Strengthening Hertfordshire’s Sport and Physical Activity Community

Over the past 12 months, Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) have collaborated with Sported; the leading sport development charity in the UK, to support clubs and grassroots organisations using the power of sport and activity to transform lives. Originally launched at HSP’s 2023 Clubs Conference, the programme was designed to work in 2 batches of 10 organisations, each receiving six months of intensive support from a Sported volunteer. Together, we have supported 20 Hertfordshire based community organisations, providing tailored mentorship to strengthen their sustainability and long-term impact. 

Sported have a large pool of experienced volunteers across the country whose expertise include: marketing, business planning, report writing and demonstrating impact to name just a few. It is via this excellent network of volunteers that the project has been successful, with organisations receiving advice, guidance and support on issues and areas of concern. 

The project was funded by HSP which included a £500 payment for all organisations who completed the programme to support their ongoing development. 

Real Impact, Real Stories 

The impact across the programme has been significant with all 20 organisations highlighting the quality of the support they received. For several, this support was transformational with new sessions created, additional members sourced and diverse income streams identified. 

 A representative from Stevenage Starlets FC quoted: 

"It helped us step back and look objectively at the club—thinking beyond daily operations to our long-term vision and strategy. This was a fantastic prompt to set clear goals." 

Others found practical ways to improve operations. Ngorli CIC explained: 

"We’ve learned how to put systems in place to make us more appealing to funders. Before, we had vital information everywhere, but now it’s all in one place." 

Celebrating Success 

On Thursday 13th March, a Celebration Event was hosted at the University of Hertfordshire alongside Sported. The evening provided an opportunity to highlight the collective power of the project, as well as a platform to network, share experiences and discuss key challenges such as funding and impact measurement.  

Reflecting on the project’s success, Rob Danson, East of England Regional Manager at Sported, said: 

“It has given us the opportunity to work closely with 20 community groups across Hertfordshire and provide support and advice to these amazing organisations, empowering them to continue supporting young people in their local community. Whilst the project is coming to an end, we will continue to support and guide the 20 groups in the future, working with HSP to ensure they all continue to use sport and physical activity to deliver vital work in their community." 

Charlie Mann, HSP’s Clubs and Workforce Lead, added: 

"By providing tailored support, we’ve helped these organisations build a stronger foundation. It’s inspiring to see them collaborate and develop the role of sport in Hertfordshire." 

Key Outcomes 

• 20 organisations received expert guidance to boost sustainability. 

• 100% expressed interest in ongoing support. 

• 5 groups built new sector relationships. 

• 4 organisations secured additional funding, with others confident they will. 

As part of the programme, Inclusive United CIC produced a video to highlight the impact the project has had, both on them as on organisation and their participants. To view the full video, please click here.

If you want to find out more about our Club Development work, please view our page here or contact Charlie Mann at c.mann3@herts.ac.uk.