... There should be clear and progressive pathways for all participants in our sport. Whether a gymnast, coach, official or one of the many volunteers delivering gymnastics at a local, regional or national level, we want to build a sustainable system that ultimately ensures all gymnasts have a positive, enjoyable and long term involvement in the sport....Mark Gannon, Chief Executive, Gymnastics England

Knight, Kavanagh & Page (KKP) has been appointed in an innovative commission by Gymnastics England in partnership with Leeds City Council to consider the feasibility of different ways of ‘setting up the sport' to improve its financial capacity to make provision for improvements in gymnastics at every stage of the pathway. This will cover introductory and non-competitive participation through to talented and elite performers, focusing initially on the partnership based scenario that applies in Leeds and also on wider commercial opportunities.

KKP's approach will incorporate a number of key elements:

• Developing an understanding of the size and scale of the potential market for a comprehensive, well-marketed, universally available programme in Leeds.
• Gaining a detailed understanding of the present operation and financing of performance and elite gymnastics in Leeds.
• Gaining a detailed understanding of the present operation and financial performance of introductory and development based gymnastics provision in Leeds and surrounding areas.
• Modelling alternative scenarios for the 'distribution of wealth' based upon the existing structure of activity.
• Considering alternative operating/financial structures - at all levels.
• Considering additional income generation ideas and models related to, for example:
  - Commercial models in/for schools 
  - Key Stage 1 whole curriculum gymnastics...as a package.
  - Looking at trust/other business models for validation, development and delivery.

Proposed changes will be practical and realistic. KKP will also consider whether/how wider models can be developed to shore up the sport in the longer term. Recommendations will be based upon appropriate structures, sound, robust deliverable programmes of activity and accurate market flexibility assessment.

This is an excellent illustration of how KKP marries its knowledge of sport and governing bodies with expertise in feasibility studies and business planning. In addition to bringing practical understanding to this assignment, the Company's multi-use business planning model is ideally suited to this purpose. It is sufficiently flexible to produce and test alternative mixes in the requisite detail, depth and rigour whilst allowing clients to test scenarios such as changes in throughput, pricing policy and inflation ‘on the fly'.

KKP is well known for its ability to combine innovative thinking and practical solutions in project development; Clients consistently report that the business plans we produce are realistic, translate accurately into operational commitments and result in manageable project implementation and viable or profitable ongoing delivery.

Find out more about KKP's expertise in business planning