New Operating Model for Sport in Wales
The Context
Sport Wales is the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales at both community and elite levels. It is also responsible for the distribution of significant amounts of grant funding across a broad portfolio of sports activity in Wales.
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The National Governing Body (NGB) landscape in Wales has operated in the same way for many years. There are over 40 recognised NGBs within Wales and each NGB is its own individual entity, funded separately by Sport Wales to fulfil a contribution of impacting the Vision for Sport and Sport Wales strategy.
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Human Engine were commissioned in August 2024 to explore the options for, and the viability of, a more efficient and effective operating model in Wales for NGBs.
This work formed one workstream of Sport Wales’ Sector Resilience programme alongside streams focussed on income generation and shared services.
The Requirement
Sport Wales sought to understand the viability of different models to structure the management and governance of sport in Wales.
Success factors for this work included:
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​Whether there are options in Wales that are viable and should be considered that would change the current funding, governance and delivery infrastructure across National Governing Bodies of Sport.
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Assessment of the appetite for change across the partners.
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A mapped way forward to bring the options to life.
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Learning from other sectors used to influence this work. ​
The Programme
The Human Engine team developed a series of options and accompanying analysis. This report effectively formed a ‘think piece’ for the art of the possible for the sector.
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Data was gathered through:
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Delivering c.20 1:1 interviews with NGB CEOs and leaders.
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Engagement with Sport Wales stakeholders through weekly project meetings and workshop sessions with senior leadership and Board Members.
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A survey that was shared with the sector and NGB Board Chairs.
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Desktop analysis of existing data from Sport Wales.
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Assessment of operating models and partnership models in operation in different sectors across the UK and sport sectors in different countries.
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This led to nine options that were assessed through use of the Five Case Model. The team applied a multi-criteria analysis to the five cases, giving each option a weighted score across the Five Cases. The Five Case Model was supported by an assessment of the benefits and disbenefits of each model.
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In addition to analysis and assessment of each proposed model, the team delivered an overall evaluation and comparison of the options, including hybrid options (combinations of key parts of different options), enablers for change and a phased programme for delivery.
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The work culminated in engagement sessions with the sector ahead of a phase 2 whereby a preferred option will be considered.
The Outcomes
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Nine different options for future operating models for NGBs assessed using the Five Case Model with supporting benefits and disbenefits.
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Weighted scoring across the Five Cases and overall scores that can be compared across options.
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Six enablers for change for Sport Wales to consider as part of the wider Sector Resilience Programme.
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A phased programme delivery plan.
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A five-strong list of recommendations for Sport Wales and the sector to consider as part of the next phase of this work.
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Client feedback:
'Understood the challenge we are trying to solve and the local nuances that compound it. Brought objectivity and independence to consultation with our partners, which surfaced honest input. Balanced listening with their own expert viewpoints and bringing experience and learning from other areas.
Director - Sport Systems
About Us
Human Engine is a Financial Times top-ranked management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, change, digital, commercial and projects.
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It was founded in 2018 with a belief that the public sector deserves better than it gets from traditional consulting firms – more human, more personal and more knowledgeable of the reality of delivering modern public services.
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We have worked with dozens of public sector organisations to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures to be more agile, commercial and entrepreneurial in order to achieve financial sustainability and improved outcomes for customers and communities.
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Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives.  We do this by blending first-hand experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.
