During the pandemic, UK grassroots clubs lost as many as 60 percent of their members, and 96 percent had seen a reduction in income. While clubs were closed, bills, insurance, and grounds maintenance still had to be paid. Shockingly, 10% of grassroots clubs thought they might not exist in a year (source: Utilita State of Play Report.

Grassroots clubs play an important role in promoting regular exercise for young people, which is key to emotional wellbeing. Bearing in mind that 50% of mental health issues are established by the age of 14, words can’t describe how important grassroots clubs are to young people and the positive impact these clubs have on their livelihoods.

During the closure of grassroots clubs, three in four parents said their child had really missed having the ability to play. Across the UK, 21% of parents said their child had struggled to cope without playing football, which rose to 25% for children aged 9-11 (source: Utilita State of Play Report, 2020).

iPRO created the #iPRODirectToYou campaign to support grassroots clubs omitted from access to funding and grants. According to the Utilita State of Play Report in 2020, 63% of parents were approached by their child’s grassroots club for financial support. Out of those, 43% of parents responded to help fundraise. Despite their efforts, only 3% of parents said they were aware of any significant amounts raised. The saddening reality grassroots clubs face is what reinforces the #iPRODirectToYou campaign, and iPRO’s commitment to supporting grassroots sports at all levels.

On the 24th and 25th of July, iPRO marked the launch of #iPRODirectToYou by partnering with Dexter Sports YFC and Dominoes Netball Club for their junior tournaments. iPRO provided healthy hydration from their iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition range to both Clubs to sell at their events. All profits generated went towards funding the Club’s day-to-day running expenses. These are just the first club partnerships of many that will be supported by the #iPRODirectToYou campaign this summer.

iPRO Global Partnerships Director, Sophie Christy, spoke about the campaign: “We’re thrilled to be the Official Hydration Partner for these fantastic events, but even more so to initiate our #iPRODirectToYou campaign and support these clubs through unfamiliar times. The importance of the #iPRODirectToYou campaign extends to the survival and sustainability of grassroots sport in the UK.

“Words can’t describe the impact lockdown has had on sport – on and off the field, so it’s important we pull together as a community to support and save our grassroots clubs. Clubs like these allow thousands of young players to develop their skills and forge friendships that last a lifetime. Without them, we lose an integral part of our community.”

Founder of Dominoe’s Netball, Sarah Collins, also commented: “It was an emotional day at the first Dominoes Junior Netball Tournament after the Covid outbreak. It was great to watch 700 girls play netball after so long away from the court. There were smiling faces during competitive matches with players from all across the UK. Plus, there was no rain in Manchester!

“I was proud to offer all teams iPRO Hydrate drink packs, along with their nutritional information. It’s been a hot few weeks, and staying hydrated is vital. More so, iPRO sits right alongside the core messaging we send to our girls at the club: good nutrition, be good to the environment, and remember to drink lots. What’s also fantastic is to see such strong companies coming in and supporting the sport of netball at a grassroots level. We need more awareness of grassroots sports, and partners like iPRO only enhance this.”

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Discover new ways to generate revenue for your club by purchasing iPRO Hydrate – Sport Edition for less than £1 a bottle at www.iPRO.Direct to resell at the RRP of £1.50-£2. What’s more, you keep all the profits for your club!

Courtesy of iPRO

iPRO Hydrate is an Informed Sport Approved product and is fast becoming the leading healthy hydration drink for the health, fitness and wellness communities worldwide. This premium range of wellbeing drinks is free from artificial colours and flavours, and contains added vitamins to rehydrate players to optimal level.

Available in four fantastic flavours; Berry Mix, Orange and Pineapple, Citrus Blend and Mango Flavour, iPRO brings an excellent assortment for the player choice.

London City Lionesses are continually striving to achieve success both on and off the pitch and appointed Head Coach, Lisa Fallon, this summer.

Reacting to the news of the partnership Fallon said: “The partnership between iPRO and London City Lionesses is another great development for our club. Training demands mean players need to pay particular attention to their hydration and iPRO Hydrate will be a great addition to the player programmes.

“I also welcome the fact this partnership extends to our Development Squad and demonstrates further commitment to our player pathway.”

Naturally sweetened with Stevia, and containing added vitamins B5, B6, B7 and B12, as well as containing less than 3g of sugar per serving, iPRO Hydrate is the perfect hydration solution to replenish the players with essential minerals lost through sweat during game day.

iPRO has intensified its sustainability commitment to ensure all product packaging is fully recyclable within the UK’s current recycling infrastructure as the hydration experts recognise how sustainable packaging plays an integral role in communicating brand values to customers.

Commenting on the partnership London City Lionesses Nutritionist Tanya Kumar said: “Dehydration can lead to anything up to a 20 per cent drop in both physical and mental performance highlighting the importance for elite athletes to get it right and stay hydrated. Hydration strategies are individual to each player and it is great that we can partner with iPRO to incorporate their iPRO Hydrate drinks into these plans.”

iPRO National Account Manager, Charlotte Taylor, also commented: “We are extremely proud to partner with London City Lionesses ahead of the upcoming 20/21 Championship season. The club share our core values with their forward-thinking approach to health, wellbeing, community engagement and sustainability – which makes this a perfect partnership.

Hydration is vitally important for performance and recovery, and our premium products will provide the players with a healthy drink that uses only the highest quality ingredients. We are looking forward to supporting the club from kick off on 6th September!”

Durham players and staff are keen to experience the benefits that iPRO Hydrate provides, as the low sugar, healthy hydration drinks enable optimal hydration during Durham’s training and match days.

Available in four delicious flavours; Berry Mix, Orange and Pineapple, Citrus Blend and Mango Flavour, iPRO Hydrate is naturally sweetened with Stevia, enabling footballers to reach optimum hydration levels during training and on a match day without consuming any added colours, flavours or calorific value for optimal wellbeing.

Durham Women have a strong foundation as key links to Durham University enable all training to take place at the world class sports park.

With a lot of anticipation surrounding the restart of the FA Women’s Championship, Durham are excited to kick off the 2020/2021 season with an away fixture against Liverpool Women.

The partnership will put a strong focus on the importance of sustainability, with a commitment being made to emphasise the value of recycling to both players and consumers.

iPRO has worked hard to intensify it’s sustainability commitment to ensure that all product packaging is fully recyclable within the UK’s current recycling infrastructure. iPRO recognise how sustainable packaging plays an integral role in communicating our brand values to it’s customers and to mitigate it’s impact on the environment.

As iPRO continues to develop product packaging along side waste management and recycling organisations nationally, iPRO’s main focus is to ensure that each bottle has the optimum chance of being recycled back into plastic bottles providing closed loop bottle-to-bottle recycling.

Manager of Durham Women, Lee Sanders, commented: “It’s fantastic for the club to be partnering with iPRO and that they will provide the players with hydration products at both training and games throughout the next 2 seasons. iPRO want to work alongside the club and we share the same values, that is so important from a partner. The sustainability message is one that resonates at Durham and also within the university as we look to increase our opportunities for recycling year on year and on behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Charlotte Taylor and Sophie Christy from iPRO for the opportunity to work together and their keen interest in Durham Women FC”

iPRO National Account Manager, Charlotte Taylor, also commented: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Durham Women for the next 2 years. Optimum hydration is key for performance and we are delighted to be able to support the team with our healthy drinks to ensure they are performing at their best. We cannot wait for the new season to start and support the team’s performances on the pitch!”