Examining changes in the organisational capacity and sport-related health promotion policies and practices of State Sporting Organizations

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate changes in organizational capacity and sport-related health promotion policies and practices among State Sporting Organizations (SSOs) who participated in the Partnership for Health (PfH) scheme. The PfH scheme aimed to support the development and implementation of sport-related health promotion policies and practices at SSO-organized events and within their affiliated sports clubs. SSO representatives completed the Health Promotion and Sport Assessment Tool (HP-SAT) twice. Respondents reported capacities, policies, and practices prior to the scheme (retrospective pre-scheme survey), and current capacities, policies, and practices (post-scheme survey). The mean scores (on standardized scales: 0–100) for all components of organizational capacity for health promotion increased significantly between pre-scheme and post-scheme. Similarly, compliance scores for most sport-related health promotion policies and practices for SSO-organized events and support to clubs increased significantly. However, post-scheme strategic planning for health promotion remained low and scores for policies and practices for clubs were generally lower than for SSO-organized events. No significant differences were found between small and large SSOs regarding capacities, policies, or practices. The PfH scheme had a positive impact on most aspects of health promotion capacities, policies, and practices. However, there was room for further improvement in strategic planning and in support for affiliated clubs. Low levels of strategic planning should be addressed by SSOs, and a more extensive engagement between SSOs and affiliated clubs is required to operationalize health promotion strategies at club level.

Keywords:

• sports
• health promotion policy
• capacity building
• sporting organizations
• partnerships

Acknowledgements

VicHealth staff are thanked for their contribution to this research. We are also very grateful for the contribution of participating SSOs and their representatives. This work was partly supported by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).