Over 10,000 sports clubs achieve Clubmark status

 

Sport England's Clubmark scheme, which recognises sports clubs that create safe, high-quality and welcoming environments for young people, has achieved its 2012 goal to accredit 10,000 clubs,
13 months ahead of schedule.

 

Introduced in 2002, Clubmark recognises the role sports clubs play in encouraging young people to take up sport, learn new skills, fulfil their potential and maintain lifelong participation.

 

It recognises best-practice and compliance with minimum operating standards in:

• Club management
• Safeguarding and protecting children and young people
• Creating the right combination of coaching, training and competition
• Promoting a child-friendly culture

Sport across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) is working with sports organisations and local councils to encourage more clubs to raise standards and join.  So far, 245 clubs across 28 sports are now accredited within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and are reaping tangible benefits such as increased participation, support developing coaches and volunteers, and improved links with schools.  

SASSOT’S Club Development Manager, Chris Turner, said: "In our drive to get more children and young people playing sport both in the run up to 2012 and beyond, we need to ensure that the places where they play are safe and welcoming, and offer high-quality experiences that encourage them to keep taking part."

Parents looking for quality clubs, whatever sport, are likely to seek out the accredited clubs awarded the Clubmark status. Clubs awarded Clubmark can be proud of what they have achieved. Parents can be assured that their children belong to a safer club. Members can be sure their club is a well-managed club, striving to offer the best in coaching and sports development. By striving to achieve higher standards clubs are likely to attract more members and build a sustainable future. 

 

The goal is for every club in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to reach higher standards of safety, fairness, coaching and management. That way the sub-region's sports club infrastructure will be safer, stronger and more successful.

 

Find out more about Clubmark at www.clubmark.org.uk.

 

Chris Turner
Club Development Manager
T: 01785 619681 
E: cturner@staffordbc.gov.uk