Graeme "Dezzi" Higginson

I have seen the massive benefits that sport can bring to individuals, particularly young people and children. It has long been my dream to establish an organisation that from first to last is focused entirely on the social development of young disadvantaged people and children through a variety of sporting activity, utilising top-flight professional coaches.

As a professional footballer with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers I have seen first hand the huge benefits that sport can bring to the social development of young people. It has been a privilege over the last thirty years to be heavily involved, on a voluntary basis, with young people from privileged backgrounds along with young people who have been socially disadvantaged, disabled, or have offended. For me it was a natural progression to set up Opportunity Sports Foundation.

Involvement in sport has changed my life and provided me with opportunities that I could have only dreamed of. At OSF we have achieved significant success through focused sport activity. The success of our sport development initiatives has led to another natural progression - obtaining full charity status.

We are delighted that individuals and organisations have positively endorsed our work and we are pleased to share these endorsements with users and potential users of our non-profit making service.

I believe OSF will provide significant opportunities for the youth of Lancashire and the North West through the provision of first class sport coaching. It will be up to young people of the region to grasp this opportunity and seize the chance to take ownership of their own destiny.

Sincere best wishes

Norman Bell

Chairman of Trustees, OSF