Who are the main partners

Sportslinx involves a range of partner agencies in terms of education, health, social inclusion and other key policies. 
These organisations have come on board and recognised the value of the Liverpool Sportslinx Scheme. 

Without their help in terms of financial assistance and more importantly their help in kind, providing human resources to staff testing and taster days, it is difficult to imagine how the Sportslinx scheme could have succeeded to its current level.

Partners include:

• Liverpool John Moores University 
• Liverpool University
• Liverpool Hope University College
• Liverpool Health Authority
• City of Liverpool Community College
• The Merseyside Youth Association
• Local Governing Bodies of Sport       

What Funding is involved?

The project is centrally funded by Liverpool City Council; however funding streams are being accessed via Health Authority, New Opportunities Fund, Liverpool East Area Partnership, The Children's Fund and Neighbourhood renewal fund.

What Consultation takes place?

• Major consultation with Primary heads group to confirm schools co-operation
  
• Consultation with Health authority particularly the Alder Hey Ethics committee with regard to safety of children's personal data.
  
• Extensive consultation with community dieticians and governing bodies of sport to ensure success and continuity of after school health nutrition and sports clubs.      

How is the project promoted?

Promotion was via the extensive and effective communication channels, which exist between The Liverpool Sports Development section and our education colleagues as well as the health authority.

Also ongoing promotion via an annual report A-Z of Sports Clubs and a year planner which every school is provided with.

Also in the process of completing a Sportslinx Video for use at the Many conferences and seminars which we are increasingly asked to attend.
 
What will be its lasting effect?

• A significant awareness of the health and fitness of all 9-10 year olds in the city.
  
• The mechanisms and resources to deliver the Sportslinx programme on an annual basis.      

This will:

• increase levels of physical activity across the city through the delivery of sport and health after school clubs.
  
• encourage parents to act as positive role models, and offer them Free training in Sport & Health and activities 
  
• create opportunities for children who performed below average on the physical fitness tests
  
• develop and extend the Talent ID programme
  
• develop a Sportslinx work base-learning module
  
• develop Sportslinx Information Technology Programme
  
• develop Nutritional Resource Packs 
  
• establish Nutritional after school clubs
  
• develop Sportslinx On-line Questionnaire; and
  
• extend Sportslinx testing programme into Secondary schools.      

Why is this project particularly special?

The Sportslinx programme has become a rite of passage for all Liverpool schoolchildren. 

Apart from giving us invaluable information on the health, fitness dietary habits, and sporting preferences of Liverpool youngsters, we now have the capacity to put into place intervention programmes to address some of the concerns which are emanating from the collated information.