Being there for Sunderland's kids
Football, camps, clubs and everything else are how we do it, and they're the reason a kid walks through the door. They're not the reason we exist.
See what we run Get in touch158
hours of activities every week
900+
people through our doors every week
350+
at our healthy breakfast clubs every week
40+
adult volunteers
Why we're here
North East Sport exists to be there for Sunderland's young people, week in, week out, so they grow up with a solid foundation and become good people. Not football. Being there.
"It's not what you do in life, it's what you leave behind. For us that's a young person who comes back years later, on the right path, and treats people the way they were treated here."
Peter Curtis, Founder and Director
Our culture
Hard to describe and easy to feel. These are the five things we do that make it what it is.
We stay
Eighteen years, same faces. We know your name and we notice when you're not there.
We respect people and expect it back
Coaches turn up on time with the kit right. The kid who mouths off gets told and gets kept. Parents get a straight answer.
We give everyone a job to do
Volunteers, coaches, and a nine year old who has to turn up because ten others are counting on them. Being needed is half of a foundation.
We keep the door open
Prices as low as they'll go, free places wherever funding allows, toddlers upwards, girls and boys.
We compete properly
Proper leagues, proper standards. Winning teaches a kid that effort has consequences.
What we run
Every year we run hundreds of sessions across Sunderland and the wider North East, for people of every age, interest and need.
Football teams
From small beginnings we've grown to 13 football teams of all ages, plus development sessions from toddlers up and our girls only Wildcats.
Football sessionsHoliday camps
Football and multi activity camps every school holiday, and beach camps in summer: rockpooling, arts and crafts, shelter building and sport on our own coastline.
Holiday campsSchool work
PE in schools across every sport. Some schools have worked with us for well over eight years.
For schoolsBreakfast and after school clubs
Our day starts early with breakfast clubs and often ends with after school football, dodgeball and multi skills.
Sunrise and Sunset clubsCommunity work
In partnership with Sunderland City Council we've done almost everything, from litter picks and Ranger programmes to Christmas parties for older people.
Youth and communityVolunteering
Well over a hundred volunteers have come through North East Sport over the years, and more than forty are with us right now. Thank you to every one of them.
Volunteer with usOur coaches
Over the years we've mentored and supported dozens of coaches and volunteers. Some have gone on to great careers. It's always a shame to lose good coaches, but we're delighted to have helped them on their way.
Communities together
Over eighteen years we've brought communities together through sport. Thousands of young people have played with us, whatever their background or ability, and we're proud of that.
Success
Our community work has won awards, including the Durham County FA Respect and Fair Play Award and recognition from the Barclays Premier League. We're not bothered about awards. We do this because we love it. But it's nice once in a while.
Come and join in
Whether it's football, a holiday camp or volunteering, there's a place for you here.
Football sessions Holiday camps