Services > Advocacy & Policy

Advocacy & Policy

As the Voice of Sport and Recreation in Northern Ireland, we pride ourselves on ensuring the best interests of our members and the wider sporting sector. This is reflected within our Strategic Plan 2020-2024.

Our key strategic pillars are as below.

Collaboration & Partnerships

Northern Ireland Sports Forum aims to facilitate collaboration develop relationships with our member organisations and the wider sport and activity sector.  NISF will lead increased networking and engagement opportunities between members and relevant stakeholders across the sector.

Member Services

NISF will develop relevant services to empower and strengthen our member organisations relevant to their own needs and aspirations

Representation

NISF will act as a strong representative for members and the sector on various groups and committees including central and local government and impact on development of research and evaluation to ensure the best interests of the sport and physical activity sector are upheld.

Business Development

NISF will build capacity of the Forum through seeking new opportunities and to provide support to develop our members

Leadership

NISF will invest in staff and board skill development for the growth of the organisation to enhance services and operations.

All Party Group on Sport and Physical Recreation

What are All Party Groups?

All Party Groups provide a forum by which MLAs and outside organisations and individuals can meet to discuss shared interests in a particular cause or subject.

The Northern Ireland Sports Forum is the secretariat to the APG on Sport & Physical Recreation at the NI Assembly. This provides the NI Sports Forum with a key role in ensuring MLA’s are aware of challenges and developments within the sporting sector and provides opportunities for sports organisations to engage with MLA’s and government departments on an ongoing basis.

The All Party Group meets approximately three or four times per year to discuss relevant items and to have evidence sessions from bodies such as Sport NI, Department for Communities and local authorities.

APG on Sport & Physical Recreation Purpose:

To ensure that sport and physical recreation has a high profile in the NI Assembly.

To influence Assembly policy, to liaise with Sport NI, the governing bodies and other organisations in Northern Ireland so that each organisations will be able to keep MLAs informed on matters affecting sport and physical recreation.

To promote sport and physical recreation which results in improved physical recreation.

To promote sport and physical recreation which results in improved physical and mental health.

To recognise the value of sport and physical recreation as a tool, that can affect change across our most marginalised communities.

To develop cross sectorial working with business, governing bodies, community/voluntary funders, universities and government that promotes, celebrates and collaborates through sport.