Insights

Notes from
the sector floor.

Articles, sector commentary and case study retrospectives from the RSL team. Practical reading for people working in recreation, sport and leisure.

Featured4-part series
Recent update · May 2026

Local Government Reform: What It Means for Recreation, Sport & Community Services

The recent announcements regarding local government simplification have brought both uncertainty and opportunity to our sector. To support our colleagues and partners, RSL is releasing a comprehensive four-part article series.

4-part series

Local Government
Reform

We're unpacking what the announcements mean for your organisation, drawing on international models and offering strategies to future-proof your community delivery.

  • 01Part 01 — A plain-English summaryRead
  • 02Part 02 — Lessons from Scotland & IrelandRead
  • 03Part 03 — Implications for facility deliveryComing soon
  • 04Part 04 — Future-proofing your service planComing soon
More reading

Latest insights.

AllInsightCase studySeries
Series · Part 01

What the Reform Actually Says — A Plain-English Summary

Strip away the political framing and what does the legislation actually change for councils, regional sports trusts, and community facility operators?

May 2026 · 6 min readRead →
Insight

What Funders Really Want to See in a Business Case

Six things sector funders consistently flag when reviewing applications — and how to address them before submission.

Apr 2026 · 5 min readRead →
Insight

Designing Facilities for the Community That Will Use Them in 2040

How shifting demographics, the rise of casual participation, and changing club models should shape today’s facility briefs.

Mar 2026 · 8 min readRead →
Case study

Why Selwyn’s Recreation Plan Worked Where Others Stalled

A short retrospective on the Selwyn District Recreation Plan — what we did differently, and what we’d do again.

Feb 2026 · 7 min readRead →
Insight

The Quiet Risk in Operational Reviews: Recommendations Nobody Owns

Half the value of an operational review sits in how recommendations are landed. Here’s how to make sure yours don’t end up in a drawer.

Jan 2026 · 4 min readRead →