Sport Policy in Northern Ireland: A Comparative Analysis

Northern Ireland (NI) has navigated a series of societal and political changes as a post-conflict country. Nevertheless, the manifestation of division remains across a range of societal sectors and public services. In acknowledging the complex contextual situation, this chapter presents the political and social realities which influence the public sector, as well as the sporting and education structures in NI. It reflects on the recent modernisation agenda across the public sector in NI. Delayed by a prolonged period of government inactivity (2017–2020), a new Active Living – Sport and Physical Activity Strategy (hereafter Active Living) was launched in March 2022. This leads to a review of the public sector practice of promoting third sector organisations to support the delivery of public services and to determine the implications for the sport sector in NI and the barriers at a policy and practice level. There follows an analysis of the sporting sector, by assessing the current situation, prior to unpicking the specific layers of the sporting ecosystem (elite, community, physical education). In doing so, this chapter highlights the challenges facing sports policy in Northern Ireland and the unique pathways available to athletes with representation under the flag of Great Britain, Ireland, and/or NI.