STT Publications
Sports Think Tank are always looking for new, exciting opportunities to conduct research and publish our findings for the wider benefit to the sports sector. We like to ensure that these come to life through debate and discussion.
Duty of Care Report
In the Summer of 2017 we have been commissioned to investigate the level of understanding and support for the Duty of Care Report published by Tanni Grey-Thompson and her panel. We will publish in the autumn of 2017 but we are looking for people to participate in our Online Survey. Please contact us if you are interested in taking part.
Discussion Paper Series
In order to stimulate discussion and debate we produce very short papers asking the questions we feel are topical.
We have returned to the theme of funding for sport as cuts in public spending continue to bite at national and local level.
Overall Public funding remains only a small part of the £38bn Sports economy, so we always like to look at this issue in the bigger picture!
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ and the UK Sport Sector
Following the referendum in June the concept of Brexit and what it could mean to the UK has been much debated, including in other blogs on this website. As we move towards the triggering of Article 50 and kick starting Brexit negotiations, it is important that the UK sport sector has a clear picture of the level of funding it receives from the EU and can seek to retain that level of funding, either through continued participation in EU programmes or through equivalent funding at the national level.
Today Sports Think Tank publishes a report by EOSE on Erasmus+ funding for UK sport organisations. Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport, worth €14.7 billion over seven years from 2014 – 2020. The report lists various projects and the funding attached to them. Although it is difficult to arrive at a definitive figure of financial support to the UK sport sector from Erasmus+ it is a significant source of income to the sector.
We are grateful for Ben Gittus for this excellent report and allowing us to share it with you.
- Erasmus+ funding programme and UK sport sector (PDF, 5.3 Mb)
#CSPFuture
Sports Think Tank Director Andy Reed OBE was asked by the Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP in the Summer of 2016 to carry out an appraisal of the CSPs as outlined in the #SportingFutures strategy.
The Report attached was delivered to the Minister at DCMS on 11th August 2016 and published here and on the Sport England website.
This Report highlights the need for greater consistency of service delivery, accountability and transparency for Sport England investment in the CSP network. It calls for a new 'Core Purpose and specification' for CSPs and for this to be made widely known and available. The CSPs will continue to play an important role alongside other partners in the delivery of the Sport England and DCMS strategies.
- 20160804 CSP APPRAISAL FINAL (PDF, 622 Kb)
New Players, New Tactics: Views on Sports Policy
The Sports Think Tank have launched New Players, New Tactics: Views on Sports Policy ahead of the launch of a new government strategy on sport - the first since 2002. This report collects views from senior representatives on the risks and challenges for current and future sports policy.
The Sports Think Tank conducted a survey of 100 senior sports industry figures to gauge their opinions on the state of UK sports policy in 2015.
There were three primary objectives of this research:
- Evaluate the successes and failures of sports policy in the last 10 years
- Explore the main challenges facing the sports sector in the next 10 years
- Assess how sports policy will need to adapt now to mitigate the risks and challenges, and embrace new opportunities.
This survey covers the following areas of sports policy: Government leadership; funding; innovation; professional and elite sport; major events; community sport and school sport.
The role of policy: interview with I Sport Connect
Sports Think Tank Director Mark Balcar speaks to iSportconnect with Badminton England Chief Executive Adrian Christie on the crucial impact policy making has on the sports sector, in particular highlighting of the areas where governments have had successes and failures over the past 10 years. Full interview here
Launch of headline statistics
Blog: Launch of the Headline Statistics
Media Release
Statistical Release
What next for British sports policy?
Kevin Jefferys
Keith Jefferys discusses what the future holds for policy makers in sport on the back of a successful London 2012 Olympic Games. In particular, he highlights the justifications for hosting major sporting events in Britain in the future with historical reference and the difficulties we are likely to face, should government funding remain tight for grassroots legacy.
- Keith Jefferys What next for British sports policy (MS Word, 74 Kb)
GIVE US OUR BALL BACK: RECLAIMING SPORT FOR THE COMMON GOOD
In this report, the Sports Think Tank, in partnership with Theos Think Tank, explore the role of sport in society. It suggests that sport is no longer just a matter of leisure, entertainment or of spectacular international tournaments. We have come to expect it to make us better people, to contribute to world peace, to develop our economies and make us healthy. Clearly, sport can do these things, but the report argues that firstly we need to be clear that sport has now often been reduced to being a tool rather than something with intrinsic worth; and secondly that in using the tool of sport, specific agendas are over-promised and under-delivered due to the very nature of sport itself.
Please also see attached results from a ComRes poll comissioned by Theos and the Sports Think Tank in June 2012 on how sport is currently perceived by the public.
Sports bodies should be better sports
In this short report, Sallie Pettipher, Senior Partner at Green and Gold and former architect of the RFU's All Schools Campaign, discusses the important role sporting charitable foundations should play in our society. She explores the role that sport can play in changing society for the better and the success of the Football Foundation and the Cricket Foundation's Chance to Shine initiative. She argues that the national governing bodies of sport should not fear creating independent foundations to deliver philanthropic sport provision that has a strong social impact. In doing so, sport will help make a significant difference in local communities and individual lives as well as supporting an NGBs main 'on field' sporting objectives.