Community Sports & Education Hub
Right now in Livingstone, hundreds of young people train each week 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.
Help build our Community Sports & Education Hub. A place where young Zambians can learn, play and thrive.
In March 2025, Play it Forward secured a 4-acre 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 Hub, designed to serve thousands of young people every year. It will be a safe, inspiring environment where children can learn, train, grow and thrive – on and off the pitch.
Why we need the Hub
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:
- Limited space for after-school learning
- No secure, gendered changing facilities
- An unsafe playing surface
The Hub will provide:
- Safe access for girls — dedicated girls’ changing rooms and toilets, secure spaces, and a safer environment so girls can participate with dignity and confidence.
- Learning beyond the classroom — learning spaces for after-school support and ICT facilities.
- A shared community space — owned by and serving the local community, with space for meetings, training, events and collaboration.
A new 4 Acre Site
Toilet Block
Sponsor for £55k
Changing Rooms
Sponsor for £80k
Kitchen & Canteen
Sponsor for £35k
Artificial Football Pitch
Sponsor for £220k
Library
Sponsor for £40k
Club House
Sponsor for £50k
Market Pavilion
Sponsor for £25k
Digital Skills Centre
Sponsor for £45kTO CLAIM YOUR NAMING OPPORTUNITY OR LEARN MORE CONTACT:
JAKE CRISWICK, CEO, PLAY IT FORWARD
What’s in the Hub
The Community Sports & Education Hub is a phased, multi-use facility designed to serve 10,000+ children and young people each year, while also providing facilities the wider Livingstone community can access and benefit from.
At its heart, the Hub brings together:
👉 Safe pitches for training and football-integrated health and education programmes
👉 Classroom and ICT spaces for learning, skills and support
👉 Income-generating spaces that’ll sustain the Hub and contribute to a thriving community long-term
The site has been fully secured, planning approvals are progressing, and architectural designs are complete — meaning the project is ready to move into delivery.
FAQs
Where is the Hub located?
The Hub will be built in Livingstone, Zambia, on a newly acquired 4-hectare site between Morelight and Nakatindi communities.
Who will the Hub serve?
The Hub 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 Hub designed?
Leaf Studio Architects have led the masterplanning and architectural design, whilst Rise International have provided strategic and social-impact guidance, ensuring the Hub 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 Hub.
Can I donate without choosing a space?
Yes. You can donate to the overall Hub 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 Hub 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.
