At Spring Environmental, sustainability is about more than carbon reporting, environmental compliance, or net zero strategies. It’s also about creating positive impact in the communities where we live and work.
That’s why we’re proud to support the Spen Valley Vipers, a community-driven basketball club in West Yorkshire that is helping young people discover the benefits of sport.
Sport England Movement Fund: Expanding girls’ basketball in North Kirklees
The club has recently secured new funding from Sport England’s Movement Fund, supporting the growth of girls’ basketball in North Kirklees. This funding is specifically ring-fenced to expand the girls’ programme, helping the Vipers create more opportunities for young players to get involved in grassroots sport.
While this is a fantastic milestone for girls’ participation in sport, it’s important to recognise that community sports clubs like the Spen Valley Vipers are not fully funded and continue to face wider challenges. The club runs a broad programme, including under-14 and under-16 boys’ teams competing at national league level, mixed-gender community sessions for children aged 5–12, and four senior men’s teams playing in the Leeds League.
The hidden challenges facing grassroots sports clubs
Like many grassroots sports organisations, the Vipers are heavily impacted by the cost and availability of suitable facilities. Venue hire is by far the largest expense for basketball clubs, often closely linked to rising energy costs, creating ongoing financial pressure.
As a result, difficult decisions still have to be made. Despite continued demand, the club has unfortunately had to cut its under-18 boys’ team this season – underlining the reality that targeted sports funding, while impactful, does not address all areas of need.
For us at Spring Environmental, this is what social value in action looks like: celebrating progress in areas like girls’ basketball, while recognising the ongoing need for investment, partnerships, and community support to sustain grassroots sport long term.
Why girls’ sport matters for social value in the public sector
Across the UK, public sector organisations are placing greater emphasis on social value outcomes within procurement and partnership decisions. From improving community wellbeing to reducing inequalities and increasing participation in sport, frameworks such as the social value model increasingly encourage suppliers to demonstrate how they contribute to wider community outcomes.
Initiatives like the work being carried out by the Spen Valley Vipers directly support these goals.
Encouraging girls to take part in sport is particularly important. Research from Sport England consistently highlights a gap in physical activity levels between boys and girls as they grow older, with many teenage girls dropping out of sport altogether. Community programmes that actively create welcoming and supportive environments for girls can play a vital role in reversing this trend.
Grassroots clubs also provide safe, structured spaces where young people can develop confidence, teamwork, and resilience – qualities that benefit not only individuals but communities as a whole.
For organisations working with the public sector, investing in initiatives like these demonstrates a genuine commitment to delivering meaningful social value, while also recognising that sustained impact often requires ongoing support.
The Spen Valley Vipers: A community basketball club making a difference
Founded in 2010, the Spen Valley Vipers have grown into a thriving community basketball club, running teams across multiple age groups and welcoming players of all abilities.
Their mission is simple: make basketball accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience.
The new Movement Fund support from Sport England will allow the club to:
- expand its girls’ basketball programme
- increase coaching capacity
- provide additional equipment
- strengthen partnerships with local schools
- create new pathways for young players to join the club
At the same time, the club continues to deliver a wide range of activity beyond the girls’ programme – from youth development to senior competition – all of which rely on continued community engagement and support to sustain.
Employee volunteering in action: Fraser’s role with the Vipers
We’re especially proud that Fraser, a member of the Spring Environmental team, plays an active role within the Vipers.
His involvement reflects the kind of values we encourage across our organisation – supporting local initiatives, contributing to communities, and helping create opportunities beyond the workplace.
Fraser’s commitment to the club mirrors the dedication and teamwork he brings to his role at Spring Environmental every day, and we’re delighted to support a club that shares the same positive community spirit.
Social value as part of a broader sustainability and ESG strategy
At Spring Environmental, we work with organisations across the UK – from public sector bodies to major operators in infrastructure, utilities, construction and facilities management – to develop sustainability strategies and deliver measurable social value outcomes as part of our wider environmental consultancy services.
While environmental performance is often a key focus, sustainability is broader than carbon or compliance alone. Strong communities, inclusive opportunities, and grassroots initiatives all form part of the wider ESG and social value agenda that organisations are increasingly embedding into their operations and procurement processes.
Supporting community programmes like the work of the Spen Valley Vipers is one small but meaningful way we contribute to that wider impact – and an example of how businesses can support areas where funding alone is not enough.
Social value in action: real community impact through grassroots sport
As public sector organisations increasingly prioritise sustainability, ESG performance and social value, partnerships between businesses, communities and grassroots organisations are becoming more important than ever. Supporting the Spen Valley Vipers is a practical example of how these partnerships can deliver meaningful outcomes on the ground.
The club’s growth directly contributes to several priorities within the UK Government’s Social Value Model, including:
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Tackling inequality by increasing access to sport for girls and young women
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Improving health and wellbeing by encouraging regular physical activity
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Strengthening community cohesion through inclusive, positive local engagement
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Supporting grassroots organisations to grow sustainably and reach more young people
This partnership demonstrates how small, targeted interventions – such as volunteer coaching and practical support – can create long‑lasting benefits for local communities while aligning with broader sustainability and ESG objectives.
Building a sustainable future for girls’ basketball in North Kirklees
The new funding from Sport England marks an exciting step forward for girls’ basketball in North Kirklees.
With expanded coaching, stronger links with local schools, and more opportunities for young players to get involved, the club is helping to build a more inclusive sporting community.
At the same time, the reality for grassroots sport remains challenging – and continued support from businesses and the wider community will be essential to sustain and grow opportunities across all areas of the club.
We’re incredibly proud to support the Vipers and to see Fraser playing such a positive role within the club.
As organisations across the UK place increasing emphasis on sustainability, ESG and social value, initiatives like this show how businesses and communities can work together – not just to create impact, but to sustain it.
How Spring Environmental can support your social value goals
Whether you’re a public sector organisation or a supplier looking to strengthen your social value delivery, we can help you create meaningful, measurable outcomes.
Get in touch to learn how Spring Environmental can support your social value strategy and community impact.