SPORT MATTERS
RESEARCH INSIGHT’S SEMINAR
Dr Paul Donnelly
Sport Northern Ireland
12 September 2017
1.Background & Context
Sport Matters 2009-2019
Research Matters 2010 => present
Community Planning
New Strategy for Sport 2020-2030
2. Questions for Consideration
Information/Data Gaps
Approaches to Consultation
OVERVIEW
CONTEXT: Sport Matters
Determine the priorities
for sport over the next 10
years
Inform the direction of
future investment in sport
Ensure that there is a
widespread and agreed
strategic direction for
sport
TARGETS AND PRIORITIES
• Research framework
• Participation rates
among specified
groups
– All adults
– C&YP
– Disability
– Women
• Sport, PE, C&YP
• Economic impact
• Athlete performance
• Fit for purpose NGBs
• Coaching systems
and support services
• 2014 CWG medal
share
• Access to quality
spaces for sport
• Planning legislation
• Outdoor recreation
• Olympic &
Paralympic facilities
• Multi Sports Stadia
Participation Performance Places
26 HIGH LEVEL TARGETS
CONTEXT: Sport Matters
CONTEXT: Research Matters
“..need strengthen the evidence
base for decision making within
sport at all levels.”
Why?
Monitor and track progress against
targets
Inform policy development
Evaluate impact of investment
Solution
Development a Research Matters
Strategy
2010-2012 (c. £600k)
2013-2017 (c.£300k)
CONTEXT: Research Matters
Overarching Aim:
“ Conduct high quality research which
contributes towards evidence-based
decision making in sport to realise
strategic policy, reinforces the case for
the value of sport and enhances the
effectiveness of investment.”
CONTEXT: Research Matters
Key Themes for Research
STRATEGIC
MEASUREMENT
& MONITORING
STRATEGIC
KNOWLEDGE &
UNDERSTANDING
IMPACT
EVALUATION
ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Research to
establish baseline
data and track
trends.
Research to better
understand the
current and
anticipated needs of
sport
Research to
assess the
impact of
investment in
sport
Research to
assess and track
the economic
impact of sport
COMMUNITICATING AND DISSEMINATING RESEARCH FINDINGS
CONTEXT: Research Matters
CONTEXT: Community Planning
11 District Council Community
Plans in place (1 April 2017)
Significant challenges due to the
lack of ‘good’ information at
council level
Particularly, in the area of sport
and physical activity
Focus to date has been on high
level indicators against strategic
outcomes in community plans
Increased demands for local
and timely data….
CONTEXT: New Strategy for Sport
Led by Department for Communities
30 month project (1 Aug 2017 – Dec 2019)
Informed by meaningful consultation and a strong
evidence base
YOUR views are critical to both...
Questions for Consideration
What information/data gaps in relation to sport
and physical activity do you believe need to be
addressed?• Who should lead on the research?
• Who should fund the research?
• What should be the timeframes for delivery? (1, 2, 3)
• What partners should be involved?
What has been your experience of previous
consultation processes that you have been
involved with or participated in?• What lessons can we learn?
• Are there any new innovative/creative ways of consulting
that we should consider?
• How can we maximise responses and ensure the ‘right’
people are involved?
We need to address the gradients in active and social participation which are strong and quite resilient
We need to recognise that most sport involves individual activities undertaken in an informal context; how can the formal sports system tap into this type of demand
We need to understand that for many the barriers to participation are difficult to influence but the provision of more flexible offerings which cater to time-pressed individuals might help
SUMMARY OF KEY CHALLENGES
We need to acknowledge that life intrudes on the participation pathway and that transitions matter.
We should facilitate greater collaboration between team and individual sports bodies and seek to pursue a multi-sport investment strategy rather than the current uni-sport one
SUMMARY OF KEY CHALLENGES
Develop and agree a new research programme to address the
current and anticipated needs of the sporting community in NI
Key projects identified to date:
• SPLISS II 2018-2019
• 2018 Commonwealth Games Review 2018-2019
• All Island Sports Club Research Project 2017 & 2018
• NI Coaching Workforce Survey 2017-18
• Young People in Sport II – 2018
• SAPAS II – 2017/18 & 2018/19
Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement on the new Sport Strategy
• Propose to convene a group to support the design of the consultation
process for the new Strategy
NEXT STEPS
Dr Paul Donnelly
Sport Northern Ireland
02890383870
CONTACT DETAILS