Our story

Born from a vision to bridge social divides through the universal power of sport.

The Sports Bridge International store at the Badminton Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos — Sports Bridge International · Ikoyi Club 1938, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

Sports Bridge International Foundation was born out of a vision to bridge social divides through the universal power of sport.

Evolving from RERNCO Sports Academy, the Foundation was created to expand its impact beyond sports participation into broader areas of social inclusion, youth empowerment, migrant integration, and community transformation.

We recognise that millions of young people around the world — especially those from underserved backgrounds and migrant communities — face barriers to access, belonging, and opportunity. Sport can break those barriers.

By combining sport, mentorship, education, and enterprise, we create practical pathways that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

Our Evolution

What began as RERNCO Sports Academy has matured into Sports Bridge International Foundation — a broader vision reflecting our expanded mission. The name change marks our commitment to building bridges: between people and opportunity, between cultures, and between underserved communities and the resources they deserve.

Mission & vision

Why we exist

Mission

To bridge the gap between sport, social inclusion, and economic opportunity by creating sustainable pathways for youth, women, migrants, and underserved communities through sport, education, mentorship, and enterprise.

Vision

To become a globally recognised platform where sport drives inclusion, opportunity, and social transformation for underserved and migrant communities.

“Sport can break those barriers.”

Why Sport?

Sport breaks down barriers that words cannot. It brings together people from different backgrounds, builds discipline and resilience, and creates natural opportunities for mentorship and growth. For migrant populations and underserved communities, sport offers something powerful: a level field, a sense of belonging, and a pathway to broader opportunity.

What we stand for

Five values that guide every decision

Inclusion

Creating spaces where everyone belongs.

Empowerment

We equip young people with the skills, confidence, and networks to shape their own futures.

Integrity

We are accountable to our participants, partners, and supporters in everything we do.

Community

We grow with the communities we serve, not just within them.

Impact

Creating measurable and lasting change.

The person behind the bridge

Led by purpose, driven by community.

Rerhe Idonije

CEO & Director of Philanthropy

Rerhe Idonije is a seasoned Trade, Partnership, and Franchise Development Advisor with over a decade of experience specializing in fostering strong trade relationships, franchise expansion, market and business development, strategy, policy formulation, media relations, public affairs, and economic advocacy.

Her expertise spans partnership brokering, international business development, franchise advisory, market entry strategy, sustainability, market research, digital transformation, strategic events management, and public relations across diverse sectors and international markets. She has successfully worked with governments, development institutions, multinational corporations, trade promotion agencies, and private sector organizations to unlock growth opportunities, facilitate investments, and strengthen commercial ecosystems.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rerhe is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sports Bridge International, a multi-sport retail, lifestyle, and community engagement company operating one of Nigeria’s emerging premium sporting goods platforms. Through its flagship store at Ikoyi Club 1938, Sports Bridge provides sports apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment across golf, tennis, badminton, squash, swimming, table tennis, basketball, fitness, and other active lifestyle categories. The company is also building a digital and physical ecosystem that connects global sports brands with African consumers while promoting participation, wellness, and sports commerce across the continent.

In addition, Rerhe co-founded Sports Bridge International Foundation (formerly RERNCO Sports Academy), a social enterprise committed to advancing sports development, youth empowerment, and social inclusion by creating opportunities for underserved communities and migrant populations through sport, education, and community engagement initiatives. Under her leadership, the organisation has gained affiliation with the Nigeria Squash Federation and is recognised as a squash promoter by the Professional Squash Association (PSA).

Rerhe holds an MBA in International Business and Sustainable Development from the Maastricht School of Business and Economics in the Netherlands, a certification in Innovation Management from RWTH Aachen University in Germany, and a BSc in Computer Science. An alumnus of the Pan-African University, Lagos, under the Senior Management Program (SMP).

In 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded her an Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) fellowship, a fully funded postgraduate (MBA) scholarship.

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