Our definition of Community Sport is any sport as recognised by Sport England which is organised. This can be formal or informal and is provided for local community consumption, as opposed to anything that is aimed at regional or national participants.
At London Sport, we have four key aims within the Community Sport space:
- To become the primary authority on Community Sport in London
- To be an integral component in a sustainable Community Sport ecosystem
- To become an effective champion for Community Sport in London
- For more Londoners to be regularly involved in Community Sport from a diverse range of communities.
In order to achieve these aims, we see our role as:
- Acting as an advocate for Community Sport in London and promoting the benefits it can offer the population
- Supporting Community Sport providers
- Facilitating dialogue on issues around Community Sport
- Highlighting data and news that is relevant to Community Sport
- Providing a platform for the Community Sport sector to connect with each other
- Forming meaningful relationships with coordinators, managers and leaders of Community Sport in London
- Acting as a ‘sounding board’ on Community Sport in London.
Key Partners
National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
We work with NGBs to share and listening to their plans to ensure that we can work together effectively to help break down barriers to participation in Community Sport in London.
As well as meeting with NGBs individually, we are also hosting regular events – both on and offline – to help NGBs network with each other and share information and learnings.
If you are an NGB and wish to receive information about these events, please submit your contact information here.
We are also currently engaging with Local Authorities, Trusts and Foundations, Subject Matter Experts, Higher Education Directors of Sport and Location Specific Partners.
Strategic Lead: David Reader
David is our Strategic Lead for Community Sport with extensive strategic and operational experience gained with not-for-profit organisations within the field of sport management.
David is a graduate of Birkbeck, University of London with an MSc in Sport Management and, prior to London Sport worked as Head of Development with Archery GB.
Workforce Planning Support
We believe a motivated and competent workforce is crucial for helping Londoners be active and since 2019 we have been supporting partners to facilitate the creation of sport and physical activity workforce plan for their organisation or area.
If you would like to embark on a sport and physical activity workforce plan for your organisation or location, please get in touch.
We can offer the following free support:
- Resources to help your understanding of the latest workforce issues.
- A planning template to guide you through a process to help you decide your workforce priorities.
- Practical one-to-one support to guide you through the process.
- Signposting to any available funding opportunities
Please get in touch if you would like to access any of the above, or discuss any Community Sport issues you’re facing.
Meet the Team
David Reader is our Strategic Lead for Community Sport with extensive strategic and operational experience gained with not-for-profit organisations within the field of sport management.
David is a graduate of Birkbeck, University of London with an MSc in Sport Management and, prior to London Sport worked as Head of Development with Archery GB.
