Our History
More than three decades of sports development in Haringey.
The Beginning
In 1991, significant budget reductions resulted in Haringey Council closing its Community Action Sport development team. This left the borough without dedicated local sports development provision.
In 1992, Burk Gravis established Haringey Sports Development, with early backing from the Tottenham Grammar School Foundation. The organisation gained charitable status in 1994.
A Sporting Vision
The original vision was based on the belief that young people should have the opportunity to take part in sport and that Haringey schools should be supported in developing high-quality Physical Education and School Sport.
One of the Trust's earliest areas of work was coordinating Haringey's participation in the London Youth Games. Before 1992, Haringey had not finished inside the top twenty of the 33 London boroughs taking part.
Building Success
Over the following three decades, the Trust helped transform Haringey's sporting performance. Haringey achieved first place in the London Youth Games for two successive years, finished second the following year, and then returned to first place as back-to-back winners, including the current year.
From 2003, School Sport Partnerships created new opportunities for the Trust to support schools through coaching and competition. Following national changes in 2010, the Trust continued to support School Games Organisers and the Haringey School Sports Association.
The success of this partnership contributed to Haringey becoming London School Games champions seven consecutive times. In 2018, the Haringey School Sports Association became part of the Trust.
Continuing the Journey
Today, Haringey Sports Development Trust continues to build upon more than three decades of sporting development, creating opportunities for children and young people across Haringey to participate, develop, compete, volunteer and achieve through sport.