Corby Dodgeball Club CIC is continuing to showcase how grassroots sport can drive meaningful social impact.
Thanks to a successful application to the Sported Community Grants Programme, supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the club has launched a brand-new Girls Dodgeball Empowerment Programme, aimed at creating more opportunities for young girls to get involved in sport.
A Programme Built for Impact
At its core, the initiative is about far more than just dodgeball. It’s designed to tackle key challenges faced by young girls in sport and physical activity, particularly in underserved areas.
The programme focuses on:
- Providing a safe, high-energy environment for girls in Corby to stay active
- Encouraging long-term participation in team sports by breaking down common barriers
- Reaching communities where access to organised sport is limited
Using dodgeball as the vehicle, the club has created a space where participants can build confidence, develop social skills, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Turning Funding into Opportunity
With the support of the grant, Corby Dodgeball Club has been able to deliver a structured 10-week programme tailored specifically for girls aged 6–17.
The funding has enabled the club to:
- Run dedicated weekly sessions focused on engagement and retention
- Remove financial and social barriers to participation
- Invest in equipment and resources to improve the overall experience
- Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants
Each session has been built around key personal development themes such as confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience, ensuring that the impact extends well beyond the court.
Real Growth On and Off the Court
The results so far have been hugely encouraging.
The programme has seen:
- Strong weekly attendance and consistent engagement
- A growing core group of participants, with new players joining through word of mouth
- Many girls experiencing dodgeball for the first time in a positive, supportive setting
More importantly, the personal development outcomes have been clear. Coaches have observed significant improvements in:
- Confidence and self-belief
- Communication and teamwork
- Willingness to try new skills and support others
Feedback from both participants and parents highlights increased enjoyment of physical activity, stronger friendships, and a deeper sense of belonging.
A standout moment came in the form of a themed “April Fools Dodgeball” session, which boosted engagement and brought added energy and visibility to the programme.
A Transformative Step Forward
Speaking on the impact of the funding, Carl Page, Director of Corby Dodgeball Club CIC said:
“The funding has had a genuinely transformative impact on our Girls Dodgeball Empowerment sessions. It’s allowed us to remove barriers, create a safe and welcoming space for young women, and give them the confidence to step into sport on their own terms. We’ve seen real growth in teamwork, resilience, and self-belief – the programme has been a brilliant reminder of what targeted support can achieve.”
Building the Future of the Sport
Initiatives like this highlight the vital role that community funding plays in growing grassroots sport and making it more inclusive.
For Corby Dodgeball Club CIC, this is more than just a successful project, it’s a blueprint for how dodgeball can be used as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and long-term development.
Clubs looking to access similar funding or guidance can find more information through British Dodgeball’s club development resources – britishdodgeball.org/club-development/
