2007 has been a tremendous year for SASSOT

The Partnership has achieved a great deal and rapid progress has been made in deliverying the actions contained within the current delivery plan.

The success is due to the hard work and dedication of everyone associated with the Partnership, and I would like to thank you for your efforts and congratulate you on the achievement.

Can I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I look forward to our continued partnership working in delivering our vision of "Increasingly active, healthy and successful communities."

Mark Thornewill, Director
Tel: 01785 619896
Email: mthornewill@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Draft Delivery Plan Consultation

Thank you to those Partners who responded to the SASSOT 2008/09 Delivery Plan consultation.

We have received a number of very useful comments and will be including these within the plan.

The final draft is due to be presented to the Executive Board at its meeting on 30 January 2008.

For more information contact:

Mark Thornewill, Director
Tel: 01785 619896
Email: mthornewill@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Focus on SASSOT's Executive Board Champions

Over the next few newsletters, SASSOT will be asking questions of its Executive Board members and detailing their work in their relevant Champion's roles and the positive impacts they’re having.

First "under the spot-light" is the Executive Board Chair, Laurence O'Neill who has answered three questions put to him by a NGB officer, a Sports Development Officer and a SASSOT team member as follows:

1. What impact have you seen made on community sport, by the CSP, during your term of office?

 

The nature of sport and sporting organisations is, and has been, fragmented, whilst access to important information and support has been limited. Connectivity, providing the conduit for these resources by which sport can be developed, is therefore an important factor for the CSP. I have seen a whole range of benefits as a result of CSP operations, including recognition for improving equity across Staffordshire, proactively facilitating the Community Investment Funding process across a range of sports communities, the ‘bringing together’ of a whole host of regional sports and voluntary sector organisations in collaborative workshop environments and creation of a sports information knowledge base, are to name a few. Participating organisations have a voice, we are listening. They now have improved channels of communication, as a sporting community, we are responding. Our sponsors have access to better information so they can improve and target their services more effectively, we are facilitating and regional and national sporting networks have recognised our leadership, we are positively reinforcing.

 

2. How do you see the role of the CSP developing over both the short and longer terms?

 

In the short term - we have to continue to maintain the momentum we have achieved in sports development but raise the bar a few notches. We have a range of Staffordshire community based objectives to fulfil which have been generated as part of our involvement with the local sports community and not just the all embracing national sporting agenda targets. These objectives are designed to benefit our community and engage sponsors in ways which are mutually beneficial. We will embrace these in the short term and are already planning activities and communications events with our stakeholders to address this. This will include the continued promotion and development of the Partnership's sports portal (www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk) as a hub for community sports information and support.

 

Medium to long term - we may become more intrinsically engaged in sports delivery, changing our focus in response to the national sporting agenda. This will be balanced by an increase in the level of collaboration with other local organisations such as primary care trusts to support their own community health targets.  Longer term, we are already preparing contingencies which include the potential for sustainability through opportunities such as sport and the environment, creation of sports collateral, intellectual property and capital, and provision of sports education which can support local government community and heath targets as well as promote private investment. This is how we will ultimately de-fragment the sporting environment, create truly collaborative community sports networks, maximize the benefits of a connected sport environment and reach our goals of access, health, equity, integration and sustainability.

  

3. If you could have one wish granted (money no object) to impact on particpation in sport and/or active recreation, what would it be?

 

Consider this: There are very few potential remedies for the recorded decline in social integration, behaviour and health. We are aware that there are a whole range of ‘drivers’ or ‘forces’ at work that can significantly influence this, including education, parental influence and economic well being, but sport is a common denominator which can provide channels for all of these influences. Through sports education, we can achieve life-long learning and social skills development; family involvement creates values and bonding whilst activity supports health and well-being.

 

With this in mind, it would be true that hindsight is a wonderful thing! My one wish would be to re-engineer our demise back to the sporting nation it once was, by utilising fully, the facilities on our doorsteps, the schools colleges and local clubs and reignite a sporting institution. To have access to a wide range of sports for our local communities, carefully planned and promoted through local networks and clubs with the provision of local sports activities, coaches, helpers, volunteers and on the agenda of every parish council, church and social club. To be able to utilise the collective involvement of all through this newly charged environment, make good use of communication channels so that we can identify and develop new talent, whilst satisfying the needs of sports access for all. To use this to improve the quality of life for communities and counter the negative forces at work. To respect all those volunteers in doing so.

 

For information on Laurence's experience click here to read his biography.

You can contact Laurence by emailing: sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk

 

If you wish to find out more about any of our other Executive Board members click here.

Next month we will be featuring Carl Bennett (Strategy, Value and Continuous Improvement Champion). If you would like to ask Carl a question contact Jason Britton by 18 Janurary on 01785 619599 or email jbritton@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

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SASSOT delivers first regional Sports and Leisure Sector Employer Event

One of the key objectives of the Partnership's Workforce Development Plan is to improve engagement between sector employers, the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) and the local training provider network. To help facilitate this SASSOT held a Sports and Leisure Employer Event, at Stoke City FC’s Britannia Stadium, for both public and private sector employers.

The event, the first of its kind in the West Midlands, was delivered in partnership with the West Midlands Brokerage Service and Skills Active.

The short morning session provided a great opportunity for local employers to hear about the services available to support them with workforce development. These include one to one visits from the West Midlands Brokerage Service to identify organisational training needs, advise on local training providers and on the availability of LSC Train to Gain funding. 

The event was well subscribed by local employers and will hopefully be the first of many to take place in the sub region. Fred Bentley from the Brokerage Service commented, "The event had provided an excellent bridgehead for further work with the sports and leisure sector, which for the large part, has been area that has not benefited from the substantial funding available through Train to Gain."

For more information contact:

Ben Hollands
Tel: 01785 619317
Email: bhollands@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Equity - £1,000 available in SASSOT's Access ACROSS Staffordshire Fund 

The second round of the Partnership’s Access ACROSS Staffordshire’s funding scheme is still open for applications. The fund is open to Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport who require financial assistance to support or develop a new project which has an equality theme and fits into one of the target categories.

£4,000 has already been commited to eight equity-based sports projects across the sub-region. The projects, which focus on improving accessibility to sport and active recreation within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for under-represented groups, have each received £500 towards for their delivery.

The closing date, for the second round of applications to support similar projects , is 4^th February 2008 .


For more information contact:
Jason Britton
Tel: 01785 619599
Email: jbritton@staffordbc.gov.ukFemale

 

Ability Counts Day - 19th January 2008
'Girls Ability Counts’ launch day at Aston Villa Academy. Opportunity to get involved in disability football, meet new friends, play in a regular competition and have fun.

Click here for more details and an application form. 

 

Click here to read the December edition of the Equality Standard for Sport newsletter.

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Upcoming Workshops

 

We aim to offer a wide variety of workshops to help clubs, coaches and volunteers develop and keep up to date with topics such as child protection, disability, equity, mentoring, communication, funding and fitness. Our workshops are organised in partnership with sports coach UK, runningsports and a number of First Aid organisers.

Coaches and volunteers, now have an alternative option when taking or renewing their First Aid certificate. Previously, the only course available on our programme was a 6 hour Appointed Person, which entails a high cost in terms of time and cost. In conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), one of the most respected First Aid Training organisations in the country, we will be running a 3 hour Emergency Aid (Community Life Support Course) which will be relevant for most sports. However, as certain sports have more stringent requirements for Clubmark and coaching purposes, delegates should check with their NGB before enrolling on this course.

We continue to deliver regular workshops such as Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Equity in your Coaching and A Club for All. Please note that due to declining numbers on the Equity in Your Coaching and A Club for All workshops, we are reducing the frequency to two workshops per year. If you find that you cannot attend the workshops we have planned, contact Elaine and she will help you find alternatives.

For more information on the full list of workshops available please click here

For more information on the above please contact:
Elaine Loader
Tel: 01785 619695
Email: eloader@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Sporting Champions

Would the young people at your organisation benefit from a visit from a world-class athlete?

Sporting Champions visits are still available to be used in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. If you have an event which centres on increasing participation in community sport, school & club links or leadership & volunteering, we want to know about it!

Sporting Champions can give the young people at your organisation the boost they need to make physical activity a regular part of their lifestyle.

To find out more visit www.sportingchampions.org.uk.

 

How to apply - simply complete the attached form (click here to download) and return to Leigh Morton  lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk . Your request will then be submitted to Sporting Champions who will thereafter liaise with you direct regarding the outcome and visit arrangements.

This is a fantastic opportunity - don't miss it!!

For more information contact:
Leigh Morton 
Tel: 01785 619349 
Email: lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Events Calendar ... is yours listed ?

Do you have any key sporting events that you would like to be included on our Events Calendar?

If so, click here to access the template and fill in your event details along the lines of the Tennis example. Then simply return the template to Leigh Morton and your event will be available for all to see.

To view the Events Calendar to see what's currently on offer click here.

 

For more information contact:
Leigh Morton 
Tel: 01785 619349 
Email: lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Newsletter 

Dont' forget, a printer friendly version of this sport-e newsletter is now available. Simply click on the link at the top of the newsletter to print it off and read at your leisure.

If you would like to submit an article for inclusion in this newsletter please download the Newsletter Article Template and return to:

Leigh Morton 
Tel: 01785 619349 
Email: lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk

DCMS autumn performance report 2007

"Our aim is to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, support the pursuit of excellence, and champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries."

Click here to read the full report.

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World class community sport in England

On Wednesday 28^th November the Rt Hon James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave a speech on creating world class community sport. He outlined that over £4 billion of Government and Lottery funding has been spent on sport at local and national level and that 86% of pupils were now doing at least 2 hours of PE and sport in a typical week.

He linked sport to the structure of a pyramid with school sport being the first part of that.  He reinforced the government’s ambition to offer at least 5 hours of sport every week, to every child and attributed the contribution of the Youth Sports Trust in achieving this.

He moved on to talk about the work of Sport England directly and, put simply, its purpose was to deliver sport in England.  This is why there should be a clear focus on sports development and sports participation. At this point he announced there would be a review of Sport England’s strategy to focus on the delivery of an excellent sporting infrastructure from the grass roots up.

 

The DCMS wants to create whole sports plans, with a single funding pot and to free them up from bureaucracy and bidding. In return the organisations will need to commit to clear goals to improve participation, coaching and the club structure. And in particular, they will need to show how they will reach groups who do less sport today, whether women, poorer groups or some ethnic minorities.

Acknowledging the wider role sport has to play in tackling wider social problems particularly the rise of obesity he stated that the DCMS is playing its part in raising participation in PE and school sport. To reduce obesity he has agreed with the Department for Health and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that they will work closely over the next few months to ensure that all relevant Government departments are working together to deliver a physical activity strategy for all.  This work will provide clarity of the roles and responsibilities for all the different organisations to meet the aim of 2 million more people being more active by 2012.  
 

Sport England has been asked to produce a new strategy in response to the ideas set out by the Secretary of State in this speech. The new work will focus on producing a world class community sports development system, including raising participation in sport.  Sport England’s CEO, Jennie Price, will lead this work with a small group which will include Rugby League Chairman Richard Lewis, Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Steve Grainger and Sport England’s Deputy Chair, Ged Roddy.  The Secretary of State has asked Sport England to produce an initial draft strategy by the end of December 2007for implementation from April 2008.

  

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Living Places

 

Living Places, a new partnership of Cultural Agencies, including CABE (Commission for Architecture and Built Environment), Sport England, and the Academy of Sustainable Communities, and two central government departments (Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Communities and Local Government department) launched an eight point action plan to bring the benefits of culture and sport to communities at the Thames Gateway Forum at the Excel centre last week.  

Living Places will help realise people’s aspirations by helping house builders, planners and all those helping to shape places by building in high quality sporting and cultural facilities from the start.  

Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, said:
“Culture and sport are engaging and powerful instruments for building places that are vibrant and exciting - where people will choose to live.  Good design that builds on local history creates character. Playing football in the park, joining a library and watching a local play reinforce our sense of community.  Living Places shows how these sporting and cultural elements can be combined to build desirable communities in the Thames Gateway and beyond.”

 

Stephen Castle, Chair of the East of England Regional Sports Board, also presented at the launch and later that day presented details of the proposed Basildon Sports Village at the Thames Gateway Forum.

 

For more information click here 

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Partnering the Third Sector

On Tuesday 27^th November the Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Competitiveness delivered a speech to the National CSR Conference regarding the benefits of corporate responsibility.

 

Corporate Responsibility is the idea of businesses partnering with the third sector – with clear social and environmental gains. Social gains through employment for unemployed young people and good quality equipment for hard pressed non-profit organisations serving their communities. Environmental gains through avoiding the dumping in landfill of thousands of tons of furniture.

 

He outlined how the modern corporate responsibility movement is highly creative – especially when, it entails partnering with the third sector. This is why he is working with Phil Hope at the Office for the Third sector in the Cabinet Office to ensure they provide all the support they can to social entrepreneurs as well as to other entrepreneurs. Their Enterprise Directorate will continue to work with the Office of the Third Sector to deliver the help that’s needed.

 

Their aim is that private and public sector organisations should take account of their economic, social and environmental impact, and to take action to address them, drawing upon their own expertise and resources.

He mentioned the breakfast on the 24th July that the Prime Minister hosted for City leaders to explore new ways in which they might utilise the particular talents and expertise in the financial services sector to help address key social challenges and strengthen leadership in the third sector. The challenge was to move beyond old models where financial experts spend a day painting the walls in a community centre, to harnessing their professional expertise for social and environmental goals.

The ultimate goal is to harness the highest level corporate expertise for social and environmental goals.

Corporate Responsibility is becoming very important within businesses as pressure is put on them by their employees and customers.  Sport has the potential to benefit from corporate responsibility.  Initiatives such as volunteer coaching and sponsoring community sports teams and facilities in disadvantaged areas are examples of this.

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House of Lords

Conservatives - Hunt comments on resignation of Sport England chairman

Thu, 29 November 2007 | Political Party Press Release

Summary

Jeremy Hunt, Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary, has commented on the resignation of Sports England chairman, Derek Mapp.
Mr Hunt said:
 'This resignation shows that after a decade of slashing lottery funding for grassroots sport, government policy is still failing to get a grip in the run up to 2012. Obesity is rising, competitive sport in schools is declining and lottery funding for community sports has plummeted. We've long called for Sport England to focus on sport itself and we're delighted that the Government has adopted another one of our policies. But when will the government offer us a positive vision rather than yet more chaos?'

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House of Commons -
MPs debate Women's and Girls' Football

Tue, 4 December 2007 | Debate - Adjournment and GeneralSummary

More can be done to improve access to women's football, Gerry Sutcliffe told MP's today in a debate on the subject.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, felt that the treatment of England's women's football team was a scandal and that they could have enjoyed a wonderful opportunity by competing at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

There was a massive opportunity ahead, he felt, as women's football was growing in popularity after huge progress in the past decade. A partnership between the FA, Tesco and the national sports foundation served to increase investment and improve facilities for women's football, including the first Tesco skills centre for girls, he disclosed.

He criticised the other home nations of the UK for refusing to let England's women represent the UK at the Olympics and stressed the importance of resolving such issues for London 2012. Moreover, the majority of world cup stars had ended up losing money in order to take part, which Mr Sutcliffe felt was lamentable.

Sport could be a route away from problems, he continued, and women's football was a good example of this. The FA was committed to increasing the number of teams and providing greater resources to the women's game, he stressed.

Opening the debate, Labour MP and former Sports Minister Richard Caborn stressed that many found their way back into society through sports, especially football. He felt that the professional side of the game had not served women's football well and called for the policy to be revisited.

He noted the frustration of the English coach that, having qualified for the Olympics, they would be denied a place at the tournament by internal politics and criticised the 'blazers' that had made Britain the laughing stock of women's sport.

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Southworth - Football Development (Schools)

Mon, 3 December 2007 | House of Commons - Written AnswerContents

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Children, Schools and Families on football development in (a) primary schools and ( b) secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. [170104]

Mr. Sutcliffe: On 21 November 2007, our Secretary of State and Kevin Brennan, Parliamentary Under-secretary of State at the DCSF, chaired a seminar with governing bodies and school sport associations, including the Football Association and the English Schools Football Association, to develop our plans to increase competitive sporting opportunities for children and young people and create world class junior competition structures in both schools and clubs.

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House of Lords

Addington - Obesity (Departmental Responsibilities)

Thu, 29 November 2007 | House of Lords - Oral Question

The following questions regarding obesity were answered by Government spokesperson Baroness Royall of Blaisdon.Contents

Lords Answer - 29 Nov 07
Health: Obesity
11.15 am
Lord Addington asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which government department holds responsibility for issues concerning obesity.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, tackling obesity is a cross-government responsibility led by the Department of Health. Childhood obesity is the joint responsibility of the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, as signalled by the new public service agreement to improve the health and well-being of children and young people. The Secretary of State for Health is developing a comprehensive cross-government strategy on obesity, facilitated by a cross-governmental ministerial group.
Lord Addington: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Is there any plan to give absolute authority to the Department of Health to ensure that things like recreational physical activity are made more readily available in any new planning? If not, why not? We have just heard that obesity is apparently a greater threat to us than global warming.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, the Secretary of State for Health is taking the lead. The Foresight report provided us with a catalyst and there is absolute determination that our cross-departmental work will bring forward results. The strategy will be available in the very near future and I am confident that the Secretary of State for Health will be determined in his leadership.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: My Lords, I speak as a member of the All-Party Group on Obesity. Why is it that in central London you can hardly find a thinly-sliced or medium-sliced loaf of bread to buy, and any sandwich you buy in any supermarket is now made with thick bread? While the House of Lords continues to use medium-sliced-and very nice-bread in its sandwiches, even the House of Commons has moved to thick bread. Surely at a time when we want to reduce people's consumption, there should be more pressure from the Food Standards Agency, or one of the many departments the Minister speaks about, to take us back to normal-sized bread instead of these super-sized sandwiches.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, that is an interesting and important point, but it is not really a matter for the Government. We would be accused of being a nanny state if the Government started to pronounce on these issues.
Baroness Coussins: My Lords, what progress has been achieved so far by the physical education in schools initiative? What advice is given to schools to stop children being able to abandon PE after the end of year 9?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, I am pleased to report that 86 per cent of schoolchildren now do at least two hours of quality sport a week. That is one of the results of the programme. I recognise that there is a lot more to be done, and we aim to offer every child and young person the chance of five hours' sport a week by 2011.
Baroness Howe of Idlicote: My Lords, is the Minister satisfied that the restriction on advertising foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fats are sufficient to achieve what the majority of people in this House and elsewhere would like to be achieved?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: No, my Lords, I am not satisfied. The rules on advertising to children have got a lot better. From January onwards, adverts during television programmes of particular appeal to children under 16 will not be allowed. However, we believe that we must move forward, and we need a ban on all high-fat, salty and sugary foods before the 9 pm watershed.
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall: My Lords, I accept that obesity is a serious problem, but is my noble friend satisfied that the current measure of obesity, the BMI, is a sufficiently flexible and precise indicator of obesity in relation to health?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, there is much discussion about measurements of obesity. We believe that the current BMI measure is the best one we have at the moment, but we are looking at that.
Baroness Tonge: My Lords, does the Minister agree that people have always loved to eat junk food, whether it was bread and dripping and iced buns in my day or, nowadays, the dreaded burger? Does she also agree that people who are overweight and heavy but very fit are not necessarily obese?
Noble Lords: Oh!
Baroness Tonge: My Lords, I thought that would please your Lordships. To go back to my noble friend's original point, it is terribly important that the Government encourage exercise in all forms.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Yes, my Lords. One of the problems is that we are no longer hunter-gatherers. Our lifestyle has changed; the society in which we live has changed; we must change our culture. That must mean more sport, more exercise and looking at our built environment.
The Countess of Mar: My Lords, the Minister said that various factors may contribute to obesity. In light of the fact that many infants who do not rely on exercise and who do not necessarily eat chips and bread and butter are becoming grossly overweight, will she consider the contribution that the huge number of new chemicals to which we have been exposed during the past 40 years may have made to creating genetic alterations before children are born?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, that is a very interesting point which I shall take back to the department. We have to prevent young infants becoming obese. It is adults who buy their children's food. Therefore, we have to target adults as well as young infants.
Earl Howe: My Lords-

Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe: My Lords-
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): My Lords, there have been no Labour speakers on this Question. It should be the Labour side.
Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe: My Lords, will the strategy that is about to be concluded look at the underutilisation of resources available in gyms in the private sector? Will the Government explore the possibility of using those resources for schools, possibly in collaboration with the Youth Justice Board, as a means of getting some young people out of criminality and into exercise and a better life?
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My Lords, if the strategy was not going to consider that before the noble Lord's question, I can assure him that it will do so now.

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Mike Diaper’s Presentation at the School and Sport Partnerships Conference

Mike Diaper made a speech at the Youth Sport Trust School and Sport Partnerships' Conference on the 29 Oct 2007 about the success of Sport England in getting more young people into sport. To read the speech please click here.

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West Midlands Regional Observatory skills research

RSP Raising aspirations: Attitudes, motivation & barriers to engagement in learning, skills and employment amongst disadvantaged groups and communities. Click here to view the executive report.

WMRO

Society, demography & health bulletin – December 2007 - click here to view.

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2012 IOC 

Click here to view Jacques Rogge's article re costs.

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2012 Activity calendar

A note from LOCOG:

You could send any events that you would like us to include on this calendar to nick.king@london2012.com

Please remember that this activity calendar attached is circulated to a very wide range of stakeholders - from the ODA, Government Departments to the IOC and NGBs. We are therefore only seeking to reflect major events that are of potential interest to the majority of the stakeholders.

Click here for the latest edition.

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Youth Olympics
Click here for information on the Youth Olympics (2010).
 

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Special Olympics Great Britain

National Development Office & SOGB Promotions Ltd – new address

WE HAVE MOVED to:

Corinthian House
1^st Floor
6 – 8 Great Eastern Street
London EC2A 3NT

Tel: 020 7247 8891
Fax: 020 7247 2393

Please pass this message to your athletes, coaches, members & colleagues

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CCPR Policy Update

Click here to read December's issue.

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New to the Promoting Sport Toolkit

A new series of simple, step-by-step how-to guides have been added to the Promoting Sport toolkit.  They can save you time and make life easier when you need to promote sport. 

The guides cover advertising, direct mail, media, branding, technology based tools, design agencies and plain English.

Sign up to the Promoting Sport blog and we’ll let you know when the toolkit is updated and improved, and also send you useful tips about promoting sport.

Sport England has created this free, easy-to use Promoting Sport Toolkit designed to help clubs, sports development officers and volunteers promote their sport or activities.

 

The toolkit is designed to help anyone working in sport – paid or unpaid - produce high quality campaigns and marketing material such as posters, leaflets and flyers that can be used to promote sport.

The Toolkit includes:

• Over 500 community sport photos
  
• Guides on how to use different promotional techniques including direct mail, press, advertising, and events
  
• Advice on how to target specific audiences
  
• A calendar of sporting events and campaigns throughout the year

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with 70% of users describing the Toolkit as good or great. In fact Magdalen Park Lawn Tennis Club in London, said:

"We think this toolkit will prove really useful. It will make it much easier for sports clubs like ours to promote themselves better and attract new members. The photography and how-to guides will help save time, money and effort - which is great!"

But we want to make it even better, so please get in touch with any suggestions, ideas or feedback you have.

The Promoting Sport Toolkit is a completely free resource. So all we are asking you to do is pass on information – and the web address where it can be accessed – to your network of Community Sport Networks, clubs, volunteers, sports development officers and anyone else who delivers sport in your area.

The Promoting Sport Toolkit is available online here.

If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback on the content, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Jason Britton
Tel. 01785 619599
Email. jbritton@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

The date and venue for the 2008 Special Schools Sports Festival has been confirmed for Wednesday 2^nd July at Shobnall Leisure Complex, Burton upon Trent.

The date was chosen so that it ties in with the Youth Sport Trust’s National School Sport week, which starts on Monday 30^th June 2008. Dame Kelly Holmes, the National School Sport Champion, is championing this week.

The Special Schools Sports festival organised by Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) continues to go from strength to strength and will be in its seventh year in 2008.

Last year over 240 pupils from 11 of the county’s Special Schools participated and we are hoping to build on this for the 2008 event.

On the day, pupils took part in coaching sessions and mini competitions in variety of sports, which will be confirmed in early 2008.

This year we hope to be able to follow up the event with the provision of coaching in some of the special schools to build upon the interest generated at the festival and hopefully work with sports clubs to develop pathways for pupils to continue to participate in sport outside the school environment.

To aid this transition from school to community and as part of SASSOT’s Equity Plan we will also be producing a Disability Sports Directory.

Further details will be circulated shortly, but for all queries please contact:

Chris Turner
SASSOT Club & PESSCL Development Officer
Tel: 01785 619681
Email: cturner@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

 

Cannock Council’s Sports Development Team have worked closely with a number of partners to help set up a Special Needs Football Club at the Chase Leisure Centre.

Open to young people (8-16 years) with Special Needs, members are attracted from the district’s two Special Schools and mainstream education.  The club was recently launched with an open day at the Chase Leisure Centre, where a coaching session was put on.  While students at Hednesford Valley High School were asked to come up with some design ideas for a new strip.

Funding has been received from the Community and Learning Partnership and SASSOT's Access ACROSS Staffordshire fund. This has been used to help support the purchase of equipment, hire of facilities and coach development.

For further details and bookings contact:

Debbie Pearce
Community Recreation Officer
Tel: 01543 425996
Email: deborahpearce@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

 

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A grant of £500 towards the cost of coaching the young people at the club was awarded from SASSOT's Access ACROSS Staffordshire fund.

Closing date for applications is 4 February 2008.

 

 

Cannock Chase District Council’s ‘Chase It’ programme went forward as the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CSP representative for the BBC Midlands Power of Sport Award earlier this month.


The project, which was one of six nominated by SASSOT’s Community Sports Networks, was chosen to attend the glitzy BBC Midlands Sports Awards ceremony held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on Sunday 2^nd December.


Steve Town, Regional Director, Sport England commented: “Through this new award, sponsored by Sport England in the West Midlands, recognition is being given to the community benefits achieved by 6 nominated sports projects. I congratulate all partners who work to deliver this outstanding community sports project, identified by Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as an excellent example of how sport can make a difference to local communities. Removing the barriers to access sport is critical and this project demonstrates how it can be achieved.

‘Chase It’, which was first introduced by Cannock Chase District Council’s Sports Development Team in July 2003, is a young person’s activity programme aimed at tackling a range of social issues through the medium of sport and active recreation. The project benefits from funds awarded by a number of local partners including the Community and Learning Partnership, the Children’s Fund, the local authority, the Lottery and also recently received an award from SASSOT’s own Access ACROSS Staffordshire fund.

Over recent years, ‘Chase It’ has worked closely with South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust to help deliver a healthy lifestyle message to all children who take part in the wide range of activities including trampolining, biking and sports coaching sessions, particularly targeted at young people with a range of access issues.

Pictured above: Jason Britton presents Cllr Mick Grocott with the certificate in the presence of members of Cannock Chase District Council's Sports Development Team who deliver the 'Chase It' programme.

SASSOT’s Business Development Manager Jason Britton, seen above presenting a certificate recognising Chase It’s nomination for the Power of Sport Award to Councillor Mick Grocott, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at Cannock Chase District Council said, “We received six excellent nominations from our sub-region to represent Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for the award, but our judging panel scored Chase It very highly on the key areas of partnership working and community engagement and we congratulate the team for all their hard work in making the project such a success.”

 

The Chase It team also received an extra boost this week with the announcement that they had been awarded almost £200,000 from the Children’s Fund to continue to deliver their outstanding work.

For more information contact:
Jason Britton
Business Development Manager
Tel: 01785 619349
Email: jbritton@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

 

A celebration to mark the installation of the roof at the new Rugeley swimming pool hall was held by Cannock Chase Council and its partners on Friday 14 December.

A ceremony traditionally takes place when the roof is put on a new building. Councillor Ray Easton, the Chairman of Cannock Chase District Council, laid a block and two young swimmers, Peter Sullivan from Chase Swimming Club, and Thomas Bourne from Phoenix Youth Swimming Club, switched on the lights on the Christmas tree on the roof of the new pool. The Christmas tree represented the piece of foliage that, since Viking times, has been placed on the roof of new buildings to bring good luck.

Pictured above: Cllr Ray Easton with Peter Sullivan from Chase Swimming Club, and Thomas Bourne from Phoenix Youth Swimming Club

 

The Topping Off ceremony also saw a piece of the new pool hall laid by Cannock Chase Council Chairman Cllr Ray Easton.

Pictured above: Cannock Chase Council Chairman, Cllr Ray Easton lays a brick of the new pool hall.

Over 60 guests attended the event and included dignitaries from Cannock Chase Council, Staffordshire County Council, Sport England, Hagley Park Sports College, Fair Oak Business and Enterprise College, Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent partnership, SMC Charter Architects, GF Tomlinson Building Ltd and local sports and community groups.

The £4.25 million project includes the new 25 metre, six lane swimming pool and extended fitness suite. Last month Government agency Sport England presented the Council with a cheque for £500,000 towards the facility.

Cannock Chase Council Chairman Cllr Ray Easton, who hosted the event, said: “The new facilities will be open to the public by the end of the spring which is exciting news for everyone.

“Rugeley will have a new swimming pool as well as an extended fitness suite. This will be a welcome addition to what is already a fantastic leisure centre.

“Swimming is an inclusive activity which sees all members of the community able to take part in a physical activity.

“This has truly been a team effort and all of the partners involved have worked tremendously hard to get to this stage.”

For more information contact:

Tom Hobbins
PR Officer
Cannock Chase Council
Tel: 01543 464495
Mob: 07837 200286
tomhobbins@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

 

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Norton Canes has just opened its new children's facility called Unit 13. It is part funded by the Parish Council for the next three years. It has sports facilities for 5-a-side football, netball and basketball.

The new unit will be managed by Koncas, the children's group. It was recognised early on that to be self-supporting it had to be opened up to other age groups.

For further enquiries or to make a booking ring:

The local Parish Office between 10.00am to 4.00pm on 01543 276812 or
June Davies on 01543 275032
Pauline Stabler on 01543 270502

 

 

 

A course of Cook and Eat sessions proved to be a huge success for eight Stafford families. Three weekly sessions were organised for families selected on the Life Bites family health project, led by Clare Newton from Stafford Borough Council’s Sports Development Team.

 

Life Bites is funded by the Children’s Fund, which was set up to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people nationally by providing increased and better services for them.

The Cook and Eat sessions took place at Stafford Sports College on Monday evenings throughout November, the idea was to provide the families with an opportunity to prepare and cook a tasty healthy meal together and then to sit down as a group to enjoy the food. Throughout the course the menu included; tuna pasta bake, chicken wrap with roasted vegetables and pesto and vegetable curry and rice. Low budget ingredients were supplied for the families emphasising that healthy food does not have to be expensive. 
 

The families took key messages from the sessions such as improved food and cookery skills, healthier eating, budgeting, food hygiene and safety. The feedback from the families was extremely positive with a few asking ‘when will the next course be’? All families received a certificate at the end of the course congratulating them on their efforts in taking steps to improve their family's eating habits.

For more information contact:

Clare Newton
Sports Development Team
Tel: 01785 619308
Email: cnewton@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

 

 

Stafford Borough Council have had great success with their 5-Alive project that they are running in conjunction with The Children’s Fund.  The project offers children a chance to access a variety of activities and sports to encourage them to take part in physical activity.  Many of the children involved in the project do not usually participate in sport.

  

Stafford Borough Council in partnership with the Children’s Fund have been running a project called 5-Alive.  The aim is to promote sport and physical activity which is being delivered through activities such as Brazilian football, dancing and bouncy castles.

There are five schools involved in the project, which have been targeted as ones that can increase their physical activity levels.
 

In each school, 5-Alive focuses on a year group that do not have any extra curricular activities available to them. The children are given the opportunity to decide what activities they would like to do as suggestion boxes and notice boards are displayed in each of the schools.

There are currently around 80 children a week who regularly attend the 5-Alive sessions and many of these, are children who don’t usually participate in sport or physical activity.

For more information contact:
Kath Fenn
Sports Development Officer
Tel: 01785 619515
Email: kfenn@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

The Stafford Half Marathon, organised by the Leisure Services Team at Stafford Borough Council, is once again set to draw record numbers into the town.

The route of the 2008 event which will take place on Sunday 16^th March, covers an undulating circuit of 13.1 miles around Stafford.  Leaving Stafford town along the Lichfield Road, runners will then head out towards Milford, then on to Tixall Obelisk, down St Thomas Lane, Weston Road and Beaconside Road, along the disused railway line, through Doxey, into Victoria Park and then back into town. 

Last Year, entry numbers reached capacity for the first time since the current route has been in place, and runners are pre warned that this year, there will be NO ON THE DAY ENTRIES.  You can download an entry form now at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/halfmarathon, so get your entry in early this year in order to guarantee your place.

 

The School and Family Fun Run, taking place on the same day, covers a two-lap circuit of Stafford Town Centre.  This event saw 900 entrants in 2007, and with sports continuing to creep ever higher on the school agenda, that figure is set to rise once again! 

 

“According to recent figures, some 81% of pupils now take part in at least two hours of high quality physical education and out of hours school sport in a typical week in Stafford, and the Fun Run offers just the stage for these kids to show us what it’s all about,” said Sam Ferguson, Marketing Coordinator for Leisure Services.  “The purpose of the Fun Run is to promote a Community Event, in which all members of the family can participate, either as an entrant or spectator”.

 

March 16^th also sees the Stafford Junior Mile, targeted at under 18s who can run the mile in less than 8 minutes (max 100 entrants).

 

The Junior Mile starts at 10:00am, the Half Marathon starts at 10:30am (with handcyclists departing 5 minutes earlier), and the Fun Run starts at 10:45am.  By time the first Half Marathon runners return into Stafford Town Centre's Market Square, the Fun Run will have completed.  With all events starting and finishing in the Market Square, there is a fantastic atmosphere in the town.

 

If you wish to raise money for Charity, but don’t have a specific charity in mind, consider supporting The Mayor of Stafford Borough’s Charity appeal, which is looking to raise funds in aid of the Breast Care Counselling Unit at Stafford General Hospital, and for the Oak Tree Farm Rural Project.  For more information on either of these appeals, please contact the Mayor’s Secretary on 01785 619228.

 

If anyone has any questions regarding the event itself, or would simply like advice on your training programme, please contact Clare Newton, Athletics Development Officer on 01785 619308, or email cnewton@staffordbc.gov.uk.  You can also find more information by logging on to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/halfmarathon.  Entry forms are now available to pick up or download.

 

Half Marathon Entry Fees

• £12.70 (if affiliated to a UK Athletics Running Club)
• £14.70 (all other entries)

Cheques payable to 'Stafford Borough Council'

Closing Date for entries is Friday 7th March 2008.  Online payment available until 29^th February 2008 www.staffordbc.gov.uk/halfmarathon

 

Fun Run Entry Fees

• Family/Group Entry Fee (No more than 4 per team) £8
• Individual or School entrant outside Stafford Borough - £3.70 per person
• Stafford Borough School Entries (Pre-Entrants, aged 4 to 18 years and still in full time education in Stafford Borough) - No Charge

Cheques payable to 'Stafford Borough Council'

Pre-entry is advised, as there is a surcharge of £2 on the day

Closing date for pre-entries is Friday, 7th March 2008.  Online payment available until 29^th February 2008 www.staffordbc.gov.uk/funrun 

  

Junior Mile Entry Fees

• Entry will cost £5.70

Cheques payable to 'Stafford Borough Council'

All runners must pre register due to the use of Chip Timing for this event.

Closing date entry is Friday, 7th March 2008.  Online payment available until 29^th February 2008 www.staffordbc.gov.uk/juniormile.

 

For more information contact:

Sam Ferguson
Marketing Coordinator for Leisure Services
Tel: 01785 619354
Email: sferguson@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

From September to December Netball clubs from within Staffordshire have been competing against each other in the County Junior League to win a place at Regional level, which takes place at the University of Wolverhampton from January until April.

36 teams have this year taken part in the county junior league, over 3 age groups, U12, U14 and U16. However, only the U14 and U16 age groups play at regional level. Two clubs from each of these 2 age groups can be promoted into the regional league and to decide this, play offs were arranged and took place on 8^th December 2007 at Northwood Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent.

There were some extremely close fought matches and some excellent talent shown by youngsters on the day. There were plenty of nerves in the first 15 minutes displayed by all clubs however, from then on an excellent morning of Netball was displayed to all spectators, coaches and umpires. In the U14 section the 2 teams who will be playing at a regional level after Christmas are Newcastle Town NC and Tean Valley NC. Furthermore, in the U16 age group Fenton Manor NC and Newcastle Town NC won their matches and they to will be making the trip to Wolverhampton University starting the 6^th January 2008.

The County League will begin again in January for the remaining 32 teams to battle it out for the winning trophy at Easter time.

We wish all representing Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent a successful and enjoyable time playing at this prestigious level.

For more information on Netball leagues within the county and how to enter a junior team contact:

Carly Beach
Netball Development Officer
Tel: 01785 619605/ 07800 619605
Email: cbeach@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

Sport in the future – focus on Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent

 

The City is currently in the process of developing a new Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for 2008 – 2016. As part of this work, the City Council and its key partners have undertaken an extensive amount of consultation with local communities, sports clubs and key organisations across the area.

In support of the City’s objective to increase participation levels in physical activity, a meeting was held between Joan Walley MP, Port Vale Football Club and Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to discuss plans and aspirations for developing sport and recreation in Burslem.

Sport England and Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent, meet Port
Vale and local MP to discuss sport strategy and future development plans.

Pictured above: Left to right, Mark Thornewill, Michelle Adams, Steve Town, Joan Walley MP and Laurence O'Neill

Port Vale Football Club, which already hosts some excellent sports and social facilities, is working with local partners to explore opportunities for developing community recreation.

Further details, about these plans and other key developments for sport's facilities in the City, will be available in early 2008 when it proposed that the new Sport and Physical Activity Strategy will be completed.

 

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Floor Target Action Planning for Physical Activity in Stoke-on-Trent

Working with the PCT and Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, the City is in the process of developing a Floor Target Action Plan with the aim of increasing participation levels in physical activity across the area.

So far, two physical activity consultation workshops have been held by the City Council and Stoke PCT, both of which have been very well attended by local organisations and key partners.

The City has set a challenging target - by 2012, Stoke-on-Trent will have an adult physical activity participation rate of at least 30%. Participation will be measured by assessing how many adults participate in Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) and are achieving the Chief Medical Officer's Guidelines of at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 or more days of the week. 

There has been a huge amount of enthusiasm shown so far by all those involved in this exciting and very innovative project. It is proposed that this work will completed by March 2008.

For more information on the above contact:

Michelle Adams
Health & Funding Development Manager
Tel: 01782 235029
Email: michelle.adams@stoke.gov.uk

 

 

The newly formed Tamworth Community Sports Network asked all residents of Tamworth to design their future logo. Entrants were encouraged to develop a design that will represent the visions and aspirations of the Sports Network. After many entries from all areas of the community the winner, Rebecca Standton, was chosen by the Sports Network Committee. Rebecca is 22 and from Wilnecote in Tamworth, she is currently attending Derby University studying Graphic Design.

“I wanted the design to be simple and friendly logo that will appeal to all and contain various sports. The green element of the logo represents good health.”

“I entered this competition as I recognised it was a good initiative to be involved with and to have on my portfolio. I’m absolutely delighted to have won, never thought I would.”

As a prize for winning the competition Rebecca has won £150, her winning logo will be used in the branding for initiatives that will be taking place over the coming years.

To recognise this achievement the Mayor of Tamworth, Councillor Mick Oakes congratulated Rebecca, also in attendance was Brian Broughton, MBE Events Co-ordinator for ASDA and member of the Community Sports Network group.

Pictured above: Mayor of Tamworth, Councillor Mick Oakes, Rebecca Standton and Brian Broughton, MBE

Background

The National framework for Sport identified that at a local level there was a need for all clubs and local partnerships to ‘take the lead’ in overseeing the strategic planning for structured sport, physical education, lifelong learning through sport, and informal recreation activities. The Borough of Tamworth now has in place an executive board to deliver this plan with other local interest parties, this executive board is committed to driving the sport and physical activity agenda forward in the Tamworth. It is envisaged that the Community Sports Network Board will enable sport and leisure activities in Tamworth to develop whilst supporting all local clubs and groups ensuring that leisure is accessible to all in Tamworth.

The board, currently working together with Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent County Sport Partnership consists of:-

• Tamworth Borough Council
• Volunteer Centre Tamworth
• ASDA
• South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust
• Sporting Club Tamworth
• Extended Schools / Community and Learning Partnership
• Staffordshire County Council
• Staffordshire Police
• School Sports Partnerships
• Age Concern South Staffordshire

Neil Mason
Facilities Manager
Tel: 01827 709568
Email: neil-mason@tamworth.gov.uk

 

The Big Lottery Fund is playing Santa by delivering a giant Christmas play gift for children across Staffordshire.
 
The fund unwrapped £9.2 million in funding for the West Midlands region that will transform play facilities for children of all ages. It includes an award of more than £700,000 for Walsall, and £669,000 for Stoke-on-Trent. The West Midlands lottery good causes awards go to 19 projects focusing on providing safe, quality play opportunities for children.

Big Lottery Fund Head of West Midlands Region John Taylor announced the December awards from BIG’s £124 million Children’s Play programme: “This is great Christmas news for our children. The Fund recognises the health, well-being and fitness opportunities that good play facilities can bring – we want to help move children in to safe and imaginative play surroundings. And we also want to encourage communities to recognise the value and benefits of play for their children, and to ensure that everyone, including those with disabilities can enjoy these facilities.”

He added: “The West Midlands have done brilliantly to secure this funding for the region. Play helps build healthy bodies and can open the door to fitness and future sporting interests. I am sure parents across the region will be delighted.”

Kids in Stoke-on-Trent will have a ball this New Year when a grant of £669,565 is rolled-out to Stoke-on-Trent City Council enabling them to develop a wide range of play facilities for children across the city.

The council’s play programme aims to provide safer neighbourhoods for children to play in, as well as encouraging greater tolerance in communities; the scheme will also include a specialist playground for children with disabilities, as well as play provision for children from particularly disadvantaged communities.

Stoke’s Mayor, Mark Meredith said today: “I am absolutely delighted that our city has won this award.  The City Council is a great champion of equality and diversity, and making sure that every person living here is given the opportunity to live their life to the full.

“Children's play is vital for their development and for learning socialising skills.  This award will help us move forward at a faster pace in our delivery of excellent services, particularly for those who are disadvantaged in any way. I would like to personally thank all those involved in putting together the bid for funding, and the Big Lottery for responding so generously.”

Other Children’s Play awards announced in Staffordshire on 18 Dec 07 were:

Stafford Borough Council, Stafford Borough Children and Young People's Play Portfolio - £216,755

Lichfield District Council, The Playful District - £200,000

South Staffordshire District Council, South Staffordshire Play Partnership - £199,757

Cannock Chase District Council, Cannock Chase Play Portfolio – 'CHASE IT - PLAY' - £219,949

East Staffordshire Borough Council, Play East Staffordshire - £242,047

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Newcastle Play Strategy – Make Way for Play - £245,371