The Northern Ireland Sports Development Network (the Network) was formed in the late 1990's to provide support, guidance and training to Sports Development professionals employed throughout Northern Ireland.

In recent years there have been increasing emphasis on the capacity of sport and physical activity to deliver a range of societal objectives which include crime reduction, health and well-being, educational attainment and lifelong learning. This has lead to a growing number of appointments in the field of Sports Development.

There are currently 135 members of the Network including:

- governing bodies of sport

- local authorities

- education and library boards

- community/voluntary organisations.