What is an Active Partnership?

Active Partnerships (formerly County Sports Partnerships or CSP's) are networks of local agencies committed to working together to increase the number of people taking part in sport and physical activity. They are led by a central team of people whose job is to provide leadership and co-ordination of the network at a sub-regional level.

Established as a nationwide network nearly 20 years ago, the Partnerships have become a significant part of the sport and physical activity landscape across England.  They have successfully delivered a number of high impact programmes, built strong local networks and adopted the highest standards of governance. A unique feature of the Active Partnerships is their independence, working across all sports, activities, providers and audiences, focused on the needs of their local communities.

The Active Partnerships mission is to 'increase levels of engagement in sport and physical activity, reducing levels of inactivity, tackling stubborn inequalities and using the power of sport and physical activity to transform lives.'

Their underpinning values are:

  • Collaboration
  • Equality
  • Learning
  • Customer Focus
  • Enterprise

Across England, there are 43 Active Partnerships who are all committed to working together to provide a cohesive offer to regional and national agencies.

 

appraisal

In light of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) new government strategy Sporting Future and Sport England's strategy Towards an Active Nation, an appraisal into the work of County Sports Partnerships (Active Partnerships) took place, reaffirming their importance within England’s sporting landscape.

To read more about the appraisal of CSPs and their future role, please visit the Sports Think Tank.