Good practice in action: Supporting a focus on outcomes
‘Having someone listen to our ideas and know they understand us.’
‘Regional Sport Trusts are encouraged to work together with SPARC (and other community stakeholders) to tailor programmes and activities to meet local needs and priorities.’
- Comments from participants involved in negotiations
The third example is the Regional Sports Trust (RST) Consolidated Investment approach by Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).
SPARC funds 17 regional sports trusts to deliver sport and recreation services to their communities around New Zealand. In the past, SPARC has funded sports trusts to deliver programmes. The result was that RSTs primarily delivered programmes for SPARC and focused to a lesser extent on what their communities’ needs and requirements were.
In 2010, SPARC implemented a new funding approach that required regional sports trusts to deliver against broad outcomes. Under this approach, RSTs decide on how they use their funding and what programmes/activities they focus on – with the accountability of meeting the outcomes outlined in their investment schedules.
SPARC has also strengthened its capability to provide a consultancy role to provide advice to RSTs on developing innovative responses that meet their communities needs and monitor their progress towards delivering on outcomes.
In December 2010, this example of a funding relationship featured in a Good Practice in Action seminar organised by the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector. The presenter was Trafford Wilson, Senior Advisor, Regional Sport Development, SPARC.
Pictured: Presenter Trafford Wilson
