{"id":35830,"date":"2026-03-22T23:14:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T23:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/?p=35830"},"modified":"2026-03-22T23:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T23:15:00","slug":"breaking-the-silos-why-collaboration-is-key-to-advancing-sport-for-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/breaking-the-silos-why-collaboration-is-key-to-advancing-sport-for-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking the Silos: Why Collaboration Is Key to Advancing \u201cSport for All\u201d\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen global collaboration in physical activity promotion,\u202fthe International Society for Physical Activity and Health\u202f(ISPAH) partnered with\u202fThe Association For International Sports for All (TAFISA)\u202fto host a Mission 2030 webinar exploring how researchers, practitioners, and policymakers can work more effectively together to advance \u201cSport for All\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The global landscape of physical activity is currently facing a silent crisis. Approximately\u202f7% to 9% of annual deaths are linked to physical inactivity, with a staggering\u202f81% of adolescents\u202fand 27% of adults failing to meet recommended activity levels. While the problem is often framed solely as a health issue, the TAFISA Mission 2030 Webinar made it clear that inactivity is a multi-dimensional challenge, spanning social, economic, and environmental sectors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To address this, we must bridge the divide between three key groups:\u202fresearchers, practitioners, and policymakers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a9d451f2ab8a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a9d451f2ab8a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1243\" height=\"696\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Picture-1-4.png\" alt=\"Picture\" class=\"wp-image-35831\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Picture-1-4.png 1243w, https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Picture-1-4-960x538.png 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1243px) 100vw, 1243px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"defining-the-team-a-shift-in-perspective-0\">Defining the &#8220;Team&#8221;: A Shift in Perspective\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The webinar panellists used vivid sports analogies to describe the current state of collaboration. Ben Farai Saunders described the groups as occupying\u202f&#8221;different positions but on the same team,&#8221;\u202fall aiming for the same goal through different roles. Dr Rea Ves offered a family analogy, in which policymakers are grandparents setting the rules, practitioners are parents, and researchers are &#8220;uncles or aunts&#8221; providing an outside perspective.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Dr Stacy Johnson pointed out a harsher reality: often, these groups feel like they are\u202f&#8221;playing different sports&#8221;\u202fwith different rules, players, and opponents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-implementation-gap-why-policy-fails-1\">The Implementation Gap: Why Policy Fails<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A recurring theme was the &#8220;implementation gap&#8221;, the disconnect between well-written policy documents and meaningful change on the ground. Several barriers contribute to this:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a9d451f2b017&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a9d451f2b017\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1078\" height=\"452\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Picture-2-1.png\" alt=\"Picture\" class=\"wp-image-35832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Picture-2-1.png 1078w, https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Picture-2-1-960x403.png 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1078px) 100vw, 1078px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 1: <\/em><strong><em>The Barrier Word Cloud:<\/em><\/strong><em> Interactive polling identified <\/em><strong><em>&#8216;silos&#8217;<\/em><\/strong><em> y <\/em><strong><em>&#8216;communication&#8217;<\/em><\/strong><em> as the primary hurdles preventing effective collaboration between academic researchers and local providers.<\/em>\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Silo Mentality:<\/strong>\u202fStakeholders often work in isolation, lacking the communication mechanisms to connect university researchers with local practitioners.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Competing Timelines:<\/strong>\u202fResearchers may take years to produce a study, while government officials need concrete answers immediately.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Knowledge Hierarchy:<\/strong>\u202fThere is an over-reliance on academic journal articles, which practitioners may find irrelevant or inaccessible compared to applied, program-based research.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unintended Consequences:<\/strong>\u202fSven Messing highlighted a $200 million Canadian tax credit designed to promote fitness that failed because it was non-refundable; it essentially &#8220;made the rich richer&#8221; while failing the low-income groups who needed it most.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strategies-for-meaningful-change-2\">Strategies for Meaningful Change\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How do we move from theory to impact? The webinar participants highlighted several proven strategies:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Experience-Based Co-Design\u202f\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Research and programs must be designed\u202f<em>with<\/em>\u202fthe end-user. Professor Simon Rosenbaum shared the success of\u202f&#8221;Addi Moves&#8221;\u202fin Sydney, a &#8220;not-gym&#8221; for vulnerable populations. By involving refugees, asylum seekers, and people living with mental illness in the design process, they created a space that prioritised\u202fpsychological and cultural safety. This included simple but vital features like providing toys for children so mothers could exercise and offering referral materials in over 15 languages.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Translating Research into &#8220;Toolkits&#8221;\u202f\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To influence practice, researchers must go beyond publications. They should provide\u202fpractical toolkits, including posters, case studies, or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), that practitioners can implement immediately.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cultural Adaptation\u202f\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Frank Alohi emphasised the need for flexibility when working in fragile contexts like Zanzibar. If cultural norms prevent girls from playing football, practitioners should not force the sport but instead adapt by offering culturally accepted activities like netball or volleyball, building trust with community leaders first.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shifting the Funding Bias\u202f\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ben Farai Saunders presented a provocative &#8220;elephant in the room&#8221;: the massive investment in elite sport versus grassroots sport. While the\u202fparticipatory sports sector is valued at $560 million, four times the value of the elite sector, policy often reflects a bias toward the podium. The panel argued that if we follow the evidence, investment should prioritise\u202f&#8221;Sport for All&#8221;\u202fand community-based development, which offer a much higher return on investment for society.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-path-forward-structured-dialogue-and-accountability-3\">The Path Forward: Structured Dialogue and Accountability\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make collaboration the norm rather than the exception, Dr Rea Ves advocated for a\u202f&#8221;structured dialogue&#8221;\u202fprocedure. This involves creating regular, transparent channels where grassroots actors and NGOs have as much of a voice as Olympic-style federations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a researcher working in physical activity and public health, the discussion strongly reinforced the importance of closer collaboration between evidence generation, programme delivery, and policy decision-making. Ultimately, advancing &#8220;Sport for All&#8221; requires\u202fhonesty, passion, and a willingness to be critical. We must stop being &#8220;evangelical&#8221; about sports\u2019 benefits and instead use robust monitoring and evaluation to prove what actually works. By treating researchers, practitioners, and policymakers as one cohesive team, the \u201cSport for All\u201d movement can move beyond policy documents and deliver real change in communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"watch-the-webinar-and-stay-connected-4\">Watch the Webinar and Stay Connected\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who were unable to attend or would like to revisit the discussion, the full recording of the webinar is available on <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/knTvWF35vkM?si=yPDwvUlPrMgreX4O\" title=\"\">YouTube<\/a>. The conversation highlighted the growing importance of stronger collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance the global \u201cSport for All\u201d agenda.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TAFISA\u202fwill also host its next webinar,\u202f<em>\u201cFrom Heritage to Future: Revitalising Traditional Sports and Games for Today\u2019s Youths,\u201d<\/em>\u202fon\u202f<strong>22 April 2026<\/strong>, continuing the dialogue on inclusive and culturally relevant approaches to physical activity and sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/us06web.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/4817612346636\/WN_m4J_93SIR-K6DkGdpmR3kw\">Reg\u00edstrese aqu\u00ed<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"acknowledgement-5\">Acknowledgement\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This webinar was organised in partnership between\u202fInternational Society for Physical Activity and Health\u202fand\u202fTAFISA. A special acknowledgement to Prof Liz Orton, whose skilled moderation kept the conversation focused, dynamic, and inclusive throughout.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"about-the-author-6\">About the Author\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bushra Ali is a researcher in physical activity and public health and a member of the Capacity Building Committee at\u202fInternational Society for Physical Activity and Health. Her work focuses on physical activity promotion, implementation research, and strengthening collaboration between research, policy, and practice.&nbsp;<br><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen global collaboration in physical activity promotion,\u202fthe International Society for Physical Activity and Health\u202f(ISPAH) partnered with\u202fThe Association For International Sports for All (TAFISA)\u202fto host a Mission 2030 webinar exploring how researchers, practitioners, and policymakers can work more effectively together to advance \u201cSport for All\u201d.&nbsp; The global landscape of physical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1261,"featured_media":35833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jf_schedule_form":"","_jf_limit_responses":"","country-income-classification":"","slim_seo":{"title":"Breaking the Silos: Why Collaboration Is Key to Advancing \u201cSport for All\u201d\u00a0 - ISPAH","description":"As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen global collaboration in physical activity promotion,\u202fthe International Society for Physical Activity and Health\u202f(ISPAH)"},"_slim_seo_primary_term_category":0,"_slim_seo_primary_term_post_tag":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1261"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35830"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35835,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35830\/revisions\/35835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ispah.tecology-hosting.co\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}