“It Goes Hand in Hand with Us Trying to Get More Kids to Play” Stakeholder Experiences in a Sport and Active Recreation Voucher Program

Abstract

Vouchers that reduce the cost of sport and active recreation participation have been shown to increase children’s and adolescent’s physical activity levels. Yet, the influence of government-led voucher programs on the capacity of sport and active recreation organisations is unclear. This qualitative study explored the experiences of stakeholders in the sport and recreation sector that were engaged in implementing the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s Active Kids voucher program in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 sport and active recreation providers. Interview transcriptions were analysed by a multidisciplinary team using the Framework method. Overall, participants reported that the Active Kids voucher program was an acceptable intervention to address the cost barrier to participation for children and adolescents. Three main steps influenced the capacity of organisations to deliver their sport and recreation programs and the voucher program: (1) Implementation priming—alignment of the intervention aims with stakeholder priorities and early information sharing, (2) Administrative ease—enhanced technology use and establishment of simple procedures, and (3) Innovation impacts—enablement of staff and volunteers to address barriers to participation for their participants. Future voucher programs should include strategies to enhance the capacity of sport and active recreation organisations to meet program guidelines and increase innovation.