Our founders
Tackle was founded in May 2002 by a group of young people from the UK who had all lived or worked in Africa at some point in their lives. They recognised the potential of football as a means of bringing people together and providing a platform from which to convey hugely important messages about HIV and AIDS.
Our Coaches and Partners
In early 2007, Tackle started to take the shape it has today. We piloted a unique way of combining HIV education directly into football coaching drills, publishing the first edition of our HIV education through a football coaching manual later the same year. The success of this led to an expansion of our curricula, and we now have a wide range of football coaching manuals covering all aspects of HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Through partnerships with local organisations, we train their football coaches to work with thousands of players. From small beginnings, Tackle now has programmes in twelve African countries, with a huge network of trained football coaches delivering messages on HIV and SRHR issues to football teams week in, and week out.
Our Governance
Tackle is governed by a Trustee Board, and small staff teams in the UK and each of the countries we work in.
Our Volunteers
We have a thriving volunteer network whose passion for both football and our work greatly increases our capacity and skill base. Through their commitment, time and enthusiasm, our volunteers assist in all aspects of what we do including, football coaching, PR, marketing and fundraising. If you are interested in volunteering for Tackle in the UK or Africa, please visit https://tackleafrica.org/get-involved/ or contact
Our Networks
We see relationships and partnerships with companies, trusts and other charities as a key way to improve and scale our work. In August 2016, Coaching for Hope became part of Tackle, allowing two of the UK’s leading international sport for development organisations to pool talent, share learning and provide an even better service to young people in Africa. Tackle also plays an active role in contributing to the wider Sport for Development sector in the UK and Africa, as well as being member of a number of HIV and SRHR consortia. If you’re interested in exploring a partnership with Tackle, please contact
Click here for a list of some of our partners.