Active Australia inspired by world-class athletes

Achieving medal performances has become harder as international competition standards rise, training systems, technology and intellectual property are quickly replicated, and investment strongly correlates with results. For over a decade, Rapid Impact has supported the CEO, leadership team and board, of the Victorian Institute of Sport to apply its pursuit of excellence in performance and organisational culture through the development of successive strategic plans. Possibilities are rigorously explored and debated, with the end point being a shared understanding and careful consideration of where effort and investment will be targeted.   

For over a decade, Rapid Impact worked with Netball Australia to create consecutive strategies that would see the sport undergo generational change and unprecedented growth. The CEO and leadership team of the day demonstrated a willingness to be challenged, a commitment to new ways of thinking, and a consistent drive and capability needed to deliver each successive strategy. During this time, netball engaged over 100,000 kids in its nationally-driven participation program (from a zero base), delivered a 300% increase in coaches and a 35% increase in officials, and most importantly, introduced the first Trans-Tasman league and a nation-wide participation festival. The sport has never looked back. 

For Australia’s sports franchises, the race is on for clubs to build the biggest and most engaged fan base, grow TV and new media share of the market and wallet, and connect most effectively with local communities, whilst at the same time, delivering on-field performance. Rapid Impact began the strategy journey with an NRL club shortly after an off-field restructure and the appointment of three independent directors. The focus of the first engagement was to create a bold strategy that honoured the past, yet marked a new era, where a single brand, collective identity and new strategy would be championed. While on field performance is slowly turning around, the club now boasts a strong financial position and deep community engagement.

One of the UK’s major Olympic sports was determined to capitalise on the London 2012 Olympic Games, especially while government investment was strong and the nation’s expectations and interest was high. Rapid Impact worked to create a proactive strategy with the newly appointed leadership team with an eye on delivering a measurable Olympic legacy. The sport delivered the strategy and more, achieving continuing high-performance outcomes at benchmark events and thriving local community clubs. 

Creating positive educative and unforgettable experiences through school sport can set many children up for an active life. Rapid Impact worked with School Sport Australia to consider its product offer and delivery mechanisms in a fast-changing sports world. For many school children, representing their school at intra and inter-state competitions creates lifelong friendships and deepens their interest and connection in sport and physical activity. 

The Minister for Sport created a forum involving sports from across Victoria to jointly understand the barriers and solutions required to make sport welcoming and inclusive for all Victorians. Rapid Impact facilitated this large forum, creating an environment that enabled the existing success stories to be shared, and a robust discussion to take place around where sport could show strong leadership and extend the range of people participating, particularly those in under-represented sub-groups. System-wide opportunities for collaboration around non-competitive areas such as research, data collection, and back-of-house systems, were identified.