In their final year, BSc (Hons) Sport Management and Coaching students were tasked with producing short films tackling sensitive issues, using sport as a powerful tool for social transformation.

The result was a series of three-minute social campaign films advocating for positive change through sport, addressing topics like youth violence and crime; parental pressure; mental health; and gambling.

You can access these films on the ConnectSport CIC website

Using sport for good

The challenge required students to engage with the public and explore the lived experiences of those directly affected by these issues.

David Hodgson, part of the student team who worked on Men, Mental Health, and sport – A collaboration with Bath City FC, said,

It was a great learning experience, allowing us to be creative and offering freedom in how we approached the project. Collaborating with professional companies was a highlight. I believe these films will raise awareness of the issues we tackled, and that was our ultimate goal.

Professor Emma Rich, who leads the course, praised all of the students:

Their creativity and commitment were exceptional. By collaborating with local organisations and communities, they created impactful films addressing critical social challenges. This project enhanced students’ public engagement skills while showcasing the power of creative storytelling to inspire meaningful change.

She thanked key contributors including guest lecturer Simon Lansley of ConnectSport CIC; Phil Chamberlain, from the Tobacco Control and Research Group; and Kirsty Morlese, Ana Bertolossi, Aneesa Zafar and Femke Davis the University’s academic and digital skills team, for their guidance in filmmaking, copyright, and editing.

Emily Salvidge, Business and Partnerships Development Manager, who helped set up the collaborations, added:

It is so valuable for students to engage direct with partners. Organisations have been impressed by the high standard of work and professionalism shown. Many plan to use these films on their own platforms, demonstrating the real-world impact of this project.

Emily Richards, Head of Strategic Engagement in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, said:

Many of our partners are small grassroots organisations without the resources to produce this type of content. These collaborations have not only benefited students but also given organisations fresh insights and ideas.

This initiative required students to develop entirely new skills, supported by tutorials and short guides on production, sound, and editing from the university’s digital team. The films will live beyond the classroom thanks to ConnectSport CIC who are hosting these documentaries on their website, extending their reach and amplifying their message. Simon Lansley, founder and managing director, said,

At ConnectSport CIC, we work with a growing cohort of students based at numerous Universities to produce compelling written, video and audio content which demonstrates how sport and physical activity are being used every day across the UK to tackle inequalities, improve lives and strengthen communities. We’re proud to have played a small role in supporting the students at the University of Bath who have produced these short but impactful films. ConnectSport CIC is a not-for-profit, and all investment goes back into training more young journalists and content creators around sport for good.

Participating organisations included Bath City Football, Bath Rugby and Pads on a Roll.

Niamh D’Arcy, UK Head of Sales and Growth at Pads on a Roll, described the collaboration:

Working with University of Bath students has been a highlight for us. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism were remarkable. The film they delivered was exceptional, bringing our mission to life in a way that was deeply moving and perfectly aligned with our values. We are immensely proud to have partnered us with such talented individuals.

Full list of videos

Find out more and watch each video.

Men, Mental Health and sport – A collaboration with Bath City FC

Pratham Dikshit, David Hodgson, Maddie Hilbert, Evie Duncan, Geroge Middlewick, Max Gunnell

Some reference to mental health

Sport and youth crime

Sam Percival, Romario Reid

Some reference to crime

Breaking barriers with Bath Ladies Rugby – A collaboration with Bath rugby

Becca Lacey, Lauren Jeffery, Dylan Jones, Jack Dixon, Dylan Milner, Varun Manohar, Ayo Dosunmu, Benju Williams

Against all odds – Sports gambling

Monty Hadow, Ben Stoolman, Ollie Bird, Ben Robertson, Jack Craik, James Jones

Some scenes of gambling

Balancing act – Parental Pressures from the sidelines

Ollie Clow, Maisie Dennison, Sasha Elliot, Abby Rolland, Lauren McGinnis, Clara Pastor, Sophia Al Hussaini, Kasper Mikla

Women’s safety and running

Deni Agnew, Ellie Pearson, Rosie Bignell, Lucy Driver, Josh Taylor, Tom Hands

Some reference to harassment and fear

University sport and culture of drinking

Alice Howitt, Alfie Dawson, Ella Turner, Ella Thorpe, Georgina Knatchbull, Stephanie Bryer, Amadine Woodberry, Ben Britton

Collaboration with UoB Nightline support. Contains scenes of drinking alcohol

Tackling stigma – Menstruation, Sport and Period Poverty – A collaboration with EGAL Pads on a roll

Molly Cousins, Lucy Blanchard, Sarina Crannis, Lily Smith, Charlotte Jones

Men, Mental Health and Sport – A collaboration with Movember

Trishan Patel, Clay Chapman, Reis Norman, Zack Sedelmeier, Christian Streater, Ethan Hart, Alex Briggs, Owen Cooksley

Some reference to mental health and suicide

Balancing Life – the reality of being a student athlete

Sam Cobb, Charlie Brown, Toby West, Toby Lazeris, Amelia Rishman, Tom Hills

#Breaktheline – Rugby Academies and mental health

Jack Mills, Ethan Wetherell, Sam Collens, Ben Chapman

Some reference to mental health issues

Increasing Chinese youth sport participation

Will Wang, Damon Wu, James Zhang, Jon Cheung, David Jones

Athlete retirement and transitioning

Yasmin Charlton-Gershon, Jemima Jaggar, Harry Withers, Archie Friend, Todd Benney, Cerys King, Sam Benson

Sports gambling and university students

Josh Cook, Fintan Russell, Ivan Newsome, Jack Aldrich, Izzy Ingram, Will Burton, Dom Randall

Some scenes of gambling and drinking alcohol

#Playtoinspire: Women’s football – A collaboration with Bath City FC

Millie Stacey, Erin Duffy, Amy Baker, Nyle Crocker, Karrie Clark, Surya James

Steel Warriors - Tackling knife crime through sport

Nico Vallone, Alessandro Corbo, Pedro San Pedro, Arinze Tross, Vaslii Iaroshenko, Joaquim Matcham