Wallace Group

The Wallace Group is a collaboration between eight of the leading ‘sport’ universities from the United Kingdom, who share a commitment to support the development of sport in Zambia through the Volunteer Zambia project.

The Wallace Group was formed in 2005 and today comprises seven of the top ‘sport’ universities from the United Kingdom:

University of Durham
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Loughborough University
University of Northumbria
University of St Andrews
University of Stirling
University of Edinburgh

The principal focus of the Wallace Group is to support the work of leading Zambian sports NGO Sport in Action.

Through our collaboration we have utilised our collective knowledge and experience to help shape the development of sport in Zambia, working with key stakeholders including the Zambian Government, to codesign sustainable sport development programmes that empower communities and provide a pathway for young Zambians in participation and leadership, and opportunities to learn and cultivate new lifelong skills.

The University of Bath supports the work of the Wallace Group and Sport in Action with a parallel sports facilities’ construction programme.

Our values

Collaborate to inspire through sport

Demonstrate resilience and optimism in the face of adversity

Share success and share the credit

Continually innovate to grow our reach and impact

Our principles

Empowering global citizens in the UK and Africa – encouraging young people to build their own understanding of world events; develop their values; take learnings into the real world; challenge ignorance and intolerance; get involved in their local, national, and global communities.

Sustainable development – delivering sustainable sport programmes by building capacity within local communities.

Student Development – placing the student at the heart of the project creating life changing, safe experiences that leave a legacy in country.

Developing partnerships to achieve gender equality – supporting positive perceptions on women and girls in sport, helping to break down barriers, increase participation, oppose social injustices, and reduce violence against women and girls – a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

Every summer, around 50-60 students and staff volunteers from across the eight Wallace Group universities join forces with colleagues at Sport in Action to deliver sustainable sport for young people in some of Zambia’s poorest communities.

We work with key partners to codesign and help deliver sustainable sport development programmes that empower communities and provide a pathway for young Zambians to learn and cultivate new lifelong skills through participation, education, and leadership.

The Wallace Group has developed strong relationships with key external stakeholders both in Zambia and the UK, working with partners to ensure the structures, and practices we build are sustainable for greatest impact,