25 Apr 2017

From Good to Great

From Good to Great news article image

We have worked with organisations who have been using sport and physical activity to deliver social change for over a decade.

When we set up the organisation back in 2005, we became the evaluation partner for Positive Futures. Commissioned by the Home Office, this programme was designed to increase participation in sport, reduce youth crime, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse. Its objective was to engage marginalised young people, help build mutually trusting and respectful relationships and provide gateways to alternative lifestyles.

Each of the organisations delivering the programme were ‘good’ at what they did when they started delivering the programme and quickly became skilled at operating across the sport, criminal justice, community and youth work sectors. They quickly learned that their front-line staff required the right kind of life skills and competencies to engage the ‘right’ young people and that the facilities, the timings and structure of sport and non-sport sessions were critical to delivering good outcomes.  

Although central government funding for the programme ended in 2010 we continued to work with and support many of these organisations, such as North Liverpool Positive FuturesTrelyaYouth Moves and the Positive Youth Foundation. We are well placed to comment on why we think they are now ‘great’ and have become a critical component of the prevention and early intervention system locally. And what key characteristics do these organisations have in common?

  • A clear understanding of purpose;
  • A clear understanding of their market and their needs;
  • Strong leadership;
  • A skilled, committed, qualified and engaged workforce;
  • Effective cross-sector partnerships;
  • Embedded evaluation strategies, good insight and measurement tools which improve practice.

We’re delighted to sponsor the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Added Social Value Award to celebrate other great clubs, organisations or groups that work to improve lives and make their communities safer and stronger. 

There are still a few days left to apply for the award. Find out more by clicking here! 

Latest News

14 Nov 2025

Nine young leaders recognised at St James’s Palace for Community Sport and Recreation Awards: Youth Edition 2025

As part of the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s 90th anniversary celebrations, nine young people have been recognised as future sector leaders in a special Youth Edition of the organisation’s annual Community Sport and Recreation Awards.

Read more Arrow Right
13 Nov 2025

Alliance celebrates 90th anniversary at St James’s Palace as two new Board members confirmed at Annual General Meeting

The Sport and Recreation Alliance celebrated its 90th anniversary at St James’s Palace, where members also gathered for the organisation’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), chaired by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Read more Arrow Right
5 Nov 2025

Alliance responds to publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review

Today’s publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report sets out a series of wide ranging recommendations for reform of the national curriculum and in particular to the teaching of physical education (PE) and dance in schools.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoGateley Legal logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo