There are currently four partnership programmes linked to hosting Mega or Major Events in the UK. With the exception of the Unity programme, whose development was a condition of hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the programmes have formed part of a bid to host the event.
The 2017 review of international sport development initiatives linked to UK Sport major event bids can be read here.
1. Leadership and Excellence in Athletics Programme: LEAP 2017
The UK’s successful bid to host the IAAF World Athletics Championships 2017 incorporated a bespoke legacy programme (Leadership and Excellence in Athletics Programme: LEAP 2017), developed by UK Sport in partnership with UK Athletics (UKA) and endorsed by the IAAF’s ‘Athletics for a Better World’ initiative. The following countries are involved in LEAP: Azerbaijan, Chile, Cuba, Ethiopia, India, Kosovo, Mozambique, Senegal, St Lucia, Uganda.
The programme commenced in May 2014 and aims to work with ten countries worldwide to inspire children to choose athletics as their sport. A key focus is the long-term impact of the programme as LEAP trains Athletics Federation staff, school teachers and young leaders, to ensure that capacity is built within the participating countries to enable athletics activities to continue long after LEAP has finished.
2. Hockey Targeted Assistance Program
In 2013, England Hockey successfully bid to host the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup. As a legacy element of their bid, England Hockey secured a four-year international development partnership with UK Sport. The Hockey Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) in West Africa is a partnership programme with England Hockey, UK Sport, The FIH, Ghana Hockey and the African Hockey Federation working together to deliver an exciting four year expansion plan for hockey in West Africa.
2015 saw the start of the project supporting Ghana Hockey in developing their participation and performance programmes for coaches, umpires and players. Although the project is primarily focused on the women’s game within Ghana, it is hoped that by establishing Ghana as a hub for hockey in West Africa the long-term benefits of the project will be wide reaching for both men and women.
3. Unity Programme – Rugby World Cup 2015
The Unity Programme, is the international legacy strand for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and is a partnership programme between the RFU, World Rugby,
Rugby Europe and UK Sport and aims to grow and develop rugby in the 17 participating European Countries.
For more details, view the 2015 Unity Programme brochure.
4. Netball World Championships 2019
Under development with England Netball and International Netball Federation.