Investment in sport's governance

Investment in Recognised Governing Bodies of Sport

The current funding process is through the three strands of the Investing in Sport programme:

• Employment – three-year funding programme 2003-2006;
• Skilling People – annual programme 03/04, 04/05 and 05/06;
• Competitive Opportunities – annual programme 03/04, 04/05 and 05/06.

The Sports Council now intends to focus the new bidding process directly on the governing body’s development plan and, is therefore inviting recognised governing bodies, who wish to apply for Sports Council investment over the 3 year period 1^st April 2006 - 31^st March 2009, to submit a 3 year sports development plan for their sport.

In focusing this new approach on a governing body’s development, the Council has taken cognisance of “Positive Steps” – the Government’s response to ‘Investing Together’, the report of the Taskforce on Resourcing the Voluntary Sector. ‘Positive Steps’ proposes:

• a longer term outcome-focused approach to investment;
• guidance and support for organisations seeking to modernise and plan for the longer term;
• support and encouragement for a quality approach to development;
• ensuring systems of governance and accountability are adequate for the disbursement of public money;
• ensuring accountability requirements are proportionate to the assessment of risk, size and turnover of the organisations supported;
• improved measurement and evidence of the contribution made by the voluntary sector.

Unfortunately, the Sports Council is not resourced to make the 7 – 10 year funding commitments as advocated in the document. The Sports Council intends to make three year commitments, moving to a four year commitment in the period April 2009 – March 2013. This will bring the Council in line with UK Sport and the Sports Councils in England, Scotland and Wales.

A guidance document on the Council’s proposed investment in governing body plans will be available on the Sports Council’s web-site by 31^st October 2005. If your organisation wishes to receive a printed copy of the guidance document or further clarification on the planning process, please contact Dorothy Spence at 028 90 383871.

4.00pm Friday 20^th January 2006 - Deadline for submission of plans to SCNI. (Plans can be submitted prior to the deadline).

www.sportni.net