NBA Miami Heat pro basketball player LeBron James leads a training session for London School of Basketball, an intiative developed by Sport for Social Change Network
As a trustee of Community Action Zone (CAZ), formerly known as Sport Action Zone, I've recently been involved in an exciting social enterprise initiative in South London. Community Action Zone, originally set up by Sport England in the early 2000s to develop sport in deprived inner city areas, is now established as a social enterprise with a 125 year lease on an old school site in Lambeth - Lilian Baylis.
It has secured £2m of funding to develop part of the site as a multi sports hub. Facilities will include a 100m training track and jumps, outdoor pitches a 60 station gym and a new community building, which will be used as a base for community organisations.
Part of a network
Community Action Zone is one of the founding partners of the emerging Sport for Social Change Network in London alongside Nike, the London Mayor, Active Communities Network and Sport England. CAZ seeks to replicate the work and structure of Sport Action Zones and introduce the same operation in other parts of London (I'm currently working in Croydon, Sutton, Southwark and Lambeth).
Localism and sport
One of the main areas of activity for Community Action Zone is supporting clubs in progressing development opportunities, including asset transfer. This approach fits with the government's agenda of Localism. It also chimes with its aim to encourage communities to become involved in operation management and delivery of facilities and services at a local level.
Across London and beyond, the Sport for Social Change Network is about building on existing partnerships and networks including county sports partnerships (such as Active Sussex), and national governing bodies of sport. I think there's considerable scope for multi-agency working in a social enterprise environment, together with input from commercial partners.
Commercial support
In the case of Sport for Social Change Network, the commercial link is sportswear giant Nike, which provided the very tangible local benefit of a sporting champion in the shape of NBA basketball star LeBron James on launch in London, as well as support for a global network. There are many more commercial companies with an interest in sport who would be excited by the prospect of becoming involved in a similar social enterprise.
After the Olympics
The next year will be interesting both in terms of what happens to the sporting landscape after London 2012 and what new pathways could open up in the sector, including further growth of commissioning and funding opportunities. Undoubtedly we will all be working in a more collaborative way, and some of our partners will be new – drawn from a wider pool of stakeholders. What is important is to think broadly, and remember that working together will be the key to success in the year ahead.
Sport for Social Change Network
Download Rob Hardy's presentation to the Active Sussex Network
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