Partnership development

What were our objectives?
The Greater Warwickshire Sports network (GWS) has played a fundamental role in the development of community sport in the county since 2000. Building on the relationships and achievements of the past five years the network is focused on transforming into an active and successful County Sports Partnership.

What did we do?
GWS recognised the importance of strategic management to the success of the county sports partnership and appointed a partnership director, Rob Wallis, in November 2004. Since his appointment, Rob has focused on partnership buy-in, building dialogue and creating an environment in which partners feel secure to invest. One of the keys to fostering trust has been the development of a value for money report mapping return on investment experienced by GWS partners over the past five years— on average a direct financial return of 163 per cent.

What were the results?
With proof of a successful track record and a 12–month project timeline in place to encourage up-front commitment, GWS has already:

• Built strong partner relationships with Sport England, local authorities, local education authorities, NGBs, colleges, universities and the charity sector
  
• Developed a proposal for an operating framework
  
• Appointed a streamlined management team to drive the framework forward with wide representation flowing from an interim leadership group.

“By breaking down the various elements of our delivery we can clearly show the financial return that our partners receive on their investment, " says Greg Wade, club development officer for Greater Warwickshire Sports. "Through this process we are able to demonstrate to current and potential investors how we offer value for money.”