Community Sports Networks

Community Sports Networks are also known as CSNs.These Networks are an integral part of the new Delivery System For Sport In England launched in January 2007.  

CSNs have a  broad remit within sport and active recreation. Their role is vital to ensuring the success of this delivery system for sport at a local level.

These pages will provide an overview of their core outcomes, composition, working practices and expected resourcing within the Delivery System.

Key Supporting Document From Sport England 

• The Delivery System For Sport In England

• Community Sports Networks Implementation and Investment Guidance

Community Sports Networks In Staffordshire and Stoke On Trent

Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is currently working to establish and support nine Community Sports Networks within Staffordshire and Stoke On Trent. These are based around the following Local Authority areas: -

• Cannock Chase District
  
• East Staffordshire Borough
  
• Lichfield District
  
• Newcastle Under Lyme Borough
  
• South Staffordshire District
  
• Stafford Borough
  
• Staffordshire Moorlands
  
• Stoke On Trent
  
• Tamworth Borough  

Click on the above links to find out how they were formed, who is on them and the progress they have made.

Core Outcomes For All Community Sports Networks

• Increase numbers of people taking part in sport and active recreation by 1% year on year.

• Widen access to opportunities in sport and active recreation.

• Bring together and align partners' existing priorities and targets that can be achieved through sport and active recreation into one local delivery plan. This delivery plan must be based on the needs of the local community and provide clarification of the roles and responsibilities of partners.

Composition

The core membership of a Community Sports Network should focus around local 'delivery agents' from a range of relevant organisations and sectors. Where possible this membership will build upon exiting local groups and networks.

The diagram below provides examples of this membership. This is not exclusive and will vary between networks to reflect the local area they represent.

 Working Practices

• Successfully coordinate opportunities for sport and active recreation in the local area by providing effective leadership.
  
  
• Identify local needs, priorities and potential interventions. Develop a locally shared vision with buy in from key partners including the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), (this may be the sport sub group of the LSP), to create economies of scale.
  
  
• Coordinate the engagement and integration of sport to support the achievement of outcomes identified within the Local Area Agreements (LAAs).

To view the LAA for Staffordshire and Stoke On Trent click on the link below:

• A Local Area Agreement Staffordshire, 2007
  
• Transforming Stoke On Trent Local Area Agreement, 2006

• Build links with other CSNs to gain greater economies of scale as appropriate.
  
  
• Support the achievement of Performance Indicators (PIs) as part of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Process (CPA), where appropriate.
  
  
• Support and assist in the creation and development of sporting pathways.
  
  
• Focus upon building capacity to increase participation and widen opportunities in sport and active recreation.

• Facilitate the provision of opportunities and the management of volunteers in sport.
  
  
• Have formal links with the CSP core team to ensure an effective sub-regional Delivery System. 

Resourcing

It is intended that each CSN delivery plan will be funded from the broad range of partners within the core membership.  

Additional funding will also be sourced from other interested public and private sector organisations who will draw some benefit from the interventions and programmes delivered.

Sport England has ringfenced Community Investment Fund (CIF) funding for CSN delivery plans.  This will provide 'top up' funding for projects and programmes in their delivery plans that will contribute to the outcomes identified within the National Framework For Sport (2004), Sign Up For Sport (2004) and Investing In 'Sign Up For Sport' In the West Midlands (2005-2009). To view these documents please click on the links below: -

• The National Framework For Sport, 2004
  
• Sign Up For Sport, 2004
  
• Investing In 'Sign Up For Sport' In The West Midlands - An Investment Strategy 2005-2009 

There are also many other sources of funding for sport and active recreation, which can be accessed to fund the CSN Delivery Plans. Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is committed to ensuring these plans deliver and will provide support on all aspects of funding them.

To view other potential funding sources click on the Link below: -

Funding