Sport England’s system partner investment has committed over £500 million, since 2022, to more than 130 partners in support of the organisation's Uniting the Movement strategy.
This long-term funding provides up to five years of financial security and stability for organisations to focus on addressing the systemic changes needed to tackle the inequalities stopping individuals and communities from being physically active.
Moving forward together
The latest findings from the evaluation of the System Partner portfolio, based on insights gathered throughout 2025, matures the understanding of how partners’ collective efforts are creating change.
It also shines a light on four distinct, yet interconnected, roles that System Partners play to influence change.
It’s important to say that while many organisations naturally combine these roles, understanding them helps us to be more strategic and effective.
Whether you are funded through the System Partner investment or from elsewhere, we encourage you to reflect on the roles your organisation play.
We hope this insight can prompt you to consider how you can strengthen your collaborations and benefit from the expertise and reach of others as part of your work towards addressing inequalities and increasing physical activity.
The four roles identified are:
- The Improver. This role is the foundation of a safe and professional sector. Improvers focus on raising standards in governance, safeguarding, and equality, diversity and inclusion. They not only enhance their own practices but also support other organisations to do the same. An example is The Angling Trust, which – in response to a surge in demand for angling for wellbeing – introduced a 21-point checklist and new training to ensure its delivery partners met high standards for safety and quality.
- The Influencer. Influencers work to shape the conversations and conditions that make it easier for people to get active. They advocate for policy change and champion the needs of specific communities. The Richmond Group of Charities, a coalition of health charities, exemplifies this role. By acting as a collective, they have achieved greater reach and successfully embedded physical activity resources into the healthcare system.
- The Deliverer. This is where strategies are translated into opportunities for people to be more active. Deliverers create and adapt on-the-ground programmes for people to participate in sport and physical activity, with a focus on reaching under-represented communities. Chance to Shine’s ‘Street’ cricket programme illustrates this. By targeting deprived areas, recruiting local coaches and empowering young leaders, they have grown a programme that is youth-led and community-driven.
- The Connector. Connectors bring people and organisations together at a local level. They use their understanding of a place to guide funding and activities where they are most needed. Active Partnerships such as the Yorkshire Sport Foundation demonstrate this role. They bring people and policies together to link regional policy and community action, using formal agreements and data-driven insights to translate high-level strategy into targeted, grassroots support.
