Strategic and Operational Support

Every new plan is stronger when you’ve learned from the last one.

Whether it is a complex strategic review or an important operational issue, we help organisations to find solutions.  

Too often, an idea is pursued without considering the past context. Our review work allows you and your partner organisations to gain clarity of purpose before embarking on your next planning cycle. 

Projects Undertaken By RSL

We’ve partnered with a range of organisations to bring their facility, planning, and activation goals to life. To help you explore our experience, here is a record of projects we have completed, including the name of the client organisation, so you can see the kind of work we’ve done with others like you.

• Tapawera Community Hub Coordination (Tapawera Connect)

• Whangārei Recreation Facility Site Assessment (Whangarei District Council)

• Selwyn Park Visioning Exercise (Selwyn District Council)

• RST Network Strengthen and Adapt Project (Sport New Zealand)

• Tauranga Indoor Courts Displacement Options (Tauranga City Council)

• Selwyn Sports Participation Assessment Updates (Selwyn District Council) - See Project Summary →

• Rugby Club Financial Model Options (Christchurch City Council)

• Aorangi Park Indoor Courts - Functional Design Brief (Timaru District Council)

• Mount Maunganui Campground Review (Tauranga City Council) - See Project Summary →

• Canterbury Water Polo Study (Sport Canterbury)

• Christchurch Community Cricket Review (Sport Canterbury)

• Community Organisation Strategic Review (Te Whare Roimata)

• Aquatic Leisure and Demand Modelling (Auckland Council)

• Sports Hall of Fame Development (Sport New Zealand)

• Community Centres Strategic Plan (Tauranga City Council)

• Blake Park Future State Report (Tauranga City Council)

• Financial Assessment of Proposed Artificial Turf (Palmerston North CC) - See Project Summary →

• Supporting Procurement Process for Indoor Courts (Selwyn District Council) - Opened May 2021

• Sports Readiness Assessment (Palmerston North City Council)

• Strategic Review of a Facilities Fund (Major Funder) - See Project Summary →

• Active Recreation Review (Sport Canterbury)

• Strategic Facilities Review (Nelson City Council)

• Operational Review Community Sports Centre (NCSPRT) - Stadium Opened August 2021

• Lansdowne Park Study (Marlborough District Council)

• Waimakariri Tennis Clubs Review (Waimakariri District Council)

• Sector Scan - (Major Funder)

• Operating Model Review (Lincoln University Recreation Centre) - Opened June 2021

• Taranaki Social Value of Aquatics Assessment (Sport New Zealand)

• Pricing Strategy Review (Large Venue Operator)

Project Summaries

Here’s how we’ve helped clients improve their strategic and operational impact. Each summary gives a snapshot of the project scope, who we worked with, and the outcomes achieved. From concept testing to full feasibility and business case development, these projects highlight the depth and variety of our work—and how we tailor our approach to each client’s unique needs and context.

What We've Done
Selwyn District Sports Participation
Selwyn District Sports Participation

Selwyn District Council (SDC) has for several years collected participation data from key sports.

Read More →
Holiday Park and Campground Management Review 
Holiday Park and Campground Management Review 

After Bay Venues Ltd (CCO) of Tauranga City Council expressed an interest in taking over the management of this Council-run Holiday Park, Tauranga City Council requested RSL to provide an independent review. 

Read More →
Strategic Funding Review - Major Funder
Strategic Funding Review - Major Funder

RSL Consultancy was approached to undertake a strategic review for a major community funder’s facilities investment (The Fund).

Read More →
Financial Assessment of Proposed Artificial Turf (PNCC)
Financial Assessment of Proposed Artificial Turf (PNCC)

RSL Consultancy was engaged by Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) to provide an independent assessment on the financial implications for PNCC on the development of a second multi-use artificial turf.

Read More →

Explore Our Other Services

Looking for more ways RSL can support your project? Check out our full range of planning, strategy and activation services.

  • "Richard Lindsay's experience and insight delivers significant value to recreation and sport projects. He can contribute to international sporting facility planning or a local community pool and walkway development. His approach is particularly refreshing and engaging connecting to the range of stakeholders that contribute to this work. Whether your need is a detailed objective report or a philosophical discussion over a cup of tea I fully endorse Richard's capabilities."

    David Bailey – Recreation Services Manager – Christchurch City Council

  • "When it comes to consulting within the sport and recreations sector, it’s hard to go past Richard Lindsay. With over 20 years professional experience working in local and central government, combined with his working knowledge and understanding of both the sport and recreation systems, he’s an asset to any consultancy project. From facility development, to the formulation of strategy, or policy review, he’s done it all. His cost effective and pragmatic approach, combined with a customer focused, relatable manner makes him an asset to our sector."

    Julyan Falloon – Chief Executive, Sport Canterbury

  • "Richard is a passionate, committed, articulate and knowledgeable professional who will add value to any project. I thoroughly enjoy working with him and would not hesitate to work with him again if the opportunity arose."

    Alison Law, Parks And Recreation Manager, Kāpiti Coast District Council

  • “I must say it is a pleasure to work with a consultancy that is knowledgeable and able to deliver appropriate solutions in a timely manner.”

    Bill Steans, Parks and Recreation Manager, Timaru District Council