The UK’s Olympic and Paralympic system is one of the best in the world and we are proud of our shared success, enabling extraordinary sporting moments that enrich lives.
But we know we need to keep an eye on what’s coming ahead and plan for the future. The complex operating environment, pressures on leadership, concerns over financial health and relevancy issues, particularly among young people, are some of the challenges are see facing British Olympic and Paralympic sport.
What is System Master Planning?
System Master Planning is a change programme, developed by the leaders of the Olympic and Paralympic sport, which seeks to address these issues and identify areas for reform.
By doing this we will be better positioned to safeguard our future - and continue to reach, inspire and unite the nation.
What are the key phases of System Master Planning work?
1. Case for change - defining the challenge and identifying recommendations for reform (November 2022 - June 2023)
2. Plan for change - scoping solutions, agreeing options and identifying resources (July 2023 - December 2024)
3. Implementing the change - implement an agreed “System Master Plan” (2025+)
What are the recommendations for change?
Facilitated by UK Sport, British Olympic and Paralympic sport leaders along with national agencies (Sport England, Sport Wales, sportScotland and Sport Northern Ireland) have identified the following themes and recommendations for change:
Engaging closely with all partners, the project will explore in greater level of detail each of these recommendations and map out options for the future by the end of 2024.
Operational efficacy
- System-wide safeguarding strategy for organised sport (grassroot to elite)
- Consolidated corporate services including digital and data – the transformation of service capabilities in our sporting system (HR, finance, legal, IT etc.), to become more effective and efficient
- Consolidated performance operations – for example: a specialist and focused organisation that offers performance benefits to certain World Class Sports programmes, such as shared expertise, increased stability and improved efficiency
- Specialist major events unit
- Understanding health organisations as part of a collective
Relevancy, engagement and revenue
- Central fanbase service to drive professional storytelling for Olympic and Paralympic sports in order to drive operations and engagement
- Consolidate fan data across all partners
- Build fan engagement in a unified way
- Review national and international events calendar and wider major events opportunities
Structural alignment and integration
- National agencies more aligned to reduce complexity across the sporting system
- Structures more streamlined within and between sports across the United Kingdom
A “people” system
- Single identity brand to attract and develop our people
- Dedicated people services
- Intentional network creation
One system, One team
- A vision, purpose and shared goals for a sustainable and thriving system, aligned across the Sports Councils and other national agencies
Would you like to understand more?
You can contact us via email at sportingsystem@uksport.gov.uk