PLAYING FAIR WITH

PLAYING FAIR

WITH BALA SPORT

A new venture for Traidcraft and a significant step on the journey to creating the House of Fair

It is with the greatest pleasure that we share our exciting news with you… As of last month, Traidcraft became the proud custodians of Bala Sport; an inspirational business set up to expand the availability and use of ethically produced, Fairtrade-certified sports balls (focusing initially on footballs and rugby balls) in the UK and beyond. Since launching in 2014, one of the key roles of the Bala Sport co-operative was to raise awareness of the issues around Fairtrade sports balls, and show how a Fairtrade supply chain can help make a difference to the lives of some of the estimated 40,000 sports balls workers in Sialkot, Pakistan (where around 70% of the world’s hand-stitched balls are made), as well as in other surrounding countries.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to get the Fairtrade message into the sporting world. We are thrilled to pass on our brand to Traidcraft; it feels right that the pioneers of the fair trade movement in the UK should be at the forefront of moving it forwards.”

Annie Howie,

Former Bala Sport MD

“This is a huge moment for Traidcraft. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to continue Bala Sport’s mission to challenge injustice in the sporting world, and to develop on the fantastic work that’s already been done. We see this as an important step in our journey to creating the ‘House of Fair’; a coalition of fair trade businesses, brands and consumers who are committed to buying right.”

Matt Oliver

Traidcraft The Fairtrade Premium was used to help fund projects like free eye care and subsidised glasses, free diabetes checks, free school books and backpacks for workers’ children and free transport to work. The Premium also part funded larger scale projects such as water purification plants located just outside the factory gates, so that anyone in the community can take advantage of free, safe drinking water. The team at Bala Sport developed this pioneering brand from scratch, and have already made huge strides in bringing the Fairtrade message to the sporting world. Without the on-going support of its investors, supporters and cooperative members, Bala Sport wouldn’t be in such a strong position as it is in today, empowering sports ball makers in India and Pakistan, so we couldn’t possibly go any further without extending our gratitude to them.

Bala Sport has done so much of the ground work, and has lots to celebrate, so it is with excitement and anticipation that we head into a future with them. We hope that we can build on their already rich heritage, and continue to grow and develop Bala Sport even further in the coming years, encouraging customers up and down the UK to #PlayFair with Bala Sport.

If you’d like to find out more about this exciting development, or would like to pre-order your very own Bala Sport ball, contact info@balasport.co.uk