Bala Sport Fairtrade Sports Balls & Competition

You might have seen the article in last month’s magazine about Fairtrade footballs, and watched the video about how they are made. If you haven’t already done so check out the news on the Bala Sport website to find out how incredible Fairtrade sports balls are.

Bala Sport was set up, not to make a big profit for share-holders, but to provide a fair deal for workers who make sports balls in India and Pakistan. The company has two Scottish secondary schools as members/ investors, so the students at these schools can have a say in the running of the business.

Schools are also some of the biggest customers, regularly stocking their sports cupboard with Fairtrade football, rugby and futsal balls. With schools and sports centres all closed, along with no sport being played due to the current Coronavirus pandemic the company is suffering from low sales, which means that the workers will not gain so much benefit from the Fairtrade Premium. This is an extra amount (on top of what they buy the balls from the factories for). The workers democratically decide what social development projects they want to invest this money in (as you can see in the video in the last month’s article), usually healthcare and free school books and backpacks for their kids. So it’s important that people in the UK keep buying the balls.

There’s lots we can do to help give a fair deal to developing country sports ball workers by helping increase sales. When you’re back to school you could think of influencing a local football or rugby club, like Lochardil Primary School did. They decided to do some fundraising to buy some Fairtrade balls to present to their local footy club, Inverness Caledonian Thistle. As a result the club’s women’s team regularly train and play with Bala Sport Fairtrade balls. This means that other clubs will see that there’s an ethical alternative to the big brand balls. In Glasgow a group of students at Shawlands Academy held an anti-racism football tournament and they used Bala Sport Fairtrade balls for their event. Click here for more information and pictures and to watch a short video of the event.

We can all change the game and make a difference with Fairtrade sports balls. What will you do? www.balasport.co.uk
Instagram: BalaSport