In 2019 the Champions programme kicked off with a cohort of 38 people from local partners, Scottish Governing Bodies of sport and national third sector organisations who were willing to take a risk on a new programme, a new approach and a new way of thinking. 4 cohorts and over 140 Champions later, we now have a network of thought leaders who are contributing to changing lives through sport.
In 2024, the Champions programme is now ready for Cohort 5 - we are seeking a group of people who believe sport and physical activity can help change lives and become part of the network of thought leaders that are leading change in our system.
Changing Lives is a mindset:
The Changing Lives mindset is about using sport and physical activity to intentionally bring about positive change for people and communities.
This approach supports our Sport for Life strategy which sets out the direction for sport and sportscotland. It celebrates how everyone in Scotland can benefit from sport. It sets out our commitment to inclusion underpinning everything we do, and our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) brings this commitment to life. We need meaningful, intentional action to drive this change. We won't achieve this alone, and our EDI approach shows how we will play our part. Our use of the changing lives approach contributes to our EDI strategy by providing learning and development to the professional officers working with club and community organisations, to support them to achieve Active Scotland outcomes and crucially, contribute to wider outcomes.
We want sport and physical activity to deliver intentional outcomes in areas such as health, education, community development and social cohesion, with inclusion underpinning everything we do. All of this will be done through strong partnerships within and outwith the sporting sector.
The Champions Programme inspires and enables professional staff working in the clubs and communities environment within the sporting system to adopt and apply a Changing Lives approach and ultimately help clubs, Community Sport Hubs and community organisations to deliver individual and community change through sport and physical activity.
The aim of the Champions programme is to deliver increased enthusiasm, knowledge, skills, capacity, and resources so that organisations can utilise the Changing Lives approach.
Key topics include:
- The power of sport
- Start with ‘why’
- Managing change and how ideas spread
- How we create change for people and communities
- Understanding how Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpins our work
- What are outcomes in sport?
- Understanding communities
- How to identify community needs
- What does sustainability look like for us?
- Sustainable and inclusive pricing models
- Creating a logical model of how impact will be achieved
- Implementing an evaluation and learning cycle
- Telling compelling stories
- Getting ready for investment
- Being a thought leader
The application form and all relevant details can be found within the pack. If you have any issues with a written application, please contact Pamela Dewar (contact details below) to discuss a more accessible format.
The deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 28 May 2024. An information session for anyone interested to hear more before applying will take place online on Wednesday 15 May 2024 11-12pm. Sign up here.
Please note if you are successful in the process, the Champions cohort 5 induction session will take place online on Wednesday 19 June 2024, 930-1130am so please keep this date free for now. Your line manager will also be asked to attend their first session on Tuesday 18 June 2:00-3:30pm online.
For further information on the Champions programme, please contact pamela.dewar@sportscotland.org.uk