike to launch this exciting new programme that celebrates and nurtures the talents of young, BAME Londoners. Nike has long championed the power of sport to advance equality in communities, so fits perfectly with Sported’s own work creating opportunities for under-represented groups.

“If you’re young BAME person living in London and have a brilliant idea on how you can harness the power of sport to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in your local community, we want you!”

Throughout UK Black History Month and beyond, Nike will be celebrating the collective achievements of black British athletes and their contribution to sport. To learn more about Nike’s global commitment to levelling the playing field, please visit: https://purpose.nike.com/standing-up-for-equality

Nominations will be open to the general public. Young people interested in being part of the programme are invited to submit their personal nomination via Sported’s website – www.sported.org.uk .

Applications open on October 15 and close at 5pm October 31.