What is RPE?

 SPARC’s Research, Policy and Evaluation group comprises three teams: Policy, Research, and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME). The RPE group also contains the Registrar for the Sports Tribunal which is housed at SPARC.

What is RPE’s role?

Prior to SPARC’s restructure in 2006 there was no RPE group, but two small Research and Policy teams. RPE was established in 2006 to:

Drive the strategic research programme for SPARC and for the sector.

Drive SPARC’s strategic policy programme.

Develop core policy in the area of sport and recreation and set the policy context, frameworks and priorities for SPARC’s operational arms.

Lead the strategic planning process to assist the translation of Government priorities and SPARC policies into SPARC strategy.

Act as a key link between SPARC and the Minister for Sport and Recreation.

Monitor and evaluate sector programmes and investment as they relate and contribute to the achievement of SPARC’s mission.

Contribute to the development and evaluation of SPARC’s initiatives so they are consistent with SPARC’s strategic and governance documents, and coordinated with the rest of Government.

Oversee the effective management of the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

About each team in RPE

Policy:

The Policy team has four full time staff with three main areas of focus:

Policy development and implementation

SPARC offers advice on issues of importance to the sport and recreation sector and represents New Zealand's interests internationally. SPARC seeks to identify key issues relating to physical activity, sport and recreation; to explore options for improving physical activity and sport outcomes; and to identify priority areas. Some of the policy areas SPARC is currently working on include:

• National Policy Framework
• Anti-Doping
• Liability and Risk Management
• Gambling

Reporting and advice to the Minister

The Policy and Research team is responsible for the preparation of SPARC’s strategic policy and planning documents. This includes production of an annual Statement of Intent and reporting to Parliament.

SPARC also provides advice to the Minister for Sport and Recreation, informing him of issues and developments in the sport and recreation sector and assisting with responses to parliamentary questions, ministerial correspondence and requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982.

Working across government

SPARC seeks to adopt a whole-of-government approach to policy and strategy development, working with local, regional and national agencies. In particular, SPARC aims to create links and partnerships with health and education agencies and promote physical activity and sport as well as research and development across the sector.

Research:

The Research team was established to oversee and provide advice on the SPARC-wide research programmes and is responsible for delivering on key strategic research projects that include a sector focus.

Significant projects include:

• Conducting the New Zealand Sport and Physical Activity Survey
• Facilitating the development of a National Research Strategy (implementation plan currently being drafted);
• Value of Sport projects;
• National Facilities Audit;
• Engagement in miscellaneous cross-govt/cross-country projects

The annual SPARC contestable research fund is also run by the team. Grants provide funding for research projects that will expand the knowledge and evidence base of the sector.

The team also runs a Research Omnibus which involves conducting occasional SPARC omnibus surveys to the sport and recreation sector on various nationally-focused topics.

The team disseminates research through the Relay electronic newsletter and the Research webpage, which contains key SPARC research reports.

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) team combines three inter-related functions – leadership of strategic and operational planning for SPARC, the establishment of an evaluation and monitoring programme for interventions that arise from those plans, and a reporting function that communicates our progress against those plans to government and the sector.

PME is a new team of four, with expertise particularly in monitoring, evaluation and planning.

In 2007/08 we will be evaluation in particular the Coaching Strategy and programmes in the children and young person’s areas. We will also establish and implement an overall programme and approach to monitoring and evaluation for SPARC.

Updated | 08 Oct 2007.

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