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County Sports Partnerships (CSPs), now called Active Partnerships, are teams that bring together schools, health providers, local councils, sports clubs, volunteers, and businesses. Their goal? To get more people moving and playing sports in their local area.
They’ve been working across England with 40+ partnerships for about 20 years. They don’t just organize sports—they help communities stay motivated, healthy, and active.
🤝 What Do They Do?
- Connect People and Groups
They link up local groups—like schools, health services, charities, and sports clubs—to work together and share ideas.
- Spot and Fix Gaps
They look for who’s missing out—such as women, those on low income, disabled people—and create programs just for them.
- Create Programs for Everyone
Examples include school sports days, fitness groups led by doctors, “This Girl Can” events, parkruns, or virtual classes during lockdown.
- Train Coaches and Volunteers
They offer training so that local people can support and run sports and fitness sessions.
- Help Clubs and Facilities
They help sports clubs get funding, improve facilities, and stay organized.
- Promote Health and Social Benefits
By promoting sport, they support better physical and mental health, prevent loneliness, and bring communities together.
🌟 Why Are They Important?
- Better Health – When people stay active, they’re less likely to get sick and tend to feel happier.
- Stronger Communities – Sporting events and group activities help people meet, talk, and support each other.
- Youth Engagement – Sports give ideas to young people, helping them stay focused and out of trouble.
- Local Boost – Hosting events and training volunteers to help grow the local economy and create jobs.
📖 Simple Examples
- Early 2020s (COVID Times): CSPs switched to online fitness during lockdown so people could stay active at home.
- “This Girl Can”: Special events to empower women and girls to play sports and feel confident doing it.
- Parkruns: Weekly runs in parks that bring local people together and promote healthy habits.
🧭 What’s Next?
New national support: Sport England is investing heavily—£250 million—into “place-based partnerships.” Local CSPs are especially targeting areas with the greatest needs, like low-income communities, to reduce inequalities in sports and health.
Data-powered change: CSPs are using data to understand who’s not active and to better design programs.
Digital tools: Online classes, apps, and trackers are becoming more common—though they work better for those who have internet access.
✔️ In Short
County Sports/Active Partnerships are community helpers who:
- Bring local people and groups together
- Find who’s being left out and create inclusive sports chances
- Train locals to lead fun and safe activities
- Boost health, happiness, social connections, and community strength
They’re more than just sports—they build communities.
Final Words
County Sports Partnerships, now called Active Partnerships, help people of all ages get active and enjoy sports in their local areas. They work with schools, health services, councils, and clubs to create fun and healthy activities for everyone. Their goal is to make sport and movement a regular part of everyday life.
They also focus on helping people who may not have easy access to sports, like women, people with disabilities, or those with low income. By training local coaches and volunteers, and improving sports facilities, they make sure more people can join in and feel included.
These partnerships don’t just improve fitness—they build stronger, happier communities. Whether it’s through park runs, online fitness classes, or school events, they bring people together and help everyone feel connected, healthy, and supported.