Respondent characteristics are presented in Table 2. Although there were some changes in (local) coordinators after the funding period, most representatives of NSFs and sports clubs were involved in the sporting program for multiple years. Representatives of sports clubs were mainly the trainers that provided the program to participants. Furthermore, a diverse sample of sports clubs was represented, including sports clubs of different sizes and from all regions in the Netherlands (see also Table 2). Sports clubs that discontinued programs had provided the programs for an average of three years (range 1-8 years; not in Table).
Table 2: Descriptive characteristics of interviewees
|
Program continued
|
Program stopped
|
NSFs (n=14)
|
(n=10)
|
(n=4)
|
Gender (n, %)
|
|
|
Female
|
4 (40)
|
1 (25)
|
Male
|
6 (60)
|
3 (75)
|
Age, mean + range (years)
|
43 (25-59)
|
50 (35-59)
|
Number of years employed with the NSF, mean + range (years)
|
14 (1/3-36)
|
13 (10-18)
|
Number of years involved in program, mean + range (years)
|
4 (1/4-9)
|
4 (2-9)
|
Function within NSF (n, %)
|
|
|
Current program coordinator
|
8 (80)
|
0 (0)
|
Former program coordinator
|
2 (20)
|
4 (100)
|
Size NSF (n, %)
|
|
|
Medium (25.000-100.000 club members)
|
3 (30)
|
3 (75)
|
Large (˃ 100.000 club members)
|
7 (70)
|
1 (25)
|
|
|
|
|
Program continued
|
Program stopped
|
Sports clubs (n=28)
|
(n=17)
|
(n=11)
|
Gender (n, %)
|
|
|
Female
|
7 (41)
|
5 (45)
|
Male
|
10 (59)
|
6 (55)
|
Age, mean + range (years)
|
56 (36-78)
|
59 (27-79)
|
Number of years employed with the sports club, mean + range (years)
|
11 (1/6-25)
|
24 (5-52)
|
Number of years involved in program, mean + range (years)
|
8 (2-15)
|
3 (1-8)
|
Function within sports club (n, %)*
|
|
|
Trainer/coach
|
12 (71)
|
8 (73)
|
Board member
|
4 (24)
|
0 (0)
|
Chairperson
|
2 (12)
|
2 (18)
|
Secretary
|
1 (6)
|
2 (18)
|
Other
|
0 (0)
|
2 (18)
|
Size sports club (n, %)
|
|
|
Small (≤ 100 club members)
|
3 (18)
|
1 (9)
|
Medium (101-300 club members)
|
7 (41)
|
6 (55)
|
Large (≥ 301 club members)
|
6 (35)
|
2 (18)
|
Unknown
|
1 (6)
|
2 (18)
|
Region in the Netherlands (n, %)
|
|
|
North
|
4 (24)
|
1 (9)
|
East
|
6 (35)
|
2 (18)
|
West
|
4 (24)
|
4 (36)
|
South
|
3 (18)
|
4 (36)
|
NSFs=National Sports Federations.
* An interviewee could have multiple functions within the sports club.
Table 3 describes continuation of and changes made to the sporting programs after the funding period by the NSFs. Six and a half years after the funding period ended, ten of the fourteen NAPSE funded sporting programs were sustained at the level of the NSFs, but one program without direct involvement of sports clubs. Previously, people could participate in this program on an individual basis or at a sports club, but the NSF only continued the individual training option. Many sports clubs, however, still provided their own training programs for inactive people or people novice to the sport. For eight of the sustained programs, a NSF program coordinator was present and nine NSFs still provided support (e.g. materials, advice) to their associated sports clubs to run the programs. During the years, some changes were made in target group (n=6 programs) and/or content (n=9 programs) of the programs. The other four NAPSE funded sporting programs were directly stopped at the level of the NSF after the funding period. However, one program was still offered by sports clubs without involvement of the NSF. For another program, coordination of the NSF was not necessary anymore, because sports clubs (and event organizations) could run the program on their own.
Table 3: Continuation of and changes made to sporting programs by NSFs (2017-2018)
Sporting program
|
Continued by NSF
|
NSF program coordinator
|
Support of NSF to sports clubs (M, K, F, T)*
|
Changes in target group or content after the funding period?
|
Yakult Start to Run (previously: Start to Run)
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K, F, T).
|
Target group: No. Content: Yes, the duration of the program is now 7 weeks with the test run in week 7. Sometimes, local sports clubs replace the individual training sessions for more guided training sessions. Furthermore, there is a running app (audio coaching) that participants can use for the individual training sessions. Also, the name of the program has changed into Yakult Start to Run. Yakult is the main sponsor of the sporting program and plays an important role in promotion of the program.
|
Judo in school
|
Yes.
|
No.
|
Yes (M, K).
|
Target group: Yes, the focus is predominantly on children. Content: Yes, judo lessons in school vary from 1 to 8 lessons. Follow-up lessons are mostly at the club.
|
Through Four Days Marches
|
Yes, but people can only take part in de training program individually. The NSF does not collaborate with walking clubs anymore for the training program. However, walking clubs still offer their own training programs.
|
Yes.
|
No.
|
Target group: No. Content: Yes, the individual training schedules have been improved including interval, power and technical training. Participants can take part in a regional meeting where they get information about their training schedule and the Four Days Marches of Nijmegen (e.g. how to train well, which clothes and shoes to wear). In addition, they can take part in one preparatory walking event. The regional meetings are organized by walking trainers. Participants can only take part in the training program individually. There is no direct link anymore between the national training program and the local training programs that walking clubs (still) offer themselves.
|
Working by Walking
|
No.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
N.A. The NSF did develop a new program ‘Walking Fit’ using elements of the old program.
|
Flexible (previously: Trendy Weeks for Masters)
|
Yes, but the changed program has not been implemented yet.
|
No.
|
Yes (M, K, T).
|
Target group: No. Content: Yes, the original themes (e.g. Move on music) are not used anymore. The 8-12 weeks gymnastics classes focus now on condition, power, flexibility and coordination. For example, all flexibility exercises from all old themes are now combined into the theme ‘flexibility’. Also, a trainer course has been developed for the changed program. Finally, the name of the program has been changed into ‘Flexible’ due to confusion about the term ‘Masters’(which age groups belong to the Masters category?).
|
Fit Hockey
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K).
|
Target group: No. Content: No.
|
My Swimming Coach
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K, T).
|
Target group: Yes, the focus is next to recreational swimmers (including adults who swim for health benefits) who swim in a swimming pool also on competitive swimmers and people who swim in open water. Content: Yes, the training schedules and one-day clinics have been adapted to the target groups. Also, the program is expanded with training courses of multiple weeks (e.g. front crawl course).
|
Thinking and Doing
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K).
|
Target group: Yes, the focus is on adults 60+ years. Content: Yes, the bridge course material is adapted to the older target group (60+). The physical activity component is now an optional component.
|
Start2Bike (previously: Cycle-Fit)
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K, F, T).
|
Target group: Yes, the focus is more on novice cyclers and less on inactive people. Content: Yes, instead of 6 training sessions of 2 h, the program consists of 4 training sessions of 3 h (the program duration is 4 weeks). The training content itself is the same. Also, the name of the program has changed into Start2Bike, because this name reflects more the learning of cycling techniques.
|
Cycle & Enjoy Nature
|
No, but sportive cycling clubs still offer the program.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
Trio-Triathlon
|
No, because local event organizations/clubs can organize the Trio-Triathlon events themselves now and also do this.
|
N.A.
|
Yes (K).**
|
N.A.
|
Beach volleyball
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K, T).
|
Target group: Yes, the focus is more on adolescents and (young) adults. Content: Yes, in addition to the existing activities the NSF also organizes the Beachvolleyball circuit (15 weekends from May to August with tournaments). Also, new one-day events are developed, like the ‘Join Volleyball bus’, which visits schools. This bus includes all kinds of (beach volleyball) materials so that people can become acquainted with the sport.
|
Cool Moves Volley
|
Yes.
|
Yes.
|
Yes (M, K, T).
|
Target group: Yes, first the age group was children from 5 to 12 years. Now the age group is children from 6 to 12 years. The activities were too difficult for children 5 years of age. Content: Yes, there are minor changes in the game rules and technical exercises. Furthermore, Cool Moves Volley is now the official volleyball form to teach children 6 to 12 years the fundamentals of volleyball at volleyball clubs and also the official competition form for this age group.
|
Ultimate Volley Xperience
|
No.
|
N.A
|
N.A.
|
N.A. An element of de program (side-event) is continued by a commercial organization.
|
N.A.=Not applicable; NSF=National Sports Federation.
* Support of NSF to sports clubs: M=Materials (e.g. promotional materials, trainer manual), K=Knowledge/advice, F=Financial resources, T=Trainer courses specific for the program.
** Local organizations and clubs can still contact the NSF for advice when they want to organize a Trio-Triathlon event.
The sustained programs varied widely with regard to the number of activities offered per year, their actual reach and the number of participants becoming a member of a sports club/the NSF (see Table 4). When there was no NSF program coordinator or a program was completely stopped at the level of the NSF (but not at the level of sports clubs), this information was often unknown.
Table 4: (Sustained) sporting programs: number of activities, involved locations, participants and membership
Sporting program
|
Number of activities per year
|
Locations in 2017-2018 (n)
|
Average number of participants per year (n)
|
Average percentage of participants that becomes member of a sports club/the NSF (%)
|
Yakult Start to Run (previously: Start to Run)
|
The 7-week training program is offered two times a year in March and September in different locations.
|
180 (171 athletics clubs, 9 other locations)
|
3.500
|
90% of participants wants to continue running and of these 84% wants to do this at an athletics club.
|
Judo in school
|
Unknown*
|
100 judo clubs
|
Unknown*
|
Unknown*
|
Through Four Days Marches
|
The individual training program is offered one time a year for a period of 6 months with weekly training schedules, a start meeting and participation in a preparatory walking event.
|
N.A.
|
1.500
|
80% of participants is still member of the NSF one year after finishing the program.
|
Working by Walking
|
N.A. Both the NSF as well as walking clubs stopped offering the program.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
Flexible (previously: Trendy Weeks for Masters)
|
Unknown*
|
Unknown*
|
Unknown*
|
Unknown*
|
Fit Hockey
|
The program is offered on a weekly basis at hockey clubs during the whole year.
|
20 hockey clubs
|
160
|
100%, all participants are member of a hockey club/the NSF.
|
My Swimming Coach
|
Online platform with training schedules for the whole year; 6 one-day swim clinics; the 12-week front crawl course is offered 3 times a year in different locations.
|
90 swimming pools with 54 involved swimming clubs
|
3.000
|
100%, all participants are member of the NSF. It is unknown how many participants become member of a swimming club.
|
Thinking and Doing
|
The 2-year program is offered two times a year in two different locations/municipalities.
|
2 locations/municipalities
|
120
|
35% of participants becomes member of a bridge club/the NSF; another 40% of participants continues to play bridge, but only with others at home.
|
Start2Bike (previously: Cycle-Fit)
|
The 4-week training program is offered two times a year in April and October in different locations.
|
100 sportive cycling clubs, some in collaboration with cycling stores
|
1500
|
30% of participants becomes member of a sportive cycling club/the NSF.
|
Cycle & Enjoy Nature
|
The NSF does not offer the program anymore, but sportive cycling clubs still offer the program on a weekly basis from April until October.
|
Unknown**
|
Unknown**
|
Unknown**
|
Trio-Triathlon
|
The NSF stopped coordinating the events. Local organizations/clubs organize the events. A Trio-Triathlon event is organized one time a year by an organization/club.
|
101 Trio-Triathlon events in different locations
|
7.890
|
Unknown**
|
Beach volleyball
|
2.000 Beach volleyball clinics in schools and companies; one time a year the Beach volleyball circuit (15 weekends from May to August); 300 other one-day events at schools.
|
300 locations with structural Beach volleyball activities (e.g. Beach volleyball clubs, beach accommodations)
|
63.500 (50.000 clinics, 10.000 Beach volleyball circuit, 3.500 one-day events)
|
Unknown
|
Cool Moves Volley
|
The program is offered on a weekly basis at volleyball clubs during the whole year. Also, the program is part of physical education classes (PE) in primary schools. In addition, 2.000 clinics are offered at primary schools.
|
4.434 (350 volleyball clubs and 4.084 primary schools with CMV activities during PE)
|
51.000 (16.000 CMV-members, 35.000 participants of clinics). It is not known how many children are reached during PE classes.
|
100%, all participants at volleyball clubs are member of the club/the NSF. It is not known how many participants of clinics become member of a volleyball club/the NSF.
|
Ultimate Volley Xperience
|
N.A. Both the NSF as well as volleyball clubs stopped offering the program.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.=Not applicable; NSF=National Sports Federation.
* Unknown, due to lack of central coordination by the NSF and/or absence of a NSF program coordinator.
** Unknown, because at the level of the NSF the program has stopped completely.
Key factors influencing the long-term sustainability of sporting programs aimed at inactive population groups
In Table 5, the key facilitating (+) and impeding factors (-) influencing the long-term sustainability of the sporting programs are presented per main theme. Inductively added factors are presented in bold. Most factors were mentioned by both NSFs and sports clubs (n=17, e.g. Program design: program adaptation (+)). However, some factors were more important to NSFs (n=5, e.g. Implementation: program evaluation (+)) or sports clubs (n=9, e.g. Program design: social aspect (+)). The results are described in more detail below under the five main themes - program design, implementation, trainer/coach, organizational setting NSF/sports club and broader community environment. Since the impeding factors were often the inverse of the facilitating factors, they are not always explained separately. Factors common to both NSFs and sports clubs are described first (common factors), followed by description of factors specific to NSFs or sports clubs (specific factors).
Table 5: Key factors influencing long-term sustainability of sporting programs aimed at inactive target groups*
Main theme
|
Factors important to both NFSs and Sports clubs (common factors)
|
Factors important to NSFs (specific factors NSFs)
|
Factors important to sports clubs (specific factors sports clubs)
|
1. Program design
|
· Program alignment with needs inactive target group (+)
· Become acquainted with the sport in an easy and right way (+)
· Program adaptation (+)
· Program does not align with needs inactive target group (-)
|
· High program costs (-)
|
· Social aspect (+)
· Fun (+)
|
2. Implementation
|
· Training and education (+)
· Positive program effects (+)
· Recruitment inactive target group is difficult (-)
|
· Program evaluation (+)
|
· Low participant numbers (-)
|
3. Trainer/coach
|
· Knowledge trainer (+)
· Personal approach of participants (+)
|
|
|
4. Organizational setting NSF/sports club
|
· Compatibility of program with organization’s mission/activities (+)
· Benefits (+)
· Program financing (+)
· Support of NSF to sports club (+)
· No compatibility of program with organization’s mission/activities (-)
· No benefits (-)
· Lack of program financing (-)
|
· Program coordinator (+)
· Absence or leave of program coordinator (-)
|
· Enthusiastic and committed leader (+)
· Availability of professional trainers (+)
· Absence or leave of enthusiastic and committed leader (-)
· Lack of/dependence on volunteers (-)
· No support of NSF to sports club (-)
|
5. Broader community environment
|
· Partnerships (+)
|
· Popularity sport/program (+)
|
· Competing programs/activities (-)
|
NSFs=National Sports Federations.
* Inductively added factors are presented in bold; (+) facilitating factor for sustainability; (-) impeding factor for sustainability.
Program design
Common factors
NSFs and sports clubs continued sporting programs because they aligned with the inactive target group’s needs. For inactive people, the threshold to participate in sport in general or at a sports club in particular may often be too high. The sporting programs provided opportunities for this target group to become acquainted with the sport in an easy and appropriate manner without getting injuries. Afterwards, these people are experienced enough to continue the sport in a beginner’s group at the club.
Program adaptation was another program design factor enhancing programs’ long-term sustainability. During the years, sporting programs were adapted (i.e. with regard to content or organizational aspects) both by NSFs and sports clubs, to constantly meet the needs of the (previously) inactive target group and the sports clubs. Continuous sporting programs were, for instance, (gradually) adapted to the (previously inactive) participants becoming more physically active (e.g. creating a beginner’s and more advanced group). Changes were also made to programs due to the availability of new knowledge or technologies (e.g. including more strength and flexibility exercises in training sessions to prevent injuries with inactive people, using a running app instead of a training schedule per email), new partnerships (e.g. changing program name in sponsor name) and sometimes decreased financial resources (e.g. providing less training sessions in schools). Mostly, only minor adaptations were made (see also Table 3):
“We changed the program from six training sessions of 2 hours to four training sessions of 3 hours, based on feedback of participants. First, they had to plan six weekends free, now only four weekends. And with 2 hour sessions, there was actually little time left to cycle, because you had to move to the starting location of the training and due to the time needed to startup the training. So now they have more time to cycle.” (NSF, continued program)
Specific factors
(Trainers of) sports clubs continued sport activities due to their social and fun characteristics: The social opportunities provided during the program (e.g. drinking coffee/tea before, during or after training, going to and participating in a sport event together), the acquired social relationships and having fun during participation were main reasons for (previously) inactive sport participants to attend and keep attending the programs (according to trainers) and also for trainers to stay motivated themselves.
High program costs (e.g. due to the use of expensive program materials, intensive guidance of participants or the need to rent a specific (sports) accommodation), which could not be financed from participant fees alone and for which external financial resources were needed, resulted in discontinuation of programs by NSFs.
Implementation
Key implementation factors influencing the long-term sustainability of programs are described below. It should be noted that these factors were not only important during the three-year funded implementation period but also thereafter.
Common factors
NSFs (e.g. national or regional trainer courses) and sports clubs (e.g. trainers transmitting knowledge and skills to other trainers) provided trainer courses specific for the sporting programs on a regular basis (i.e. once or multiple times a year). These were very important for sustaining the programs: they provided trainers of sports clubs with the necessary skills to guide the inactive target group and assured sufficient (professional) trainers were available.
Another implementation factor facilitating the long-term sustainability of programs was their effectiveness. When a program showed positive effects with participants, like participants learning the sport and becoming more physically active, NSFs and sports clubs were more likely to continue it. Also, partners and sponsors were more willing to contribute (and keep contributing) to effective programs:
“The schoolteachers think the sport lessons are very important. They see the positive effects of the lessons on the behavior of the children and how they interact with each other. So we keep continuing the lessons. We bought training suits together.” (Sports club, continued program)
The sporting programs were aimed at increasing participation in sport by inactive target groups. The NSFs promoted their programs via national press, the internet (including social media), television and partner organizations. The actual recruitment of participants was done locally by sports clubs through the distribution of posters, flyers and leaflets. Also, adverts were placed in local newspapers and on social media and participants were recruited by word of mouth. When sufficient participants were recruited, a large part was often already somewhat physically active at the start. In general, it was difficult to recruit large numbers of inactive people through these standard recruitment strategies and trainers of sports clubs did not always have the knowledge or resources to get in contact with the inactive target group. This also resulted in discontinuation of programs:
“The inactive and overweight target group was difficult to reach. We underestimated this. To get in contact with this target group you need more. You need other expertise and contacts next to a sport trainer.” (NSF, discontinued program)
It should be noted, however, that some NSFs and sports clubs did manage to reach larger numbers of inactive people through collaboration with organizations or people that are close to this target group (e.g. organization for older adults, physiotherapist, general practitioner). These organizations or people promoted the sporting program to inactive people or referred inactive people to the programs (see also factors Broader community environment).
Specific factors
Program evaluation contributes to the long-term sustainability of programs according to NSFs. It was done by the NSFs to demonstrate program effectiveness and to ensure the program fitted with the target group and sports clubs. NSFs used different methods for evaluation, like (online) questionnaires, interviews and group meetings with participants and/or trainers:
“Every year, we evaluate with all 70 involved trainers. We ask for their opinions: the opportunities they see, the barriers they experience. What do they notice with the target group? They are close to the participants, so they are well-informed about their experiences. Also, participants receive an online questionnaire. Based on the results, we give feedback to the trainers, so that they can further develop themselves. We also use the results to improve the courses and clinics.” (NSF, continued program)
For sports clubs, low participant numbers (also in relation to the difficulty to recruit large numbers of inactive people) was an important factor hindering sustainability of their sporting programs.
Trainer/coach
Common factors
The sporting programs aimed to encourage (constantly new) inactive people to participate in sport. Both NSFs and sports clubs agreed that for their long-term sustainability it is very important that the appointed trainers have the knowledge and skills to guide this particular target group. This ensures that participants have positive sport experiences and gladly come back to the club to participate in (additional) sport activities. In this regard, a personal approach of participants is desired:
“The person in front of the group is very important. Participants want to have the feeling ‘he (the trainer) sees me’, ‘he knows what I am doing’.” (Sports club, continued program)
As mentioned previously, providing training and education opportunities to trainers is a way to realize this (see Implementation factors).
Specific factors
There were no trainer/coach factors specific to NSFs or sports clubs.
Organizational setting NSF/sports club
Most retrieved factors important for the long-term sustainability of programs were related to the organizational setting of the NSFs and sports clubs.
Common factors
Sustained programs aligned with the NSFs’ and sports clubs’ core values and activities:
“This program fits with the DNA of our organization. It’s the DNA of our sport. There will always be a concept like this within our organization.” (NSF, continued program)
Programs were also continued by NSFs and sports clubs due to the acquired benefits, such as more people becoming familiar with the sport or sports club, a better image of the sport, attracting new target groups, more participants, new club members and people who are willing to do club volunteer tasks. However, programs were stopped when they did not align with the organizations’ core values and activities and program benefits were absent:
“We are not the right organization to do something with this target group. The program has no advantages for us. It even has no societal advantages.” (NSF, discontinued program)
Sustained programs secured their financial resources. For both NSFs and sports clubs this included internal financial resources, participant/membership fees and in some cases sponsorship fees. Financial resources were not only used to run the programs, but also to educate trainers, to promote the program, to buy (sport) materials and to further develop the program. On the other hand, a lack of program financing, sometimes in combination with high program costs (see Program design factors), was an important reason for NSFs and sports clubs to discontinue programs.
Most NSFs still supported sports clubs in different ways, for example, by providing them with knowledge and advice, (promotional) materials, financial resources and training and education opportunities (see also Table 3). Promoting the sporting programs nationally and supporting clubs with organizational aspects were other examples of NSF support to clubs. This saved sports clubs a lot of time and made it possible for them to focus mainly on the sport activities and guidance of participants. Both NSFs and sports clubs, therefore, agreed that the support that NSFs offered was of great value to sports clubs for continuing activities.
Specific factors
For some sports clubs, a lack of support of their NSF was a reason why they stopped offering programs:
“First, the NSF had three club advisors, but they left due to cut downs. After that, we were not approached anymore to implement the program. The club advisors always helped us. They made the connections with municipalities and schools. We implemented the program multiple times, but now we have stopped. I think because we are not approached anymore.” (Sports club, discontinued program)
The remaining (specific) organizational factors influencing long-term sustainability were related to human resources. Having one or more persons in the organization responsible for coordinating the program within the organization facilitated the long-term sustainability of programs. On the level of the NSF, this was the employed NSF program coordinator, sometimes assisted by other NSF employees. This person focused, for instance, on (coordinating) national promotion of the program, recruitment and assistance of clubs and recruitment of partners. Sports clubs relied on one or more enthusiastic committed trainers or volunteers who were occupied with the recruitment of (other) trainers and participants and all kinds of other organizational aspects:
“I am the head trainer and I coordinate the program. There are eight assistant-trainers and two other educated trainers. I coordinate all actions and assign tasks to everyone. Every two months, we meet with all trainers to discuss everything, like problems encountered during implementation or problems with participants and so on. The trainers alternate during the training sessions. We do this with a lot of enthusiasm. We like to be in front of a group of participants and to share our enthusiasm for the sport.” (Sports club, continued program)
Programs were less sustainable when there was no national coordinator present. Also, continuation of programs was threatened when the national coordinator would leave. The same was true for sports clubs regarding their local coordinator. For sports clubs, it was even more difficult to find a (new) coordinator due to their reliance on and often a lack of volunteers:
“Well, I am doing this now for the third or fourth year. One day, I will look around to see whether someone could take over my task. When there is no one who wants to do this, this could impede continuation of the program. It is common in volunteering that people want to help and support, but it is sometimes difficult to find a real coordinator or leader.” (Sports club, continued program)
With regard to human resources, sports clubs also mentioned the availability of (enough) professional trainers as an important factor for continuing activities at the sports club level. As described previously, professional trainers enhanced sport experiences of (inactive) participants and, in this way, contributed to continuation of programs (see also factors related to Implementation and Trainer/coach).
Broader community environment
Several factors in the broader community environment were reported that influenced the long-term sustainability of programs.
Common factors
Long-term partnerships were important for sustaining programs, both at the national and local level. NSFs collaborated, for instance, with (sport) event organizers, municipalities, sport stores and other commercial organizations (e.g. from food and drink industry). Local sports clubs collaborated amongst others with schools, municipalities, organizations for older people, sport stores, health professionals (e.g. a general practitioner, physiotherapist) and other sports clubs. Partners promoted the programs, supported in recruitment of inactive participants (e.g. referral of inactive people to program), provided financial, material or human resources and shared their expertise or facilities. Brand awareness, more participants (e.g. for sport events), attracting new customers (e.g. for sport stores) and contributing to more healthy or physically active people were examples of benefits for partner organizations.
Specific factors
The popularity of a sport in general or of the sporting program in particular supported it’s long-term sustainability according to the NSFs:
“Many people do the sport and the sport is still growing enormously. We encourage people to practice it with this program. We show people that practicing the sport in a safe and appropriate manner is important to us.” (NSF, continued program)
On the other hand, competing programs or sport activities threatened continuation of sporting programs according to sports clubs:
“In our municipality, many children play soccer and handball. And there is hockey and they offer all kinds of other sports. Children have many options to choose from which leaves fewer children for our activities.” (Sports club, continued program)
Results in the ecological perspective
Considering the ecological perspective of the settings-based approach to health promotion [8-10], an ecological model is used to summarize the results. The factors are presented in the form of a checklist, which can be used as guidance to enhance the long-term sustainability of sporting programs aimed at (previously) inactive target groups and implemented in the organized sports setting (see Figure 1). Figure 1 illustrates that the long-term sustainability of a program is a continuous process: it should be considered from the very beginning, i.e. during program development/design (arrow 1). Furthermore, continuous attention should be paid to sustainability during the implementation/continuation phases (arrow 2). Moreover, the long-term sustainability of a sporting program is influenced by all levels of the organized sports setting (arrow 3), either directly or indirectly through program development/design and program implementation/continuation factors (e.g. sport participant level). By taking into account the different factors that influence long-term sustainability, the sustainability process in turn influences program development/design, program implementation/continuation and the different levels of the organized sports setting. This is visualized by reciprocal arrows (arrows 1-3).