County Sports Partnership Update |
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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.
Mark Thornewill, Director |
| 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: |
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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
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
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 4th February 2008 .
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 to read the December edition of the Equality Standard for Sport newsletter.
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
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!
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Sporting Champions can give the young people at your organisation the boost they need to make physical activity a regular part of their lifestyle. |
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To find out more visit
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
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
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
Click here to return to the newsletter