The OpenActive Champions programme launches this month,uniting ten advocates working to locally transform their part of sport and physical activity sector with open data.
The CSP Network is delighted that 6 CSP staff are amongst 10 advocates who are embracing local transformation with open data to get more people active.
The OpenActive Champions programme launches this month, uniting ten advocates working to locally transform their part of the sport and physical activity sector with open data.
The OpenActive Champions programme is a peer-network supporting ten advocates in the sport and physical activity sector responsible for driving physical activity locally. From Yorkshire to Sussex each champion is at various stages of their open data journey ready to progress change.
Local efforts for nationwide change
Increasing physical activity is complex. People face various barriers when becoming and staying active, which changes dramatically across England. Some places have high levels of unemployment, activities across sparse rural areas, high health-related issues, a lack of digital infrastructure, diverse communities, saturated markets and seasonal challenges.
OpenActive Champions make it possible for open data to play a part in responding effectively to these complexities.
A vision made for champions
Collectively, supporting their own remit of work, the OpenActive Champions embrace and influence transformation with open opportunity data. They are committed to develop local knowledge, share good practice and drive innovation. Learning from their collective experience they will champion open data to help people get active across England and support the wider initiative.
The Open Data Institute’s support
Mandy Costello, OpenActive’s Head of Data Literacy at the Open Data Institute said,
“At the ODI we aim to support the champions to progress their vision by connecting them to experts and together develop practical solutions, skills and approaches to amplify their transformative work in their local area. We welcome the champions as they embark on an exciting journey with open data and will support them along the way.”
The ODI will support the champions to identify how open data can support their individual aims within their existing organisational roles. Their work as champions aims to amplify their existing work in the sector where open data can benefit.
The champions mark a beginning of geographical focus across the initiative and the ODI encourages others to get in touch if interested in progressing open data in their locality as an OpenActive member.
Open call selection process for appointing champions explained
The ODI promoted an open call inviting people who are passionate about bringing change to the sport and physical activity sector to apply as a champion. Champions completed their applications responding to questions around experience, knowledge, motivation and opportunity. Applications were assessed by four reviewers at the ODI. Shortlisted champions were interviewed by a member of the ODI’s OpenActive team before The final selection of 10 champions were made
Meet the champions from across the CSP Network
Sport Operations Manager, Active Surrey
Lawrie supports local partners and stakeholders to work creatively to address inactivity in Surrey through development of sustainable projects.
“I would like to help organisations and activity providers in Surrey to work together so that the digital offer reflects the reality of the great range of activities that exists already in the county.”
“I’m excited to see some of the smart solutions emerging to promote leisure in 2018.”
Insight and Evaluation Officer, Active Norfolk
Rachel conducts qualitative and quantitative research and generates additional insight for the county.
“My ambition as a champion is to make the most of open data opportunities, remove barriers to physical activity opportunities, and learn more about how to get people moving.
“I’m excited to improve visibility of opportunities across the UK in both urban and rural areas.”
Strategic Lead — Physical Activity, Active Sussex
Gemma is the strategic lead for physical activity and health managing stakeholder relations and taking an insight led focus on inactive populations. She acts as the Disability & Safeguarding lead, and heads up the CSP Intelligence Programme.
“I’m committed to helping to bring change to the sector in our area. As part of Active Sussex we aim to raise the profile of open data via our ongoing stakeholder engagement and specifically through the Intelligence Programme to ensure partners understand both programmes.
“I feel if we can change the perceptions around data and help partners understand the wider benefits, it will not only help them as organisations to increase their reach and potential targeting, but will also ensure more people are able to find the opportunities and experiences that are right for their needs easily and quickly.
“I’m most looking forward to both developing practical solutions based on the needs of partners and learning from best practice and also connecting with data experts and building new partnerships.”
Research and Insight Manager, Yorkshire Sport Foundation
Emma manages and coordinates research and evaluation activities and impact measurement for Yorkshire Sport Foundation.
“I’m really interested in how we can use open data to drive innovation in the sport and physical activity sector, and ultimately get more people active across Yorkshire. For me, this is about how we bring in our whole sphere of partners from Local Authority facility providers to community organisations and activators in some of our most inactive communities.
“I’m excited to progress how we have that open data conversation locally and provide solutions that will improve both choice and access to opportunities for individuals in our region.”
Development Manager (Activity and Sport), GreaterSport
Shirley’s takes leadership of the Sport Hub, working in collaboration with local and national partners to increase participation in sport and physical activity across the lifecourse within Greater Manchester.
“My ambition as a champion is to work with experts and utilise our combined knowledge and insight; education to networks, act as an advocate for ODI and the power of digital, and influence a range of partners across Greater Manchester to open their opportunity data to help make sport and activity easier to access through digital platforms.”
Specialist Advisor — Technology for Participation, London Sport
Alex is responsible for shaping London Sport’s strategic commitments to supporting technology, data and digital initiatives designed to raise levels of participation in physical activity and sport in the capital. This includes shaping the strategic design and implementation of the Sport Tech Hub, OpenActive and leading London’s plan of action in ‘Making London the Heart of the Sport Tech World’.
“As an early advocate and supporter of the OpenActive initiative, leading to the opening of data from some of the early activity providers, I am keen to pass on the learnings and experiences gained so the right foundations can be implemented in other parts of the country.”
“I’m most excited about supporting the growth of OpenActive beyond London by working with the remaining OpenActive Champions.”
About OpenActive
OpenActive is a community-led initiative of sport and physical activity organisations and individuals, using open data to help people get active. It hopes to support the 17.7 million (39.4%) adults in England who don’t exercise enough, to easily discover and take part in suitable activities. Together, the sector is improving access to opportunity data, stimulating innovation with data to meet people’s digital expectations, developing open standards, building data literacy, and working collaboratively to evoke change across the sector.
Read more about the OpenActive initiative
Read more about the OpenActive initiative
Join the OpenActive community
Learn about open data
Content supplied by Patrice John- Baptise, Comms for ODI and OpenActive.
