The 'Discover Sport™ Foundation' is a purpose-led initiative designed to financially assist underserved athletes that have earned the right to represent their countries on the international stage, but lack the means to make the opportunity a reality. 

In historically underfunded markets, extraordinary athletes are often overlooked because support structures are slow to develop, sponsorships are scarce due to limited or no broadcast exposure, and sports grants are frequently insufficient. Through the 'Discover Sport™ Foundation', talented athletes who meet the Foundation's criteria, can now apply for funding with confidence to participate globally, says the platform.

Leigh Watson, Founding Director of the Discover Sport ™ Foundation, says, "Finance can be a dismal road for aspiring sports stars who want nothing more than their fair shot at the win. We've witnessed families take loans, parents putting their retirement at risk and athletes walking away from once-in-a-lifetime international stages because of financial constraints. The 'Discover Sport™ Foundation' — is seeking to change that for the good — intentionally, sustainably and meaningfully."

As an ex National Champion and Springbok gymnast herself, competing internationally between 1987 and 1994, Watson has lived these athletic struggles herself. The 'Discover Sport ™ Foundation' is therefore deeply rooted in a sincere appreciation for the "cost" of competitive sport — not only as a finance sacrifice but as a way of identity, discipline, lived culture and ultimately the human fabric of self-belief, adds the platform.

"This Foundation exists for these human moments," says Watson. "We meet athletes in those life defining moments, where selection is real, the dream becomes real and all at once, the barrier for funding is… also real. The 'Discover Sport ™ Foundation' is here to stand in that space with athletes from all over the world. Through the Foundation we can help underserved sportspersons get to the world stage, where their talent truly belongs," says Watson.

A recent landmark event sees the 'Discover Sport™ Foundation' making history in its backing of 16-year-old Vaulting athlete, Ashley Lupondo from Zimbabwe. Lupondo travelled for the first time to Austria for the Junior Equestrian Vaulting World Championships, marking her qualification as a country-first for Zimbabwe, adds the platform.

"Sport is the world's most inclusive language, but sadly opportunity has not been evenly accessible. It's stories like Ashley's that really add meaning to that feeling of world-class participation. Through this Foundation we are giving athletes, who have earned the right to wear their country's colours, the chance to believe they belong," says Watson. 

Another one of this year's most spirited Foundation stories includes the likes of South African trampoline athletes competing at the FIG Trampoline World Championships in Spain this month, says the platform.

Since inception, the 'Discover Sport™ Foundation' has proudly supported 66 athletes plus coaches to date, expanding financial aid and country confidence exponentially. A portion of Discover Sport's™ platform revenue flows directly into the Foundation to ensure the sustainability and integrity of support, adds Watson.

Why it Matters Now? 

"This is bigger than one athlete. Bigger than one sport. Bigger than any outcome," says Watson. "This is about rewriting what access can look like for vaulting, trampoline, hockey, judo, MTB, climbing, ice skating and sports that may never dominate headlines, but will still inevitably shape futures, and national pride."

How to Apply: 

According to the platform, athletes must meet the following criteria to be eligible for funding:

  • Athletes must be officially selected to represent their country at an international event.
  • Athletes must have confirmed national colours awarded by SASCOC.
  • Athletes must provide formal proof of federation selection documentation.
  • Athletes that qualify for international representation but require financial support can apply here.

With its reputable track record as, "the app that gives back", Discover Sport™ continues to put possibility back on the table, through the work of its Foundation, and various ongoing initiatives with corporate partners like Air France and KLM, adds the platform.

Corporate partners, philanthropists, federations, investment groups and impact-led brands that want to meaningfully shift global sport are also invited to collaborate with the Foundation, concludes the platform.

For more information, visit www.discoversport.com. You can also follow Discover Sport™ on LinkedIn.

*Image courtesy of contributor