CONFERENCE REPORT
Chris Cutforth (left) with some of the conference speakers at this year’s ESDN event at Sheffield Hallam
He identified a number of significant challenges currently facing the sport and physical activity sector including: • How do we attract and retain the best talent? • How do we reconcile the number of graduates to the current and future jobs market? • How do we ensure that universities produce graduates with the right mix of knowledge, skills and personal attri- butes needed by employers? Holt called for greater flexibility in uni-
versity provision; including a better mix of academic and vocational courses and qualifications, more opportunities for part-time study and distance learning, the introduction of work-based degree courses and greater exploitation of digital technology to enhance learning and development.
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT POST-2012 Steve Nelson, representing the County Sports Partnership Network, discussed the challenges of delivering a meaningful London 2012 sports development legacy – calling for three key things to happen: • Better joined up marketing, communi- cations and data sources for sport • Greater clarity and simplicity in the sport system with clearer roles and responsibilities for key sports organisa- tions; including NGBs, Sport England, county sports partnerships and their local delivery partners • For the consumer: a more integrated and seamless system between school, community and elite sport which cre- ates opportunities for people from more diverse backgrounds to par- ticipate, progress and fulfill their potential in sport
Key demographic changes in the UK include the expanding ageing population
Young people, including HE and FE students, should be encouraged to volunteer in sport
WORKSHOP MESSAGES Delegates were able to attend four out of 24 workshops covering a wide vari- ety of sport and physical activity topics. These were delivered by a range of aca- demics and sport and physical activity practitioners. Key messages to emerge from the workshops included: • Turn the Olympic legacy dream into reality by addressing the perceived im- balance in favour of elite rather than community sport, thinking beyond NGBs and focus on engagement – not just competition • Increase dialogue between sports and health professionals for mutual benefit • Use an evidence-based approach to commissioning at the local level • Exploit the enormous potential which exists for young people to volunteer in local sports programmes • Training and CPD is required for cur- rent and future senior leaders to address the leadership deficit which currently exists in the sector • Replace anecdotal evidence with robust measurement frameworks
MOVING FORWARD In conclusion, the 2012 ESDN Sympo- sium provided an important forum to highlight the key opportunities and chal- lenges currently facing the sector. The important thing now is that appropriate actions are taken by key agencies and individuals; also that academics and prac- titioners continue to work together, and in so doing, make a substantial contribu- tion to the London 2012 legacy. ●
Chris Cutforth, senior lecturer , Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam 60 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 4 2012 © cybertrek 2012
PIC:
SPORTENGLAND.ORG
PIC: ©
WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84