Strategic Sports Partnership

Sports resources

Visit NAVCA's new sports resources pages - information on how and why sport and the third sector work together, examples of sport and the wider third sector working together and resources to support joint working.



About the Strategic Sports Partnership Project

NAVCA's Strategic Sports Partnership Project demonstrates the partnership approach developed between Sport England and NAVCA. This project will make a significant impact on the relationships between Sport England, sporting organisations and the wider third sector.

Carrie McKenzie was appointed the Sports Partnership Strategic Advisor in April 2007. Working primarily at a strategic level, she is engaging relevant partners from the third sector and sporting arenas to maximise opportunities for collaborative working. By adopting this partnership approach, local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) and those involved in sport will be able to work together, adding synergy and sharing knowledge, skills, expertise and resources. Voluntary and community sports clubs have traditionally stood outside the mainstream third sector. They have not benefited from the support that could be offered by working at a national, regional and local level with NAVCA and its member LIOs.

Carrie is working at national and regional levels to achieve the project outcomes. She is currently working on a national engagement plan to provide strategic direction to the Sports Partnership Project, for both NAVCA and Sport England whilst providing opportunities for "buy in" from key partners. In particular this will draw on Sport England's new strategy.

Regionally, she is working strategically with Sport England regional offices and third sector regional networks to develop regional engagement plans. These plans also involve operational strands to work at a more devolved level. These involve ensuring that there are opportunities for sports clubs and organisations to work with their local third sector LIO and ensuring that the benefits of local engagement to address social exclusion in disadvantaged communities and to increase adult participation in sport are realised.


Project outcomes

  • To embed a culture of collaboration between local infrastructure organisations and those involved in the new delivery system for sport nationally through to district level.
  • Local sports organisations and groups will access services from local third sector organisations and their members so they can improve their effectiveness and reach, especially in ensuring there are more opportunities for people who face disadvantage and social exclusion to benefit from participation in sport.
  • Influence local policy making and resource allocation (in the context of local area agreements)


If you would like more information on NAVCA's strategic work on sports issues, please contact Carrie McKenzie.