Minutes from the Games and Sports Division Meeting - 27 September 2016

Games and Sports Division Meeting

Date:   Tuesday 27 September 2016

Time:   11:30am -13:30pm

Venue: Gateley, 1 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7DX

PRESENT:

In the Chair: John Boyd (Baseball Softball UK)

Absent with apologies Deputy Chair: Janie Frampton (Sports Officials)                                                            

MEMBERS: Ron Balls (English Lacrosse), Sandra Beale-Ellis (National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools). Ian Braid (British Athletes Commission), Chris Cohen (English School Athletic Association), Sarah Finney (British Inline Puck Hockey Association), Richard Flint (England Golf), Vicki Harris (Commonwealth Games England), Keith Holland (British Aikido Board), Lucy Hall (Boccia England), James Hope-Gill (Skateboard England), Alison Howard (Rounders England), John I’Anson (Association for Physical Education), Mo Islam (UK Dodgeball Association), Peter Jaques (Mini Basketball England), Chris Jones (England Athletics), Marcus Kingwell (AoC Sport), Duncan Lewis (Lord’s Taverners), Jason Morley (Royal Air Force Sports Federation), Caitriona O’Shea (Royal Air Force Sports Federation), Mike Spinks (English Schools Football Association), Ray Sweeney (Disability Karate Federation), Ron Tulley (England Boxing), Jolyon Whaymand (WheelPower), Lynda Williams (Panathlon Challenge), Ian Wilson (England Hockey) Adrian Ruth (Sport and Recreation Alliance), Ray Carter (Sport and Recreation Alliance), Pat Smith (Sport and Recreation Alliance).

ABSENT WITH APOLOGIES: Adrian Christy (Badminton England), Christopher Corfield (sports coach UK), Nick Fellows (Clay Pigeon Shooting Association), Phil Ehr (English Chess Federation), Michelle Fulford (British Gymnastics), David Gent (British Weight Lifting), Bede Grossmith (Combined Services Sports Board), Janie Frampton (SOUK), Barry Horne (English Federation of Disability Sport), Richard Jackson (Tchoukball UK), Stewart Kellett (Basketball England), Kate Lawrenson (Sport and Recreation Alliance), Piers Martin (UK Deaf Sport), Tracey McCillen (UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability), Ashley Metcalfe (British Weightlifting), Mike Power (Sport and Recreation Alliance), Jean Stone (WheelPower), David Teasdale (British Fencing), Karen Tonge (British Para Table Tennis), Karen Wallin (Special Olympics Great Britain), Rohan West (Volleyball England), Peter Whitlam (Association of Physical Education), Ann Thomson (Halliwick Association of Swimming Therapy).                     

IN ATTENDANCE:             

Emma Boggis (Chief Executive), Andrew Moss (Chair of Sport and Recreation Alliance), James Allen (Director of Policy, Governance and External Affairs), Chantel Scherer (Director of Marketing, Communications and Member Engagement), Rob Tate (Governance Officer), Aquila Burgess (Projects Support Officer).

1. OPENING REMARKS

The Chair (John Boyd - JB) welcomed everyone to the meeting, and noted that 2016 was an excellent summer for sport following the successes of Rio 2016. GB secured 67 medals with 27 golds, 23 silvers and 17 bronze medals, whilst the GB Paralympics squad secured their second greatest medal haul after 1988 by winning 147 medals with 64 gold medals, 39 silvers and 44 bronze medals. JB went on to state that Sport England (SE) had recently announced that funding had been made available in the sport sector, which suggested that the Government recognised that sport offered many benefits to society. The Alliance is keen to support other sports and not just the 46 funded sports from SE.

JB announced that following the last meeting, the Alliance had gained some new members, however a few members had decided to leave.

New Members who have joined since the last meeting:

· Karate Union of GB

· English Karate Council

· Youth Sport Trust

Members who have left since the last meeting:

· National Golf Club Advisory Association

· Tennis and Rackets Association

· British Ski and Snowboard Association

· Boys’ Brigade

· UK Minifootball Association

· English Bowling Federation

· Pole Sports UK

AGM 14^th July, the Keeping Fit for Future report was published and the Community Sports and Recreation Awards (CSRA) 2017 nominations would be scheduled to open in the New Year.

2. UK GOVERNANCE CODE

Rob Tate (RT) provided an update on the Government’s new code of governance. RT announced that within the Government’s Sport Strategy, Sporting Future, UK Sport and Sport England were tasked with creating a combined code of governance, which will become mandatory for any organisation in receipt of public funding. UK Sport and Sport England have been working together on this process since early 2016, and are now close to releasing the Code.

During the development of the code, the Alliance has been taking every available opportunity to make sure the interests of our members are taken into account during the drafting process. In addition to meeting regularly with those responsible for the new code, we responded to the online consultation on behalf of the membership as well as ensuring this was distributed to all members for the opportunity to complete an individual response. The Alliance’s Governance Manager, Vijaya Panangipalli, was recently seconded to Sport England to assist in the drafting process. This has helped us assist the Sports Councils with their programme of focus groups. The main goal is to achieve a new code, which is aspirational but achievable for our members, by setting a gold standard of governance without being a burden and instead contributing to the development of high performing organisations. Most importantly we’re seeking a code which provides equal coverage of all potential recipients of public funding but which can be applied proportionately, taking account of the broad variety of size and workforce capacity present in our sector.

In May 2016, UK Sport and Sport England released “A Charter for Sports Governance”, which revealed the 9 principles around which the new code would be formulated. As expected, these could be mapped closely to existing standards of good governance, including our own Voluntary Code of Good Governance and similar codes in the charity sector. Whilst we expect that the content and overall principles of the new code will be similar to existing standards, we are expecting that the new code will be more prescriptive in its requirements. Moving forward, we will assess the position of the Voluntary Code of Good Governance against the new UK Sports Governance Code to identify where the main differences lie. We expect to maintain the Voluntary Code in a similar format, as an introduction into good governance and a stepping-stone for those seeking progression to compliance with the UK Sports Governance Code. We will provide guidance on the differences between the two codes, and the actions, which would be required to progress to full compliance with the new code.

When asked about timescales, RT informed members there was no definite release date for the new code, but we are expecting this to be during the next few weeks. Although RT did expect to see that the code would be implemented from March 2017, but expects that there will a phased transition after this point, therefore giving organisations the time necessary to become compliant.

Responding to specific questions about targets for board diversity in the new code, RT expected that the target for female representation will rise to 30%, and that the code will include statements about the promotion of all forms of diversity without including other specific targets. The end goal in promoting board diversity is to encourage diversity of thought and experience. To this end, we want to discourage tokenism and facilitate the appointment of competent and skilled board members in all positions, whilst also promoting diversity. We’ve been talking with EFDS, Women in Sport and Sporting Equals about how we can work with them to help NGBs identify and recruit these people. The Alliance has recently been working with Women in Sport and British Wrestling to promote the amount of women elected onto boards. British Wrestling has now seen three women recently elected onto their board

Questions were then opened to the floor and members from AOC, Rounders and England Boxing announced that the code had helped establish boards with ground rules, through supporting the code’s processes during board inductions, which was then helpful for offering training to staff. The code’s accessibility has helped to increase the equality in women being elected on boards.

3. VOLUNTEERING

James Allen (JA) spoke about volunteering and how the Alliance had recently secured the Join In assets. Join In was created after London 2012 to put more volunteers into community sport to enable people to live healthier and happier lives. The Alliance led partnership will continue building on the sport volunteering legacy Join In has created in this next chapter after Rio 2016 and work to create even more opportunities for sports volunteers across the UK. Through securing the assets, the Alliance will gain access to the data from all the clubs and volunteers that were apart of Join In, access to their website and their branding.

£30 million funding over the next four years will be available from SE to help increase the number of volunteers. The money is a bespoke fund aimed at increasing the number of volunteers, by helping reduce the volunteering age, and help increase the skill base of the people volunteering. The Sport England volunteering strategy is scheduled to be released in November, and will focus on 7 sub priorities; increasing diversity, improving digital information, matching service to club, prioritise motivation and needs of volunteers- an intrinsic value, pilot new approach to become innovate, increase resources available into Club Matters, and committing a dedicated budget.

JA then talked about the announcement that was made on Thursday, 22 September about the Sport and Recreation Alliance and a consortium of partners being selected by the Join In Trust as to grow the Join In brand. The Alliance led partnership will continue building on the sport volunteering legacy Join In has created in the is next chapter after Rio 2016,

The consortium partners are: Do-it.org, GLL, Jump, VolunteerKinetic and Volunteering Matters. The bid was also supported by Alliance members Women in Sport, English Federation of Disability Sport, Sporting Equals, Welsh Sports Association, Northern Ireland Sport Forum, England Athletics, Amateur Swimming Association, British Triathlon, London Sport and Greater Sport.

JA explained how we all share the vision that volunteering is integral to sport and recreation at every level and how moving forward we will work together to make sure the future of sport volunteering is growing and that the mission of Join In continues to be visible up and down the country.

The Join In brand and how it moves forward is still to be worked out in greater detail, but it is very clear that building on some of the research already done by Join In, particularly around a key insight from the Making Time research is the GIVERS Framework (growth, impact, voice, experience, recognition, and social), will help the sector how best to address the challenges and opportunities sport volunteering faces.

Before the meeting broke into discussion on these challenges and the available solutions, the question was asked ‘what constitutes a volunteer’. JA said that would need some more thought and perhaps one the sector should work towards agreeing on, but in his opinion it was someone who wasn’t paid for their contribution – apart from basic travel expenses etc.

The groups then divided into sub groups to discuss some of challenges to volunteering and whether the Alliance could provide any support to help increase the numbers. Ideas which were proposed by members are included here as a snapshot (this is not all inclusive of all the ideas discussed):

Challenges

· Mismatch of supply and demand.

· As people's lives get busier, demographic of volunteers creeping up (older people more free time).  Increasing diversity (age, BAME, gender) is a challenge.

· Corporates - will often offer a day or two but with quite specific requirements (e.g. team building) - challenges in dealing with large irregular influxes of relatively inflexible volunteers.

· Lack of regular volunteers causing capacity issues - waiting lists for participation. 

· Coaching has become more of a profession - more expect payment. 

· Sports Leaders UK - young people trained to volunteer/lead, and then there is nowhere for them to go- need a grassroots volunteer development programme.

How the Alliance Could Support

· Good governance attracts better volunteers (board positions, committees etc). 

· Minimise bureaucracy and impact. Don't want to put people off. 

· Development of GIVERS framework.

· Creation of a volunteer pathway.  

· Matching service – bring all sport volunteering organisations together to offer solutions/opportunities.

· Help create different volunteering offers to meet volunteers needs – not the organisations.

4. ALLIANCE’S NEW STRATEGY 2017- 2021

Emma Boggis (EB) gave an update on the Alliance’s new strategy for 2017 – 2021. 

Current Alliance strategy covers 2014 to 2018.

But recognise a lot has happened since the previous strategy was planned.

Externally:

· A new Government, the 2015 Spending Review and a new cross Government strategy.

· A review by UK Sport of their approach and a new strategy from Sport England.

· A new Sport Governance Charter published with a new code to come.

Internally

The Alliance has had a new CEO in September 2014, a new independently appointed Chair in January 2016, a new senior management structure that was established earlier this year. Three new Board members joined formally in July including two new independent members. So the Board has decided that rather than let the current strategy run for its final year it would be better to start with a new plan from 2017. 

EB reviewed what the Alliance was good at and also what it is not so good at and suggested the following;

What are we good at?

· The Alliance is currently a leader in promoting leadership in the sector through the publication of the Fit for Future report.

· Policy and research.

· Campaign work – for example Mental Health Charter/Get Your Kit On/Try Your Kit On

· Regular source of comment or views from media.

· Carried out a number of specific projects this year not included in the Alliance plan.

· Sports Summit and Leadership Convention get great feedback from attendees.

Not so good at?

· Trying to please too many people all of the time especially members – do we need to be a bit more strategic about the things we do?

· Because we take on new work, that was not scheduled, has had an impact on resources and staff capacity.

· Need to be able to tell a clearer story about the impact of the work we do for you and for wider stakeholders.

The new strategy will aim to continue the things we do well – and seek to do them better. EB then encouraged members to break off into sub groups to discuss the following three questions; 

1.    What does the Alliance do well?

2.    What ideas should the Alliance start to do?

3.    What should the Alliance stop doing?

Some of the proposed feedback included;

Areas to develop and consolidate

· Continuing the focus on good governance.

· Helping the sector become ‘Fit for the Future’.

· Acting as a pressure group to the government.

New areas

· Become the recognised home of sport volunteering.

· Building research links with educational establishments by offering internship/apprenticeships.

· Deliver services of benefit to members’ members.

· Provide more tailored parliamentary services to members at a more competitive rate than other suppliers.

· Identifying a specific role for us to play in relation to improving school sport.

· Support members in bid writing to access new sources of income.

· Reducing the cost of certain events i.e. the Leadership Convention so more members are able to attain, a possible bursary scheme was proposed.

Things we might stop

· Training in areas we don’t have specific expertise – we will instead signpost good opportunities that are out there.

· Reviewing the divisions in the Alliance- are they now spread too thin? 

EB proposed a road map today to publication

· Consultation with members at autumn round of divisional meetings.

· October 2016 – Board consideration of draft strategic plan.

· Mid November 2016 – Final Draft of plan agreed.

· Late November/Early Dec 2016 – publication of Strategic Plan 2017.

If members had any further thoughts or views they were encouraged to contact EB, eboggis@sportandrecreation.org.uk or Andrew Moss chair@sportandrecreation.org.uk.

5. SPORT AND RECREATION ALLIANCE BRIEFING

A short update was provided on the following, but due to timings, these items would be addressed at the next meeting.

• Childhood Obesity Plan: Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action outlines the Government’s goals and actions to cut childhood obesity within the next ten years, a figure that currently stands at a third of children between the ages of 2 and 15.
• CSP Review - #cspfuture: The appraisal follows the publication of the Government’s Sporting Future strategy and Sport England’s Towards an Active Nation strategy and was designed to assess the how best CSPs could deliver on the key outcomes established in both strategies.
• School Games Review: Sport England has announced the findings and recommendations of its review of the School Games, which was completed with support from the Youth Sport Trust and other partners. 

6.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

JB updated members that divisional elections for a new Chair and Deputy Chair would be opening soon. Janie Frampton the Deputy Chair has declared her interest in becoming the new chair, but suggested all members were encouraged to apply. JB updated members that his last meeting as Chair will commence on Tuesday 24 January 2017.  It should be noted that the terms of office for the new Chair and Deputy Chair would commence from the start of the 2017 AGM.

7. MEETING DATES FOR 2017

The next two scheduled Games and Sports Division meetings are Tuesday 24 January and Friday 29 September 2017. Start time TBC.

8. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Leadership Convention 2-3 November, Manchester. Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel

2017 Sport Summit 24 May, Kia Oval

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting for the Games and Sports Division, to be held at Farrer & Co, was confirmed as Tuesday 24 January 2017.

Minutes from the Games and Sports Division Meeting 27 September 2016

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