Measuring value in sport and development

The Skills Builder Framework provides support to sport for development programmes in planning, delivery and reporting, to ensure that the impact of the programme is measured and can be conveyed.

^{This article was submitted as part of our call for reshaping the future of sport and development.}

Sport and development initiatives can have a profound impact, but the process of measuring their value can present challenges. In the sports context, active settings with limited or no digital access can prohibit data collection - or lead to inefficient processes of transferring paper feedback to online systems.

This article introduces the use of the Skills Builder Framework across planning, programme delivery and reporting. To better measure the value of sport and development initiatives the framework mandates:

Efficient data capture in any setting
Transferability across multiple outcomes and initiatives, for simplicity and clarity
Language which is easily understood by stakeholders but also relevant for beneficiaries

The work of the Skills Builder Partnership is supported by the Skills Builder Framework, which shows how to build essential skills at every stage of life. The eight essential skills are: listening, speaking, problem solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork. The Framework breaks down the eight skills into a sequence of steps, from beginner steps to mastery, which can be learnt and measured.

Together, the Skills Builder Partnership and The Harlequins Foundation support a network of sports for development organisations and encourage them to use the Skills Builder Framework to measure their impact in developing essential skills. Combining our expertise in impact, education and sports, Skills Builder provides bespoke training, resources and networking opportunities. The Sports Cluster enables a diverse range of organisations from all sport disciplines to use a common language for impact measurement, share best practice, and harness the power of sport to build essential skills.

How can the Skills Builder Framework support impact measurement?

Programme planning

The Framework is an open-source tool, used globally by organisations, educators, individuals and employers, which can be accessed in different languages through Skill Builder website.

Pre-designed statements and ready-made survey tools support organisations to set clear outcomes and save time.

It provides a roadmap for skills development across all ages allowing for a consistent tool when reporting on all programmes. The Step statements are context neutral so that they can be used to capture progress in sports, employability, education, and wider life.

For example:

Aiming High-Step 4: I work with a positive approach to new challenges

This step could apply to someone who is facing technical skill challenges in sports, applying for jobs, starting at a new school or overcoming adversity in one’s personal life.

Sports and development initiatives which gather data across different settings can therefore use the same statements to capture their impact, making the process simpler for participants and facilitators.

As the Framework is context neutral, you can maximise your impact data by connecting with other education, community, and employer partners in your area and across the globe.

For example: Working with your network of schools or businesses who are also using the Framework. This will enhance identification of priority skills and steps within your programme, and next steps to measure the impact of your programme.

Programme delivery

The Framework can be used to measure impact through various formats. Sports organisations can use the free Coaching Handbook (digitally or on paper) to run practical activities which build essential skills. Each skill step includes guidance for assessment and questions to lead individual/group reflection on progress.

To capture impact digitally, there are two free survey tools available:

Skills Builder Benchmark captures individual self-assessment data. The survey asks how consistently you are able to demonstrate each skill step.

Participants follow the survey questions and are provided with a skill score, their top three strengths and three areas for development.

If you are unable to gather individual data, the Skills Builder Hub captures group-level assessment data. The survey asks “How many learners have mastered this step?”

Facilitators can quickly track a group’s progress in terms of skills and identify the main strengths and areas for improvement. This tool can also be used by organisations working with schools so that teachers can complete and share their assessment with the sports coach.

Reporting

Supported by these digital tools, the Framework presents a holistic picture of your impact by facilitating the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The Framework combines tangible numbers for progress made and reflections on the statements themselves.

Example 1:

A recent evaluation has shown that participants make, on average, between 1 and 1.5 steps of progress across all eight of the essential skills, as a result of our 12 week-programme. This demonstrates the accelerated progress achieved, in comparison to the 0.55 steps of progress a young person can is expected to make over the course of a year without any targeted support. (Skills Builder, 2021)

Example 2:

The Harlequins Foundation has delivered weekly sessions to 13 and 14-year-old students of Kingston Academy. The students used Skills Builder Benchmark at the start and end of the year to track progress against the 8 essential skills.

Each session focused on a different skill and comprised of some classroom work, with small group discussions, and then a practical session to put learning into practice.

The coaches have noticed great improvement in the pupils’ confidence in speaking and listening skills. Students were speaking clearly in front of their classmates and using leadership skills to run activities in a fair way.

What’s next for the Sports Cluster?

Our mission is to support sports organisations to easily and proficiently measure their value, enabling them to maximise impact and transform lives. When used throughout the planning, delivery and reporting cycle, the Framework and its accompanying tools provide organisations with a clear measure of progress, as well as the next practical steps for skills development.

To enable partner organisations to share the value of their initiatives, the Sports Cluster also offers programme accreditation against the Skills Builder Impact Levels. The four levels recognise, celebrate and promote good practice in essential skills development across the partnership and public directory.

To find out more about how your organisation can be involved in the Sports Cluster, and receive support using the Skills Builder Framework, download a prospectus from Skill Builder website.

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Bella Audsley leads the Sports Cluster Network at the Skills Builder Partnership, based in the UK. The Skills Builder Partnership brings together a global network of over 725 not-for-profit impact organisations, educators and employers around a shared mission: To ensure that one day, everyone builds the essential skills to succeed.

The Harlequins Foundation is the charitable arm of Harlequins Rugby Club. They work with vulnerable children and young people within the Harlequins London Heartlands to positively impact their lives through the power of sport. Established in 2015, The Harlequins Foundation puts community at the heart of everything they do. They focus on sustainable and transformative solutions that tackle inequality, poor health and challenges facing the most vulnerable in society using education and skills development.

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