The Active journey began in 2005, when founder Mark Whitwood launched the very first Active Soccer session in Lydiate, Sefton, with just four children attending. Supported by the Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust), what started as a single grassroots football class was driven by a powerful belief — that sport could change lives.
From that very first session, Mark saw something special. It wasn’t just about football — it was about confidence, smiles, friendships, and giving children a place where they felt they belonged. That moment laid the foundations for what Active would become and defined the values that still guide us today: FUN, HEALTHY, and INCLUSIVE.
As word spread and more families joined, Active Soccer grew steadily, supporting more children, more schools, and more communities. Every session delivered helped shape not only better players, but stronger, happier, and more confident young people. What began with just four children on a local pitch in Sefton quickly became something much bigger — a trusted organisation with a mission to make a lasting difference.
For over a decade, Active Soccer focused purely on football, building strong foundations an a reputation for quality and care. Then, in 2014, a major milestone was reached with the opening of the Active Sport Centre in Maghull. Featuring three floodlit 5-a-side pitches, the centre became more than just a facility — it became the home of our growing organisation and the hub for our head office support team. It symbolised our long-term commitment to providing accessible, high-quality spaces where children and communities could thrive.
After 15 successful years as Active Soccer, 2020 marked the beginning of a new chapter. As our vision grew beyond football, we rebranded to become Active Sport — reflecting our ambition to offer more opportunities, reach more children, and create a broader impact.
This transformation led to the creation of programmes, including:
Active Tots – introducing younger children to movement and play
Active Sport – delivering inclusive multi-sport programmes
Active XT Club – providing extended activity, childcare, and development opportunities
These programmes, launched in 2021 and expanded our reach and allowed us to support children at every stage of their development journey.
Innovation has always been part of our DNA. In 2021, we launched Sport Software, our bespoke digital platform designed to help schools, activity providers, and sports clubs manage their operations, organise teams, and deliver programmes more efficiently. This technology empowers active to focus on what matters most — creating great experiences for children.
Now, in 2026, we are proud to launch our new website and brand identity, bringing together everything Active Sport represents today. This milestone reflects how far we’ve come — from a single football session in 2005 to a trusted organisation delivering impactful programmes, supporting communities, and inspiring the next generation.
But our mission remains the same as it was on day one:
To create opportunities for children to be active in a space that is fun, healthy, and inclusive
