Sport & Leisure Internship

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About the Programme

The London Borough of Merton is teaming up with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to offer two paid, year-long internships designed specifically for young Londoners ready to kickstart their career in the sports, leisure and physical activity industry.

And because representation matters, these internships are part of our mission to build a more diverse, inclusive and future-focused sports sector.

Why work with the London Borough of Merton?

We’re on an exciting journey to become London’s Borough of Sport—one of our big ambitions is to help residents get active, stay active and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of movement. Whether it’s kids, older adults, families or first-timers, we want everyone in Merton to have access to sport and physical activity.

What would you be doing?

As a Sport & Leisure Intern, you’ll be involved in a wide range of impactful work:

• Co-create your own development workplan
• Collaborate with diverse and exciting partners
• Work with your line manager and a dedicated mentor
• Shadow senior members of the Sport & Leisure Team
• Gain new skills through the Skills Builder portal
• Experience events, grant management, communications, and high-quality programme delivery

You’re eligible if you are aged between 18 and 24 years and you meet one or more of the following:

• You are or have been known to statutory services
• You’re currently NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
• You have SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
• You’ve been excluded from education or attended a PRU
• You’re ‘First in Family’ to pursue higher education
• You have lower socio-economic status (e.g., accessing universal credit or free school meals)
• You are a care leaver or have care experience
• You identify as female
• You identify as LGBTQIA+
• You are from a marginalised ethnic community

If you're unsure or feel you align with the spirit of the programme, reach out to:
 📩 janna.scott@merton.gov.uk
 📞 07932 384029

Support

You will receive regular supervision from a designated line manager.

You will have access to mentor from an experienced professional.

There will be opportunities to attend internal and external meetings and shadow senior staff.  

Support in developing employability skills such as report writing, presentation skills and workplace communication

You will develop insight into different roles and career paths within sport, leisure, community settings and local government responsibilities. 

You will be encouraged to build a portfolio of contributions, reports, and achievements that will be useful for future job applications and reflecting on your development with the London Borough of Merton. 

Interviews will take place on the 26^th March at the Civic Centre, there are no alternative dates available. 

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close the vacancy early.