We are introducing a new feature at SDG. When we see a worthwhile news story, we will include it but not always offer any commentary. We will just report the news, not make it. 🙂

From our good friends at Around the Rings (a great, great resource of all things Olympics), we excerpt a part of the story about Barclays and Beyond Sport.

Barclays Spaces for Sports Extends Beyond Sport Partnership

8/19/2010

Following the success of the collaboration in its first year, Beyond Sport is delighted to announce that Barclays Spaces for Sports has extended its partnership with the sport and development initiative into a second year.

Barclays Spaces for Sports will once again play a pivotal role as a Global Partner to Beyond Sport, which includes the Beyond Sport Summit 2010 taking place in Chicago, September 29-30.

Barclays Spaces for Sports is a community sports programme using sport to revitalise disadvantaged communities and tackle key social issues in countries around the world where Barclays operates. It was launched in the UK in 2004 and has delivered 200 sustainable sports sites in partnership with the Football Foundation, giving more than half a million people in disadvantaged communities the opportunity to benefit.

Following its success in the UK the programme was extended globally in 2008, bringing the total commitment by Barclays to more than £37m.

Kirk Harrison, Head of Barclays Spaces for Sports, said: “As a global sport for development programme driving positive social change, our partnership with Beyond Sport is a natural one.

“It allows us to share our expertise as a corporate in this field, as well as further extending our contacts and knowledge of the many other individuals and organisations involved in community sport through the Beyond Sport network.”

Added Nick Keller, Founder of Beyond Sport: “The support of Barclays Spaces for Sports is a vital component to our success and we’re delighted that they are continuing to help us drive forward the movement.

“Barclays has long been a trailblazer in this field and we hope that the positive example that the organisation is setting can persuade other corporate companies to follow their lead.”