Multi-Sport event provides opportunity to connect, learn, and network

Earlier this month, colleagues from across the sport and physical activity sector convened at the King Power Stadium in Leicester for the Multi-Sport Connect, Learn, and Network Event.

The day provided an important opportunity to hear from and network with Active Partnerships and national partners, to connect with multi-sport work leads, and to understand the future direction of multi-sport initiatives.

The event, hosted jointly by the Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO) and the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, brought together around 140 people, with the core objectives of learning, sharing, and networking.

The day started with keynote addresses, including a welcome from Andy Taylor, CEO of the Active Partnerships National Organisation, insights on multi-sport evaluation from Dr Kath Edgar, and an inspiring impact story from Adill Hadi BEM of Concord Youth Centre, Birmingham.

A significant focus for the event was collaborative working and knowledge exchange. Attendees took part in table discussions and had the opportunity to attend workshops covering critical themes such as community engagement, place working, transforming local communities through tennis, the Multi-Sport Fund, Opening School Facilities, and Active Design. These interactive sessions encouraged collaboration as attendees explored challenges, shared best practices, and planned the future of multi-sport work.

Dr Kath Edgar from Substance, the programme’s evaluation partner, explained her organisation’s role in capturing learning to inform ongoing programme reporting, emphasing commitment to collaboration and co-design in the evaluation process. Dr Edgar also highlighted that Substance is supporting partners in delivering their work and telling their story of change.

The agenda also featured impactful presentations, including an ‘Active Women’ impact story from Sarah Jones from Leicester City in the Community, and a post-lunch ‘shake up’ led by Cecily Carnival Dance.

The day culminated in a panel session and Q and A featuring Patrick Brosnan (Sport England), Sarah Jones (Leicester City in the Community), Andy Taylor (the Active Partnerships National Organisation), and Jack Matthews (the Football Foundation).

The event also showcased specific initiatives, including a workshop entitled Transforming Local Communities through Tennis which highlighted partnerships between the LTA and local authorities to refurbish park tennis courts and increase participation.

A ‘Community Engagement’ workshop also emphasised the importance of working in partnership with local people to co-design and deliver successful sports and physical activity spaces.

The session on Opening School Facilities also explored how collaboration between schools, Active Partnerships, and funding bodies can sustain and increase physical activity provision.

Shirley Hurst, Strategic Lead for Football and Multi-Sport for the APNO, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for the sector to come together, share insights, and strengthen collaborations.

“The energy in the room and the quality of discussions in the workshops highlighted the collective commitment to driving forward multi-sport opportunities to get people active within facilities across the country.

“It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals and organisations working together and having positive discussions on engagement with communities locally being at the heart of investments into facilities.”

Patrick Brosnan, Strategic Lead Football at Sport England, added: “It was hugely welcome to spend quality time with partners to discuss the football and multi-sport facilities work. Working as one is a pivotal part of Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy, and the event demonstrated the breadth of the work taking place, and the progress made over the last three years.

“Perhaps most importantly, it was inspiring to hear from projects about the impact of investments local to them. Collaboration between those in the room can and does make a huge impact when it comes to helping the people and places that need the most support, so it was powerful to hear how this work is making a positive difference”.

Kat Southwell, Community Engagement Lead at The Football Foundation, said: “The event was a great demonstration of how far the work in multi-sport has evolved. At the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation we’ve done a huge amount of work to engage with communities across the country to create outstanding sports and activity spaces. This includes our work on the Active Through Football and Football Foundation PlayZone programmes to help tackle inequalities in participation in activity.

“We know that a genuine partnership approach, that puts community needs first, will support more people to lead active lives more easily. This event provided a welcome chance to reflect alongside passionate and knowledgeable partners on the impact of working in this way and importantly to map out the ‘what next?!’. At the Foundation we’re really proud to be part of this work and excited to be a part of its future”

The multi-sport event was organised by key partners including the Active Partnerships National Organisation, Sport England, the Football Foundation, the LTA, England Netball and a regional lead from the Active Partnerships network.

More information about the multi-sport programme is available here.