Summary
We were approached by British Orienteering to undertake a research and insight project to consult with orienteering participants and stakeholders in order to gain understanding of the following areas:
- Perceptions and experiences of orienteering
- Motivations and barriers for participation in Orienteering
- Activity level of orienteering participants
- Clubs, Events and Membership
- Target Groups and the role of British Orienteering
- Consultation of the British Orienteering strategic refresh
Approach
We used a mixed methodology approach with the development of two online surveys and virtual focus groups to gain a large amount of quantitative and qualitative responses to key questions. The online surveys were completed by over 2000 participants and 90 stakeholders and the focus groups reached 39 senior members, junior members, club officials and school teachers and was used to back up the evidence provided by the online surveys. We then analysed all the qualitative and quantitative data and provided British Orienteering with a full consultation report with key recommendations based on the feedback of the participants and stakeholders. We also provided British Orienteering with a data dashboard allowing them to dive deeper in to the views of specific demographic groups in the future.
Outcome
The consultation provided British Orienteering with a greater understanding of their participants and stakeholders in terms of their perceptions of the sport, the motivations and barriers of participants. It also provided feedback on the British Orienteering strategic refresh with recommendations of what the participants and stakeholders feel British Orienteering need to focus on in order to grow and develop Orienteering.
Chris Corke, Operations Manager said: "Sport Structures provided a very valuable, flexible and reliable service to deliver this important piece of consultative work. Our staff were provided with training to deliver virtual focus groups using the Tovuti software and we were particularly impressed with the detailed analysis of the qualitative data, having received a large number of responses to our surveys. The report that we have received will help British Orienteering to shape our Strategic Refresh and also provides us with insight to inform decision making in other key areas across the sport."