Wellington City Council - Talent Development Programme 7
Good practice lessons
Partnerships reduce risk and improve project performance
This programme is geared to utilising existing expertise. Management is driven by input from a range of expert individuals and organisations. The delivery of the funding is channelled through an existing organisation that specialises in sports talent development. The funding recipients are established sporting organisations. They are assessed according to their ability to integrate programme support into the development of sportspeople with whom they have already established a working relationship.
Aside from avoiding any reinventions of the wheel, this partnering approach minimises financial risk. This is a necessity in a programme with a small budget. The programme also seeks to maximise resources by progressing applications that demonstrate the funding will go straight to the training needs, “direct to the coalface”.
Agreeing on programme purpose and philosophy at the outset
Until the philosophy and approach underpinning the programme is agreed, there is a greater risk that the partners will go in different directions. Clarifying the fundamentals at the outset is good risk management practice.
Support the applications process
The programme team were happy with the quality of the applications. A key reason for this was the support the applicants received. Part of the application process suggested contacting NZAS North Island. Once they had made contact, NZAS North Island took a very proactive approach to supporting organisations in developing their applications.
Passionate sporting people
Passionate people, who are especially passionate about their sport, drive sports. When managing a fund like this, inevitably there are applicants with varying degrees of experience in dealing with funding processes. Handling a range of passionate applicants requires good people management skills. It’s another reason to manage the applications process in an informative, supported and transparent manner. This kind of approach is crucial to fostering our sporting talent.
To learn more about the WCC Talent Development Programme contact Ken Bailey, Manager Sports and Recreation Engagement,
ken.bailey@wcc.govt.nz.
Updated | 13 May 2008.
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