Sky races ahead at Beyond Sport awards

Sky has been named the Corporate of the Year at the annual Beyond Sport Awards for its Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative.?

The Beyond Sport Awards, now in its fifth year, recognise leading initiatives across the world that make a difference to people's lives through sport.?

Through its partnership with Youth Sport Trust, Sky Sports Living for Sport uses sports stars, including Sky ambassadors David Beckham, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Darren Campbell, and sports skills to improve the lives of 30,000 young people in a third of secondary schools each year.?

Now in its 10th year, the scheme raises the aspirations and improves the life skills of young people. Participants show an increase in self-confidence and improved attitudes to learning and well-being as a result.

Bella Vuillermoz, Director of the Bigger Picture at Sky, commented: "We are so proud of Sky Sports Living for Sport and the difference it makes to the lives of young people. It's brilliant to have the initiative recognised in this way. The award is a huge credit not just to our team of 78 athlete mentors and our brilliant partner, the Youth Sport Trust, but also to the thousands of teachers who we work hand in hand with each year."

Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair, Youth Sport Trust said: "The Youth Sport Trust is absolutely delighted that Sky has received this well-deserved, prestigious award. They have been an outstanding partner for the Trust for the last ten years and the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme has changed the life chances of thousands of young people in our schools".?

The initiative is now available to Irish schools with a goal of encouraging thousands of young people across a third of secondary schools in Ireland to take part within the next three years.?

Sky was nominated for the Corporate of the Year award by an influential panel of ambassadors, chaired by Tony Blair and including Lord Coe, Dame Kelly Holmes, Professor Michael Porter, Michael Johnston and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.?

The Beyond Sport Awards ceremony took place in Philadelphia in conjunction with the Beyond Sports Summit 2013, a global gathering of international sports organisations, company leaders and influential political figures.