Key information
Publication type: General
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Contents
Recommendations for funders and commissioners
- investment in sport activities for youth needs to be part of a larger programme of work driven by long term strategic priorities and objectives
- investment in specific projects needs to focus on evidence and outcomes driven programmes linked to long term strategic priorities. Where possible investment through shared long term strategic partnerships is is encouraged
- it is desired that funding provides opportunity for young people to access sports and related opportunities seamlessly. Shared delivery models that include a range of sports and non-sports partners rather than single sports organisations, or strong systems of referral are particularly impactful
- place based commissioning and funding which requires projects to build networks of complimentary services and work together across a geographical area is a good model
- funders should provide funding to develop and grow leadership of young people in sport organisations which is supported and properly rewarded
- developmental opportunities for young people to progress/secure sports and related employment, careers, and entrepreneurial opportunities are very welcome
- co-production is key
- funders should support training and capacity building for staff to support young people further, particularly around mental health, mental wellbeing, trauma, and physical health.
Recommendations for sports governing bodies
- to agree, support, and develop routes into employment in the wider ‘sport related’ economy
- to offer capacity building for sport related businesses and employers
- to offer development programmes within the wider sports industry for young people
- to support the role of selective youth sports programmes in developing routes into other sports, education, employment, careers, and training opportunities.
Recommendations for community sport organisations
- develop partnerships and joint delivery for young people to travel seamlessly across sports and nonsport services with a range of partners
- include capacity building in all delivery to encourage involvement of young people into paid work
- embed a developmental element into programmes for young people
- develop capacity for all staff to support young people appropriately.
Recommendations for policy leads
- to see sport as an intervention tool for the implementation of policy. Policy delivered through sport should adopt long term strategic approach
- to highlight place based policy which influences and requires work across agencies and services in a geographical area
- to focus on policy development which encourages capacity building and a developmental element for young people
- to focus on co-production and co-delivery with young people
- to identify and develop the roles of professional sports athletes as role models.
Policy and project recommendations for the Mayor of London
- young people should be presented with choices and flexibility
- o production and co delivery with young people is crucial
- projects should improve aspirations through providing experiences young people would not normally get, show young people a different side to life and ensure young people enjoy participating in and delivering the project
- to widen young people’s access to sport and development by working with young people engaged in sport and offering them a variety of opportunities across different organisations
- to develop new employment, enterprise and career opportunities for young people by developing an enterprise & entrepreneur programme for young people with a sport focus
- to develop programmes of work with key strategic partners, including sports governing bodies, strategic organisations, and sporting brands
- to support the development of the community sport workforce by providing capacity building support for small and medium-sized community sport organisations to engage and employ young people
- to develop a Leadership Academy for young people involved in sport to volunteer, be trained as youth leaders, peer advisers, mentors, and potentially as personal development and life coaches
- to provide good quality affordable and accessible spaces by researching into the range of spaces, both traditional and non-traditional, in London. The aim should be to facilitate permanent and consistent provision for community sports to young people and the wider community
- to investigate the role and impact of the ‘youth centre’ or ‘community sports venue’ as a place where young people can get guidance, support with goals and one-to-one advice. To support young people to create safe and stable connections in their lives and their communities.
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