The Matchroom Charitable Foundation is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Coach Core Foundation to fund 10 apprenticeship roles for young people across the UK through its new ‘Undercard’ project.
With a donation of £57,750, the apprenticeships will create meaningful career opportunities linked to the sports promoted across the Matchroom group, spanning boxing, darts, snooker, pool, fishing and beyond, with placements delivered through a range of organisations and partners across the wider sports sector.
Powered by the Matchroom Charitable Foundation and delivered by Coach Core Foundation, the ‘Undercard’ programme combines the power and reach of sport with high-quality apprenticeships to support young people aged 16–24 into employment, education and long-term careers.
The programme has been specifically designed to support young people who may face barriers to employment, including young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, ethnically diverse communities, disabled young people and those who may not have accessed traditional pathways into the sector.
Employers recruit apprentices directly into paid roles, with Coach Core Foundation providing programme delivery and support throughout the apprenticeship journey.
Participating employers will also receive a £5,000 grant contribution from the Matchroom Charitable Foundation towards salary and employment costs.
Matchroom Sport Founder and President Barry Hearn OBE believes the vital cash injection comes at a welcome time for the nation, particularly with masses of young people finding it difficult to break through to employment post-education.
“I grew up in a working-class family where opportunities didn’t always feel accessible or guaranteed,” said Barry Hearn OBE.
“One of the things I’ve always believed is that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn’t always. That’s a big part of why this programme matters. Across Matchroom, we’ve seen people come into the business in junior roles and build incredible careers for themselves over time. The Undercard is about helping more young people realise that there is a place for them within this industry, regardless of their background or where they start from.”
Through the programme, young people will be able to access coaching, business administration and social media apprenticeship opportunities linked to Matchroom sports and the wider sport sector.
Apprentices will complete a 13–16 month programme combining paid employment with nationally recognised education and training, alongside additional wraparound support provided by Coach Core for both apprentices and employers.
Gary Laybourne, CEO of Coach Core Foundation, said: “The Undercard is about opening doors and helping marginalised young people realise that sport isn’t just what they see on TV or play in the park. It can be the springboard to a meaningful job and qualifications that will change their lives, forever.
“For many young people, careers in this sector can feel out of reach or simply invisible. We want to change that by creating meaningful opportunities linked to some of the biggest sporting events and organisations in the country. And they don’t get more high profile and more inspiring than Matchroom.
“Combined with Coach Core’s 14 year successful track record, we know that this partnership will support the right young talent to find their purpose, change their prospects and become a positive, impactful role model through the work they will do on this powerful programme.”
For more information for employers, please visit the Coach Core website: https://coachcore.org.uk/matchroom
