On 25 February 2026, TAFISA hosted the first Mission 2030 webinar of the year titled "Partnering Researchers, Practitioners, and Policymakers: Advancing Sport for All Together." The session brought together international experts to explore how stronger collaboration across sectors can drive more inclusive, effective, and sustainable Sport for All initiatives. The webinar was organised in partnership with the International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH). ISPAH is dedicated to promoting physical activity as a health priority, through research, policy, and practice.
Moderated by Professor Elizabeth Orton (University of Nottingham, UK), the webinar focused on a central question: How can research, practice, and policy work better together to close the gap between strategy and implementation?
You can watch the webinar below or on Youtube:
Dr Sven Messing (University of Limerick) opened the discussion by highlighting that physical inactivity is not only a health issue, but also a social, economic, and environmental challenge. He emphasised that while many countries have Sport for All policies, implementation often falls short.
Effective collaboration, he argued, requires acknowledging the different perspectives of researchers (focused on evidence), practitioners (focused on delivery), and policymakers (focused on priorities and resources). Only by aligning these perspectives can policies translate into real-world impact.
An expert panel expanded on these themes:
Across the panel, recurring themes included communication, trust, shared objectives, and honest evaluation.
Professor Simon Rosenbaum (UNSW Sydney) presented an inspiring case of Addy Moves, a community-based physical activity initiative serving refugees, women experiencing violence, and people facing social disadvantage.
Developed through a co-design process with community members, the programme prioritises cultural safety, emotional wellbeing, accessibility, and connection. By addressing barriers such as language, childcare, and psychological safety, Addy Moves demonstrates how intentional design can make Sport for All truly inclusive.
During the webinar, participants engaged in several interactive Mentimeter activities to share their perspectives on cross-sector collaboration in Sport for All. When asked about the biggest barriers to collaboration, participants identified recurring challenges such as communication gaps, siloed working structures, lack of trust, funding limitations, and insufficient leadership alignment.
The feedback reinforced a central message of the webinar: meaningful progress in Sport for All depends on collective ownership, open communication, and structured collaboration.
Webinar Speakers:
