A network of Your Move estate agency branches has extended financial backing to local athletes preparing to compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The move sees the property firm supporting elite sportspeople from the very communities in which its branches operate, prompting discussions about the role of local businesses in nurturing sporting talent.
The sponsorship drive is particularly prominent in Scotland, where Steve Hardaker Ltd, a franchise partner operating 13 Your Move branches, is supporting several athletes representing Scotland. Concurrently, Your Move branches in Cumbria have also provided assistance to two young athletes selected to represent England. This localised approach ensures that the support directly benefits individuals from the areas served by the estate agency.
Each of the sponsored athletes has received £1,000, a sum intended to help cover the significant costs associated with training, equipment, and competition at an elite level. Many athletes rely heavily on such sponsorships to fund their aspirations and enable them to compete on international stages. The Glasgow Commonwealth Games are scheduled to run from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
Among the athletes receiving support are weightlifters Beth Ashbee and Corey Duncan, boxers Stephanie Kernachan, Leo Church, and Niamh Mitchell, and para powerlifter Finlay Davidson. The initiative also extends to T20 1500m runner Ben Sandilands, karate athlete Caitlyn Rowson, and S9 para swimmer Brooklyn Hale, showcasing the diverse range of sports benefiting from the agency's commitment.
Steve Hardaker, owner of the LSL Estate Agency Franchising partner Steve Hardaker Ltd, expressed pride in supporting the athletes. He highlighted the privilege of aiding world-class competitors from their local areas on their journey to represent Scotland internationally. This initiative underscores a broader potential for local estate agencies and other businesses to play a more active role in the development and sustenance of grassroots and elite sports within their communities.