Switch The Play

Rob's Fundraising Page

Rob Young

Rob Young

My Story

For many years my view of running was always about chasing a ball or running between the wickets. As I stopped playing competitive sport I found the joy of just running. And with a little encouragement from friends now is the time to properly challenge myself. I have long talked about doing a marathon one day...and that day is nearly here. 8th October 2023, the Chester Marathon! Whilst lockdown got me into a habit of running most days, as my training has ramped up, I definitely do not underestimate the scale of the challenge to be able to do this.

This personal challenge feels like a great opportunity to try and raise some funds for an important cause - Switch the Play Foundation. There are loads of amazing causes out there and I know I am biased given the day job but I would be incredibly grateful if you chose to help support an underdog, because not all gold medals look the same. Switch the Play Foundation supports the hidden majority:

  • Most sportspeople on a talent pathway don't go on reach the highest levels of their sport. Only 1 in 10 elite academy footballers go on to make more than 20 appearances in the top 4 divisions in English football.
  • Most high level sportspeople dont make life changing sums of money through their sport. For instance over 60% of elite sportswomen in the UK make less than £10k pa through their sport.
  • Most people (over 70%) dont leave sport on their own terms, the end often being forced through injury, contracts not being renewed, or de-selection.
  • And the evidence shows that leaving sport can be really tough. More than 50% of sportspeople reported mental health challenges within 2 years of finishing sport.
  • No matter how successful a person has been in their sporting career these individuals quickly become the underdog as they try to transition into a new career beyond sport.

Please do give generously to help ensure that Switch the Play Foundation can be there for every moment, not just the winning ones. Your support really makes a positive difference.

144%

Funded

  • Target
    £750
  • Raised so far
    £1,079
  • Number of donors
    31

My Story

For many years my view of running was always about chasing a ball or running between the wickets. As I stopped playing competitive sport I found the joy of just running. And with a little encouragement from friends now is the time to properly challenge myself. I have long talked about doing a marathon one day...and that day is nearly here. 8th October 2023, the Chester Marathon! Whilst lockdown got me into a habit of running most days, as my training has ramped up, I definitely do not underestimate the scale of the challenge to be able to do this.

This personal challenge feels like a great opportunity to try and raise some funds for an important cause - Switch the Play Foundation. There are loads of amazing causes out there and I know I am biased given the day job but I would be incredibly grateful if you chose to help support an underdog, because not all gold medals look the same. Switch the Play Foundation supports the hidden majority:

  • Most sportspeople on a talent pathway don't go on reach the highest levels of their sport. Only 1 in 10 elite academy footballers go on to make more than 20 appearances in the top 4 divisions in English football.
  • Most high level sportspeople dont make life changing sums of money through their sport. For instance over 60% of elite sportswomen in the UK make less than £10k pa through their sport.
  • Most people (over 70%) dont leave sport on their own terms, the end often being forced through injury, contracts not being renewed, or de-selection.
  • And the evidence shows that leaving sport can be really tough. More than 50% of sportspeople reported mental health challenges within 2 years of finishing sport.
  • No matter how successful a person has been in their sporting career these individuals quickly become the underdog as they try to transition into a new career beyond sport.

Please do give generously to help ensure that Switch the Play Foundation can be there for every moment, not just the winning ones. Your support really makes a positive difference.