The Coalition has joined with national partners to launch a new research project aimed at understanding and defining the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations and their workforces across the UK’s sport for development landscape.
In challenging times as the UK faces a cost-of-living crisis, sport for development – or the intentional use of sport and physical activity to generate multiple, positive health and societal outcomes – offers a cost-effective solution for policy-makers seeking greater return on investment from public spending.
To support this process, the Coalition has been focusing on the development of the sector’s workforce, as agreed during its ‘Town Hall’ session in Bristol in February. It has set up a ‘People’ Working Group as part of its governance, and is now joining forces with system partners Sport England, Sported, CIMSPA and UK Coaching to commission and conduct a survey of the sector, which is being conducted by Sporting People Ltd.
The research will listen to the voices of organisations and individuals that make sport for development happen, in order to:
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Build a deeper understanding of who the delivery workforce is, now and for the future
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Build a deeper understanding of current learning and development needs, and identifies the gaps
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Build a deeper understanding of people planning and how it is applied
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Build a deeper understanding of what it meant by professionalisation across the volunteer and paid workforce and how this is to be strategically positioned and recognised
Steve Mitchell, Director for Sporting People, said: “We are looking forward to engaging with, and hearing from organisations and individuals during October and November, with early findings being presented back to the commissioners in early December.
“It has become abundantly clear that the organisations and people that make sport for development happen need to be heard, supported and nurtured, but currently there is no systematic way to understand and meet their development needs.”
How to support the research
Complete the survey: During October the Coalition is calling on sport for development organisations to complete an online survey which will take around 25 to 30 minutes. Complete the survey. (Closes Wednesday 2nd November)
Attend a focus group: During November there will be a series of online focus groups being held via Zoom. Please register on one of the dates below:
- Friday 4th (1230-1400)
- Friday 11th (0930-1100)
- Friday 11th (1115-1245)
- Friday 11th (1300-1430)
- Friday 11th (1445-1615)
For more information about the project please reach out to [email protected].
