Frequently asked questions
What criteria are used for identifying SASPs?
To be recognised as a SASP, sites must be nationally or regionally important to the sport in terms of a venue for major events, elite training, heritage, scarcity, uniqueness, importance for mass participation or non-competitive use.
Sites do not need to meet all criteria, but need to be nationally, or regionally important for the sport for one or more of the criteria.
The criteria should be adjusted to reflect the nature of the sport. For instance, the heritage value will differ between sports which are relatively 'young', to those sports which have been around for a long time.
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National sites
For sites to be designated a national SASP, they must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Read moreRead lessCompetitions/events
The site has held international/national competitions or events and is sustainable in that it’s in a location which provides the support facilities/services necessary for that level of competition.
Training
The site has held national team or individual/group elite training for the sport or any of its disciplines. It's also sustainable in that it’s in a location that provides the support facilities/services necessary for that level of training.
Scarcity
The site is important because of its scarcity or rarity/uniqueness value and because it cannot be recreated at a different location.
Heritage
The site is important in heritage terms due to the longevity and continuity of use in that location by the sport and because it cannot be recreated at a different location.
Non-competitive users
The site is important to the non-competitive parts of the sport.
Number of users
The site is important because of the numbers of participants from any level of the sport using it.
Facilities strategy
The site has been identified as of international/national importance in the sport’s strategic planning documents.
Physical characteristics
Identification of those characteristics, which if lost, would jeopardise the quality of the site.
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Regional sites
For sites to be designated a regional SASP, they must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Read moreRead lessCompetitions/events
The site has held regional championships or events and an inter-regional standard of competition or event. Additionally, it’s sustainable in that it’s in a location that provides the support facilities/services necessary for that level of competition or event.
Training
The site has held regional team training or events, or individual elite training or participation for the sport or any of its disciplines. It’s also sustainable in that it’s in a location that provides the support facilities/services necessary for that level of training or event.
Scarcity
The site is the only facility or resource for participation in the sport or any of its disciplines, or one of a limited number of facilities, in the region.
Heritage
The site is important due to the longevity and continuity of use in that location by the sport and because it cannot be recreated at a different location.
Non-competitive users
The site is important to the non-competitive parts of the sport.
Facilities strategy
The site has been identified as being regionally important in the sport’s strategic development plan documents.
Physical characteristics
Identification of those characteristics, which if lost, would jeopardise the quality of the site.
Number of users
The site is important because of the numbers of people using it from any level of the sport.
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How will SASPs be used?
Listing our most important sporting sites and detailing why they're important, ensures that discussions that could affect these sites are not taken without the knowledge and understanding of their importance and significance to sport.
Read moreRead lessWhile SASP is not an ‘at risk’ register of sites, SASP recognition will give additional weight to the site's protection if it becomes under threat.
We’ll promote the awareness of SASPs among partners and agencies that are producing strategic plans. These will include spatial development strategies, local plans, management plans and sports development plans.
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What is SASPs status?
SASPs do not carry a statutory status. However, they do carry the weight of being identified by the national governing bodies of sport as the most important sites for their sports, while also being acknowledged and supported by us.
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What sports are covered?
The designation of SASPs can be applied to all sports. However, it’s recognised as being more appropriate for sports that rely on natural environment locations due to their uniqueness and scarcity. Currently, SASPs have been identified for canoeing, gliding, water-skiing and parachuting.
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Who decides if a site is a SASP?
The sport's national governing body (NGB) identifies sites that meet the designation criteria for nationally and regionally important SASPs. We, in partnership with the NGB, verify that the sites meet the criteria. Once agreed, the site is then added to SASP register – this can be downloaded below.