What is a Community Sports Network?

A Community Sports Network (CSN) is an initiative developed to recognise the leaders in sport for each community. It is an instrument to enhance communication between partners aspiring to provide an active healthy lifestyle, in addition to catering for the specific needs of the community. The role of a CSN is to enhance the delivery of sporting targets within the local community. This will not only encompass the framework determined by Sport England, but also the needs of the local population.

The networks are strategically planned to involve all key institutions, agencies and individuals within the Local Authority Area. This will develop the local communities ability to make decisions, influence change and deliver Sport within its Area. It will also allow a range of needs and objectives to be considered. As physical activity is now regarded as the driving force behind a healthy lifestyle it is an invaluable asset to a vast number of stakeholders. These must be recognised and allowed to input on the decisions, outputs and outcomes of sport within the community. The CSN is this outlet and will subsequently lead to the development of sport and achievement of the criteria defined by the Yorkshire plan for sport.

North Yorkshire Sport has 8 Local authority Areas that will all have a CSNs in place. These are at varying stages of development, initiated by North Yorkshire Sport and the Local Authorities.

The Business Plan stipulates that these will be in place for December 2006. At North Yorkshire Sport, we consider it very important for the development of the CSNs that a Website facility is available this will help communicate information to key partners in addition to providing basic information. Contact details are available on the respective pages, any general enquiries Contact North Yorkshire Sport: Lizzie Hughes,

Information Officer NYS    lizzie.hughes@harrogate.gov.uk