Celebrating 20 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sport in Zambia

The Wallace Group, a pioneering collaboration seven leading UK universities, including Northumbria University proudly marked its 20th anniversary with a three-day celebration in Lusaka, Zambia. The Twentieth Anniversary Gala (TAG), held from 4–6 August 2025, commemorated two decades of impactful partnership with Zambian NGO Sport In Action through the Volunteer Zambia project.

Founded in 2005, the Wallace Group—comprising of Northumbria University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Durham University, Loughborough University, University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, and University of Stirling—has united over 1,000 student and staff volunteers in a shared mission to use sport as a catalyst for sustainable development, education, and youth empowerment.

Over the last 20 years, this UK-Zambia collaboration has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of young people and significantly contributed to Zambia’s sporting infrastructure. More than 15 million Zambian Kwacha has been invested in facilities such as basketball, netball, and volleyball courts across Lusaka.

In 2024 alone, the project reached over 17,000 young people through programming delivered nationwide—from Lusaka to Kaputa, Choma to Nakonde, and Livingstone to Chipata—demonstrating its deep community engagement and national reach.

“This milestone is a celebration of what can be achieved when institutions come together with a shared purpose,” said Dr Peter Warburton OBE, Honorary Dean of Wider Student Experience Durham University, Board Trustee of the Volunteer Zambia Foundation and founding member of the Wallace Group. “It’s a moment to reflect on our journey, honour our Zambian partners, and look ahead to an even more ambitious future.”

Twentieth Anniversary Gala Highlights

Officially launched by the Zambian Ministry for Youth, Sport and Arts, TAG brought together key stakeholders from Zambia and the UK, including representatives from the Zambian Government, National Sports Council Zambia, Zambian sports federations, British High Commission, World Netball, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia, and Wallace Group universities.

Two large-scale Sport and Sport for Development Festivals on 4 and 5 August engaged over 1,100 young people and coaches, with 98 teams from 22 hub sites across Lusaka, Kafue, Mazabuka, Choma, and Livingstone. With over 60% female participation, the events promoted inclusive sport and life skills education focused on gender-based violence, equality, and social inclusion. Participants also explored enterprise and entrepreneurship training, with many beginning their journey toward achieving the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Launch of Strategic Initiatives

During a special event hosted by the British High Commission, two major initiatives were unveiled:

• World Netball Partnership: Since 2017, the number of hub-sites in Zambia has grown from 5 to 49, supporting over 263 teams, 350 coaches (53% of whom are women), and more than 16,000 participants. Building on a partnership with World Netball that began with the 2019 Netball World Cup legacy project, Zambia’s successful community sport hub-site model is now being introduced to neighbouring countries. The model has already been established at 11 sites in Ivory Coast, with further expansion anticipated through support from World Netball’s new Sport Development Fund, part of the 2027 World Cup legacy programme.

Joan Smit - Africa Regional Development Manager for World Netball, said: “The Netball hub-sites are a brilliant Netball Development Model which was also a part of the very successful 2019 World Cup legacy project, which saw Zambia have huge success and make large strides forwards. Because of the success and sustainability of the Hub-Sites in Zambia, we decided that the hubs would be the perfect project to rollout to the rest of Africa, beginning here in Cote d’Ivoire. Further on from that, this is the perfect development tool to grow netball across Africa”

• The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia and Sport in Action have joined forces to empower young people through self-directed learning, sports, and community service. United by a shared commitment to education beyond the classroom and promoting active lifestyles, the initiative is helping youth across Zambia grow and thrive. Currently active in six project locations across three provinces—with expansion into the Copperbelt underway—the programme has achieved a remarkable 93% completion rate in its first cohort, exceeding the global average by over 20%. This success reflects the dedication and mentorship of Zambian leaders guiding the next generation. During the event at the British High Commission the second cohort of Bronze participants and the first cohort of Silver participants, along with the Award Leaders who have supported their journeys, received their award certificates from Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, said: “For 20 years, Sport in Action and the Wallace Group have created spaces where young people can discover who they are and what they are capable of. You have shown that sport is not just about physical strength it is about inner strength. It is about teamwork, discipline, and hope. And by embedding the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award into your work, you have added a powerful framework for personal development one that is recognised around the world. As we look to the next 20 years, I am inspired by your renewed commitment to deepen this work and to place the Award at the heart of your strategy. Together, we can reach more young people in rural areas, in underserved communities, in places where hope is fragile, but potential is vast. Together, we can equip a generation not just to survive but to lead, to serve, and to thrive.”

Building Zambia’s Sporting Future

The programme not only transforms communities but also continues to nurture national-level talent. Alumni from hub sites now lead Zambia’s sporting success, including Andres Lazarus Tembo (African Championship-winning coach), Monica Chidila (U20 Women’s Football Team Manager), Lyson Zulu (FAZ Technical Director), and Katambi Mwanza (Basketball Head Coach).

Celebrated at State House

To conclude the celebrations, representatives from Sport In Action, the Wallace Group, and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Zambia were honoured with a visit to State House. They met with senior government officials, including Jito Kayumba, Finance and Investment Advisor to the President. Discussions focused on strategic funding, expanding development efforts to underserved communities, and strengthening collaboration between government and civil society. The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to inclusive national development through sport.

Ben O’Connell, Director of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Chair of the Wallace Group Board of Directors, said: “It’s rare for partnerships to endure across decades, and the longevity of our collaboration with Sport In Action is something we’re incredibly proud of. What makes it even more meaningful is the sustainability of our programming and, most importantly, the immense and lasting impact it continues to have on young people across Zambia.”

Acknowledging Support

Sport In Action and the Wallace Group gratefully acknowledge the support of global sportswear brand Macron, the Volunteer Zambia Foundation, Durham University, and the University of St Andrews. Macron donated over 3,000 pieces of sports kit to hub site participants, coaches, and Duke of Edinburgh Award participants and leaders, reinforcing their commitment to youth empowerment and sport for development.

The Wallace Group remains dedicated to co-designing sustainable sports development programmes that empower young people, foster global citizenship, and create opportunities for leadership and education.

Frankson Mushindu, Executive Director of Sport In Action, said: “Together, we’ve shown that sport can be a powerful tool for social change. This anniversary is not just about the past—it’s about the future we’re building together.”

Northumbria Alumni Reflection: A Journey from Student to Leader

Northumbria University has been involved in the Volunteer Zambia Project since it started 20 years ago, with dozens of Northumbria staff and students visiting Zambia and making an impact on the projects they run over there. 

Jack Preston, a former Northumbria University basketball scholar and 2017 participant in Volunteer Zambia, now serves as International Sport Development Manager for the Wallace Group and Sport In Action's Sport Development Manager. He said: “Ultimately for me, if I had not chosen to study at Northumbria as a student, I'd have never come to Zambia and had a completely eye-opening experience.

Preston continued: “In my role, I have created and pioneered the concept and delivery of community sports hub-sites that are now being used in Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Mauritius. Without the opportunity Northumbria gave me to be a part of this project, both, I and thousands of other lives would not have been impacted the way they have to date.” 

For more information, visit:  www.volunteer-zambia.com & www.sport-in-action.com