British tennis ace Tim Henman is calling on this year’s Wimbledon stars to smash speed records and help serve up digital connectivity to people, communities and businesses on the wrong side of the digital divide.
It’s part of a drive to support Vodafone’s new Connect Better challenge , which will provide up to 75,000 connections to those in need by tracking the fastest serves in miles per hour every day across the gentlemen’s, women’s and wheelchair singles games and matching the total in donated SIM packages, technology and other resources.
Indeed, it will not only match the total but multiply it by 14, the number of days the tournament runs. With the men’s fastest speed reaching 141 mph last year, the women’s 121mph and Tokito Oda’s wheelchair fastest of 101 mph, this would equate to 71,148 free connections and Vodafone hopes to go even higher.
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The challenge will contribute to its everyone.connected initiative which aims to help four million people and businesses cross the digital divide by the end of next year.
Vodafone ambassador and British tennis star, Tim Henman OBE, said: “I’m calling on all the tennis players at this year’s Championships to hit their fastest serves, not just for the glory of the game, but to support Vodafone’s Connect Better challenge. Each powerful serve will directly contribute to donating essential digital resources to those who need them most.”
The challenge to cross the digital divide - which refers to the gap between people with internet access and people without it - comes as research reveals that 43% of adults said they’d find it difficult to identify opportunities to get involved in sports without digital connectivity, while a third (33%) would struggle to do so for their children.
Over two thirds (67%) of the 2,000 adults surveyed said having access to the internet plays a huge role in keeping them fit and healthy and helping them take part in sport and exercise. In fact, 63% of new sports club sign ups - for adults and parents doing so for their children - are all done online.
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Nearly a third (31%) said they use digital connectivity to find local sports clubs, book themselves into classes or sessions (27%) and to order kit and equipment (18%). Over a quarter (26%) rely on the internet to connect with other people, such as other parents at their child’s sports club, while one in eight (12%) use it to book their children into sports classes.
The barriers created by digital exclusion extend to the local sports clubs themselves, with research conducted by Vodafone’s charity partner, Sported, revealing that 66% of Sported’s member clubs do not consider themselves well connected. In fact, nearly a quarter (23%) say they are poorly connected - or not connected at all.
Meanwhile, internet access is not only crucial to engaging in sport – but watching it too. Almost a quarter (24%) catch the Wimbledon action online and 42% log on to check the results and order of play.
Sarah Kaye, Chief Executive of charity Sported, said: "Poor connectivity and a lack of resources severely limits the potential of sports clubs in deprived communities. Access to the internet, modern devices, and essential digital skills are crucial for these clubs and organisations to thrive. Unfortunately, many are left behind due to a lack of these resources, restricting their opportunities for growth, collaboration, and exposure.
“71% said a free 6-month SIM plan would be valuable to how they operate. That is exactly why programmes like Vodafone’s everyone.connected are essential in helping to bridge the digital divide. It not only equips these difference-makers with connectivity but also fosters a sense of community and inclusion, ensuring no one is left behind in our increasingly connected world.”
Nicki Lyons at Vodafone UK, comments: “As the Official Connectivity Partner to The Championships, we recognise that the digital divide extends to the world of sport. Many individuals, communities and businesses lack the necessary connectivity to fully participate in and enjoy sports activities. This divide poses a barrier to accessing training resources, engaging with sports communities, and even promoting local clubs effectively.
“Our everyone.connected initiative is designed to help address these challenges. By providing essential digital resources and support, we aim to empower sports enthusiasts, grassroots clubs, and businesses – who are often volunteers – to ensure that more people in sport can benefit from the opportunities that connectivity brings.”
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