CSM partners with Switch the Play Foundation

CSM Sport and Entertainment has partnered with Switch the Play Foundation, an organisation that supports, educates, and develops athletes, during and beyond their sporting career.

Switch the Play was set up in 2014 with athlete’s voices at its heart. Sports stars such as Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, International Badminton player Emma Mason and England Netball International, Stacey Francis-Bayman, all sit on the board. In 2020 they gained charity status, allowing them to help more people than ever before. Its mission is to empower sportspeople to plan for and manage a successful transition to life outside of sport, a notion that aligned with CSM’s values as one of the world’s leading sports marketing agencies.

As part of the partnership, CSM will provide a range of support from mentoring Switch the Play athletes on different career pathways within the industry, to guidance on enhancing digital assets such as their website and assisting with fundraising activities for the foundation. In addition to this, a number of CSM employees will spend time with the charity as part of the company’s ‘Give Back Day’ initiative which gives all employees two days a year that they can spend out of the office, away from their day jobs, to help a cause of their choice. The partnership forms part of CSM’s wider Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, to support local communities.

Matt Vandrau, CEO at CSM said, "As an ex-professional cricketer myself, when I heard about Switch the Play Foundation, what they stand for really resonated with me. At CSM, we are committed to driving diversity and inclusion not only in our business but within the wider sports industry too. Switch the Play want to ensure that all sportspeople, irrespective of what they achieved in their sporting careers are supported in fulfilling their potential outside of sport, which is a cause CSM is delighted to support."

Rob Young MBE, Chief Executive of Switch the Play Foundation said: "We are delighted to join forces with CSM to give athletes access to one of the world’s leading sport and entertainment agencies. As a charity, we are here to bring awareness to sportspeople transitioning out of sport and educate and empower them on how to be better prepared for when their sporting career ends, and we feel this partnership will do just that."