CSPANs are not about re-inventing the wheel but adding value to what already exists. They should be a group of local delivery agents drawn from a range of relevant organisations and sectors that successfully coordinate opportunities for sport and physical activity in the local area by providing effective leadership.
CSPANs should identify local needs, priorities and potential interventions and develop a locally shared vision with “buy in” from key partners including the Local Strategic Partnership to create economies to scale. CSPANs must be a partnership approach at all levels.
Whilst it is acknowledged that there should be flexibility in how CSPANs develop, enabling them to be responsive to local need, it makes sense that each sign up to some core outcomes which will enable the Delivery System to maximise its effectiveness and help CSPAN partners to achieve their priorities.
Core outcomes for all CSPANs
- Increase number of people taking part in sport and physical activity by 1% year on year with a particular but not exclusive emphasis on women and girls, lower socio-economic groups, black and minority ethnic groups and individuals with a limiting disability (Sport England’s priority groups);
- Widen access to opportunities for sport and physical activity;
- Bring together and align partners existing priorities and targets within one joined up local action plan for sport and physical activity within the CSPAN area, based upon needs of local communities and ensuring clarity in roles and responsibilities.
In addition to achieving the core outcomes there are many other benefits that CSPANs will provide including:
- Adding value to what already exists and learning from each other;
- Reflecting upon what is currently happening and helping to evolve and realign work if necessary;
- Improving communication between partners and providing a “single voice approach”;
- Making better use of existing local resources and identifying new projects;
- A “bottom up” influence on strategic planning and delivery that reflects local needs and demographics;
- Recognising, rewarding and celebrating excellence and achievement at a local level;
- Providing an opportunity to work towards achieving collective and individual targets;
- Demonstrating the power of sport and physical activity in supporting wider agendas;
- Feeding local plans through to and working with Active Gloucestershire to help shape investment priorities and secure funding;
- Influencing the local evidence base for investment in sport and physical activity at all levels.
