Louise GearHead of Development Youth Sport Trust

Gosport SSP – Social Enterprise

• Head Teacher/SLT and School approach• School staff (Academy) Department • Line managed by Head Teacher• 3 Full-time staff; 21 part-time/casual staff• All 27 Schools signed up to SLAs• Partnership with Teacher Release• Approx. operating budget of £240,000 pa

Tower Hamlets Youth Sport Foundation

• Charitable Limited Company• Board of trustees• 90 Schools• 17 full time staff• Over 200 part-time/casual staff• Approx. operating budget of £900,000 PA

A sustainable system

•Sponsors, donors or partnerships

•Key steps to effective partnering

•Successful and sustainable structures

Decide what you do best

•What are your goals? •What is your mission?•Who are your champions?•Who can you share this with?•Do you trust this partner?•Are you willing to listen to what they want and need?

.........or are you after some easy cash?

Identify and select potential partners

•Where are the gaps/what is the niche?•Who are your competitors?•What is the partners vision, objectives, goals and core values?•What are the roles and expectations of partners?

Flirting phase - be prepared

•Do your homework•Show you care•Listen and look for synergy•Demonstrate your strong points without boasting•Be eager but not desperate•Beware of mission drift

“Impress them, tell them your story and work on your pitch. You have to beat others. Convince them that your work helps them reach their objectives”

Commonwealth Games Canada

Dating phase – start small

•Start small with small success (pilots)

•Get to know the partner first

•Create and share experiences

•Never give up

Acquaintances, friendship or marriage?

•Don’t try and get nitty gritty details on paper

•Agree your shared goals and show trust

•Agree principles of operating and joint programmes

Close the loop – feedback and evaluation

•Learning requires feedback

•Evaluate periodically

•Consider if both parties expectations have been met

“Maintenance of a relationship is key. Keep in touch. Provide feedback of progress, thank them for their support. Be specific on a personal level. It is too late when you want to ask for money again. Call and invite them to your programme before you need support”

Commonwealth Games Canada

Be a great brand yourself

•Get to know yourself better

•Know your core ideology

•Know your values and what you stand for

•This is a long term process

......so start now!

Features of a great partnership

•Common interest•Working together at all levels •Good communication•Respect and trust•Shared competencies and resources•Synergy