The RFL has entered a six-year partnership with Upshot, an online application developed by the Football Foundation, to manage, monitor and evaluate the impact of Sky Try.
Sky Try is a new Rugby League initiative that supports and develops grassroots participation across the UK. It incorporates four distinct pillars each with specific targets and outcomes: Primary Rugby League, Secondary Rugby League competition and coaching, Play Touch Rugby League and the ‘Make the Big Games Bigger’ initiative.
The Sky Try programme aims to increase the number of viewers, spectators and participants in Rugby League. A key priority is to drive long-term growth through measurable outcomes and impact, whilst ensuring uniform product delivery and monitoring.
Upshot was selected to manage, monitor and evidence the Sky Try programme for the RFL, and ensure accountability throughout so that return on investment can be measured.
The RFL has followed in the footsteps of other sporting organisations such as England Handball, Goalball UK and the Basketball Foundation in using Upshot to manage, monitor and evidence its work.Launched in 2012, the system is now being used by over 300 organisations including sports national governing bodies, county sport partnerships, local authorities, charities, healthcare providers, police crime commissioners and other not-for-profit community groups.
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation will also be using the Upshot system in 2015 to measure the impact of their community work across Leeds. With a large portion of the 28 full time staff coaching and delivering education across Yorkshire the official charity of the Leeds Rhinos will be to record and evidence all community work with the Upshot system.RFL Programmes Director Julia Lee said: “We are delighted to have enlisted Upshot to help us monitor the progress of Sky Try and measure how successful the club foundations are at delivering the programme
“Not only will Upshot bring a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to measuring the success of each of the four areas of the grassroots initiative, they will also help us demonstrate the impact this having on people’s lives.
“Sky Try will make a huge difference to hundreds of thousands of participants and this six-year partnership with Upshot will give us the insight to track these journeys.”
Duncan Jones, Head of Development for Upshot, commented: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the RFL and its exceptional work to deliver community sport making a real impact on our society.
“This is exactly the ‘dream’ we had when we launched Upshot and I am extremely proud that we are now delivering this. I genuinely think Upshot will make managing the Sky Try programme much easier, simplify the lives of those delivering it and clearly show its impact.”
For more information on the Upshot system visit: http://upshot.org.uk/