Right now in Livingstone, more than 2,500 young people take part in Play it Forward programmes each year — many training on uneven sandy pitches where rocks and glass are never far from the surface, and where the facilities around them simply weren’t built to support the number of children who now rely on them. Some young players change behind bushes before training because there are no proper changing rooms, while others try to concentrate in overcrowded classrooms that were never designed to hold this many students.
For many of these children, football is the doorway – it is what brings them in, what gives them belonging, structure and hope. But what they truly need goes far beyond the game itself. They need safe spaces where they can grow in confidence, classrooms where they can learn and develop real skills, and opportunities that open doors long after the final whistle blows.
That is why we are not just improving what already exists, we are building something transformational.
Our Founder and Chairman, and CEO of Attraction Tickets, Oliver Brendon, has pledged to match all donations up to £1 million towards the construction of the Campus.
In March 2025, Play it Forward secured a 4-hectare site on the edge of Livingstone – a historic milestone for our charity. This land will become the permanent home of a purpose-built community sports & education campus: a phased, multi-use facility designed to serve 10,000+ young people each year, while also providing facilities the wider Livingstone community can access and benefit from. It will be a safe, inspiring environment where young people can learn, train, grow and thrive – on and off the pitch.
Football helps us reach young people – and from there we connect them to learning, life skills and wellbeing support. But we’ve outgrown our current space and need facilities built for safety, dignity and scale.
Right now:
These conditions limit how many young people we can reach and the quality of support we can provide. The Community Campus will change that by creating safe, dignified facilities designed for learning, sport and community programmes.
This facility will give thousands of young people in Livingstone a safe place to learn, play and grow. With match funding in place, every donation today will go twice as far.
At its heart, the Campus brings together:
The site has been fully secured, planning approvals are progressing, and architectural designs are complete — meaning the project is ready to move into delivery.
For the first time, young people in Livingstone will have a permanent home where sport, education and opportunity come together.
TO CLAIM YOUR NAMING OPPORTUNITY OR LEARN MORE CONTACT:
JAKE CRISWICK, CEO, PLAY IT FORWARD
Where is the Campus located?
The Campus will be built in Livingstone, Zambia, on a newly acquired 4-hectare site between Morelight and Nakatindi communities.
Who will the Campus serve?
The Campus will serve young people in and around Livingstone, and will also be a shared space that supports the wider community through positive activities, events, and collaboration.
How was the Campus designed?
Leaf Studio Architects have led the masterplanning and architectural design, whilst Rise International have provided strategic and social-impact guidance, ensuring the Campus is community-led, environmentally sustainable and aligned with best practice in sport-for-development. The project design uses local materials, resources, and the entire architecture is reflective of Zambian culture and values.
Where will the £1m match funding come from?
Our Founder and Chairman, and CEO of Attraction Tickets, Oliver Brendon, has pledged to match all donations up to £1 million towards the construction of the Campus.
Can I donate without choosing a space?
Yes. You can donate to the overall Campus build and we’ll direct funds to the areas of greatest need within the project plan.
How will you keep supporters updated?
We’ll share build progress through regular updates (photos, milestones and fundraising progress) on our website, social media channels and newsletter (subscribe here) so you can see what your support is making possible.
How will the Campus be sustained long-term?
The plan includes social enterprise elements delivered over time, such as the leasing of pitch space to football teams in Southern Africa, leasing of meeting room and classroom spaces, and eventually the opening of an on-site cafe and restaurant, among others. These will help support ongoing running costs and keep youth programmes accessible.
Can I/my company sponsor an entire building/facility or partner with you?
Absolutely. We welcome individuals and corporate partners to sponsor spaces, contribute in-kind, or support specific parts of the build. Contact us and we’ll share options, including naming opportunities.
