Framing the future: Matchroom on cue to provide significant financial boost to Sheffield community sport

Sheffield’s proud sporting heritage was front and centre today as the Matchroom Charitable Foundation announced a £25,000 donation to the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park’s grant giving programme, the Sheffield Legacy Fund – helping to power community sport and wellbeing initiatives across the city.

Kickstarting a huge week of sport in the city, Snooker World Champion Ken Doherty, local boxing hero Dalton Smith, rising star Josh Padley and Small Talk duo Charlie Parsons and Sunny Edwards joined Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Tom Hunt and former UK Minister for Sport Richard Caborn at Stephen Harrison Snooker Academy to officially present the cheque – giving up to 25 grassroots organisations within a three-mile radius of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park the opportunity to apply for funding.

The Legacy Fund, delivered in partnership with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, provides grants of up to £1,000 to support community-led projects focused on physical and mental health, wellbeing and inclusion. This new £25,000 boost means more young people than ever can access meaningful, life-changing sport and activity.

Smith, the European and WBC Silver Super-Lightweight Champion, returns to action this Saturday at the newly opened Canon Medical Arena – also on the Legacy Park – defending his belts against rival Mathieu Germain live on DAZN. Fellow Yorkshireman Padley joins him on the card, eyeing the WBA International Lightweight crown as he challenges Marko Cvetanovic on his Matchroom debut.

Irish icon Doherty is, of course, immortalised in Snooker history having celebrated his famous 1997 World Championships victory at The Crucible. The 55-year-old is part of the BBC commentary team for this year’s tournament, which begins on Saturday 19th April.

The announcement took place in front of young local talent at the Academy – a facility already supported by the Sheffield Legacy Fund – which offers inclusive snooker sessions for young people with learning disabilities.

With a rich sporting history between Snooker and Boxing in the Steel City, Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn believes that this initial donation to the Sheffield Legacy Fund will inspire thousands of youngsters to enjoy participating in many of the grassroots clubs which stand to benefit from the sizeable injection of funds.

“Sheffield is synonymous with Sport – and we are delighted to provide this donation on behalf of the Matchroom Charitable Foundation today,” said Hearn.

“We know that Sport has the power to change lives. Nothing pleases me more than seeing young people in this country thrive in gyms and clubs up and down the UK,” he continued.

“So, this really is special as it will inspire and enable many more youngsters to enjoy and participate throughout associated grassroots communities in Sheffield over the next 12 months.”

Claire Fretwell, Operations Manager at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park was visibly delighted when explaining how the donation will help to expand the impact of their already impressive work.

“We’re thrilled to receive this donation from Matchroom Charitable Foundation and to have the opportunity to collaborate in transforming lives through sport and community activity,” said Fretwell.

“The Legacy Fund has already supported 40 grassroots organisations to deliver a wide range of activities promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing and social inclusion,” she continued.

“From climbing, dancing and gardening groups to ice hockey, rugby and snooker sessions – and a variety of activities in between, these initiatives have so far reached over 3,000 individuals across our local communities.”

“We’re incredibly grateful for Matchroom’s generous support and we’re excited to expand our reach, empower more people and create an even greater positive impact going forward.”

The initiative has also been welcomed by local leadership, with Cllr Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council recognising the significance of the donation in supporting the city’s long-standing connection to sport and its impact at a community level.

“Sheffield loves snooker and the sport has deep roots in our city,” said Hunt.

“Every day, grassroots sports clubs and community groups from across Sheffield do important work with communities to improve people’s health and wellbeing,” he added.

“Matchroom’s generous donation to local community groups shows their commitment to Sheffield. Sport changes lives and the funding will enable more local organisations to provide support to communities in Sheffield.”

The Sheffield Legacy Fund launched in 2023 to support local grassroots organisations and is administered by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation.

The Matchroom Charitable Foundation was created to centralise the benevolent efforts of Matchroom Sport, the global sports promotion company headed by Eddie Hearn, and its subsidiaries – the Professional Darts Corporation, Matchroom Boxing, World Snooker and Matchroom MultiSport.

Since its inception, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation has donated in excess of £4.5million to a wide range of charities throughout its many sporting activities, including sports and community charities, and a number of hospices for both children and adults.

For more information, including how to apply to the Sheffield Legacy Fund, please click here.