The NCC delivery planning process has highlighted a number of issues that should be addressed before the next phase of sports undertakes the same process. Overall, it would seem that there are a number of learning messages, including; Co-operation between home country governing bodies. There is evidence to suggest that home country governing bodies are supporting the lead agency. Representation at source group meetings, sharing information and general agreement between each organisation has been evident. It is vital that this continues to be the case with the next set of sports that go through this process. Senior support from within the lead agency. More often than not, each lead officer has been able to dedicate their time to the NCC delivery planning process. Backfilling the lead officer`s time and role is fairly common and the additional funding each sport received helped to enable this. Communication between different sports. In some cases, the process of developing the NCC appears to have encouraged communication between different sports. The orientation event appears to have been particularly effective in this respect. This has to be regarded as a positive outcome of the process. Although not a common occurrence, communication and information sharing between the six sports has been evident. Strategic issues such as the modernisation agenda can slow down and constrain the NCC process. Developing a delivery plan for the NCC prior to the outcomes of the modernisation agenda being fully understood has caused some problems in a minority of sports. All of the tools provided should be retained, but there are areas where each could be developed. Drawing on the experience of the six fast track sports is considered important e.g. through examples of best practice. Reducing the use of jargon within each of the documents is advised. Providing the documents upfront and as a package of guidance materials would be beneficial. The size and level of resources available to the national governing bodies has not yet had an immediate impact on the lead agencies ability to develop the delivery plans. Small sports appear no less able of pulling together the necessary resources and expertise to develop the delivery plans. Whilst this may not be the case with the next sixteen sports, the way(s) in which small sports have coped with the process should be used as learning tools. The level of funding for the lead agencies and sources of funding for specific home country governing bodies is unclear. There are concerns that a lack of financial transparency has created false expectations of what can realistically be achieved for the NCC. All sports would welcome clearer guidance on what would be considered a realistic bid. In addition, there is a concern that home country governing bodies will struggle to draw sufficient funds to implement the NCC. Whilst most sports consider the timescale for the delivery planning process to be adequate, some suggest that an additional couple of weeks should be given to the next sixteen sports. This is likely to raise the quality of the plans, as well as enable the sports to fully consult with their members, particularly their volunteers. There are mixed views about the overall timescale for the implementation of the NCC. Some sports are more confident about which aspects of the NCC they will have implemented by December 2006. The extent to which the NCC is implemented in each sport very much depends on the outcomes of the financial bids and, in some cases, the number of component parts of each sport (e.g. swimming comprises various disciplines, such as synchronised swimming and diving). Implementing the NCC will require a vast amount of information, knowledge and expertise, much of which will be sought from external sources. sports coach UK has an important role to play in facilitating access to these information sources and continuing to maintain a high level of communication with agencies, to ensure the implementation of the NCC remains on-track. There is a perception amongst some sports that the NCC will be viewed in the same light as the former NVQ qualifications system. Overcoming this misconception is vital if the NCC is to get buy in from all coaching levels and representatives from the NGBs. Supporting communication between NGBs and HE/FE colleges is suggested.
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