Discover Sport Foundation Empowers Underserved Athletes

Discover Sport, the fast-growing sport-tech social media platform, is rapidly expanding its global footprint thanks to the Discover Sport Foundation – a purpose-driven initiative designed to financially support underserved athletes who have earned the right to compete internationally but lack the resources to get there.

In many underfunded sporting markets, exceptional athletes fall through the cracks. Development systems are slow, sponsorship is scarce, broadcast exposure is limited, and grants rarely cover international competition costs.

The Foundation steps into that gap, giving qualifying athletes a legitimate pathway to apply for funding and compete on the global stage.

A Foundation Built on Real Experience

Leigh Watson, Founding Director of the Discover Sport Foundation, understands the financial strain of competitive sport firsthand. As a former National Champion and Springbok gymnast who competed internationally between 1987 and 1994, she’s lived the sacrifices athletes make long before they’re visible to the world.

“Finance can be a dismal road for aspiring sports stars,” says Watson. “We’ve seen families take out loans, parents jeopardise their retirement, and athletes miss life-changing international opportunities because of money. The Foundation is here to change that – intentionally, sustainably, and meaningfully.”

The Foundation’s purpose is deeply human. It recognises that sport is not just a financial burden but also a cultural one – a life of discipline, identity, and belief shaped over years of dedication.

Meeting Athletes at Their Most Defining Moments

“This Foundation exists for those human moments,” says Watson. “Where an athlete is selected, the dream feels real, and then suddenly the barrier of funding hits just as hard. We stand in that space with them — so their talent can reach the world stage where it belongs.”

A recent milestone reflects this mission clearly: the Foundation backed 16-year-old Zimbabwean vaulting athlete Ashley Lupondo, enabling her first-ever travel to Austria to compete in the Junior Equestrian Vaulting World Championships – the first Zimbabwean athlete to achieve this qualification.

Stories like Ashleys underscore the importance of equitable access. “Sport is the world’s most inclusive language, but opportunity hasn’t been equally shared,” Watson adds.

Supporting Athletes Across Disciplines

Another highlight this year includes financial support for South African trampoline athletes competing at the FIG Trampoline World Championships in Spain.

Since launch, the Foundation has supported 66 athletes – plus coaches – and continues to grow. A percentage of Discover Sport’s platform revenue goes directly into the Foundation, reinforcing long-term sustainability and transparent support.

Why This Matters Now

“This is bigger than one athlete or one sport,” says Watson. “This is about rewriting access across disciplines that might never dominate headlines – vaulting, trampoline, hockey, judo, MTB, climbing, ice skating – but still shape futures, identity, and national pride.”

Funding Criteria: How Athletes Can Apply

Athletes applying for financial support must meet the following criteria:

- Official selection to represent their country at an international event
- Confirmation of national colours awarded by SASCOC
- Formal federation selection documentation

Eligible athletes can apply at www.discoversport.com/pages/foundation

Building a Global Network of Support

With a growing reputation as “the app that gives back,” Discover Sport continues expanding its impact through its Foundation and corporate partnerships, including collaborations with Air France and KLM.

Corporate partners, philanthropists, federations, and impact-focused brands looking to contribute meaningfully to global sport are invited to collaborate. Enquiries: [email protected]