County Sports Partnership Update

Spring Term the best yet for Sport Unlimited

Through the Sport Unlimited programme, young people from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been given the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports. The programme targets ‘semi sporty’ young people, and offers them the chance to attend an 8-10 week block of sessions introducing them to a new sport or giving them the chance to improve their skills in something they’ve already tried and enjoyed. Activities are selected based on consultation with young people, and include some of the more non-traditional sports such as handball, dodgeball and American football.

The three-year programme has just finished its second year, and the spring term has been the most successful by far. 4379 young people attended courses, with 3333 or 76% being ‘retained’, meaning they attended at least 60% of the sessions. Since the start of the programme, nearly 10,000 young people have been retained in their projects, and with a similar number due to be retained during Year Three, the programme is having a huge impact on young people who wouldn’t normally participate in sport outside of the school environment.

SU Logo1

At a local level, the programme is co-ordinated by either the School Sport Partnership or the Local Authority, who are responsible for ensuring that what they offer is what young people want, and for engaging with other local organisations to deliver activity. Funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has recently been confirmed for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s Year Three Delivery Plan, bringing a further £300,000 into the sub-region. Activity has just got underway for the Summer Term and, judging by feedback so far, this year promises to be even more successful than last year.

Jane Kracke
Sports Manager
T: 01785 619187
E: jkracke@staffordbc.gov.uk

Launch of the 2nd year SASSOT Club Action Plan

SASSOT’s Executive Board officially signed off the 2nd year Club Support Action Plan at their Executive Board meeting on the 19th May 2010.

Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent recognise that sports clubs are at the heart of the future development of sport in the country, we therefore dedicate a lot of time and effort into the development and support of our sports clubs.

One of the key elements in supporting participation in sport is building a quality club infrastructure across the sub-region whilst improving and developing the capacity for sports clubs to attract new members.

SASSOT aim to enhance the support network available to sports clubs and develop dynamic, coordinated and sustainable networks of high quality clubs providing sporting opportunities for all in partnership with National Governing Bodies of Sport.

Objectives of the Club Support Action Plan

To further build and support a network of active, accessible and accredited clubs
To develop the club/volunteer infrastructure and enhance the support network available to sports clubs/volunteers
To develop a planned and coordinated programme of club/volunteer education and training opportunities
To increase the number of sports clubs receiving investment support, accessing external funding and developing sustainable clubs
To support NGBs in delivering increases in people's satisfaction with the quality of sport experience (in line with SE 2008-11 strategy)

For further information and to view a copy of the new action plan, please visit http://www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk/Clubs

Chris Turner
Club Development Manager
T: 01785 619681
M: 07800 619681
E: cturner@staffordbc.gov.uk

Further funding available for coaching and officiating qualifications

Since its introduction in 2008 the SASSOT Coach Scholarship Scheme has provided £33,000 to support over 400 coaches and officials gain new qualifications. SASSOT is delighted to announce that an additional £20,000 has been secured to support this scheme over the next financial year.

The maximum grant that can be applied for per organisation is £2,000 based on SASSOT funding up to 50% or £300 per qualification, whichever comes first. Applications need to come via the National Governing Body, local authority or the school sport partnership. The closing date for the first round of applications is the 9^th July.

Funding is only available for coaching and officiating qualifications with the priority this year being supporting coaches achieving Level 2 and Level 3 UKCC qualifications. Further information is available on the website or you can speak to Ben Hollands on 01785 619317.

Ben Holland
Workforce Development Manager
T: 01785 619317
E: bhollands@staffordbc.gov.uk

SASSOT Sports Club Accreditation funding – 4th Round Open

The SASSOT Sports Club Accreditation funding scheme was launched in September 2009 with the aim to increase the number of sports clubs being accredited or re-accredited with Clubmark, NGB Accreditation or the SASSOT QualityMark.

Evidence collected suggests that accredited clubs have, over the past two years, increased junior participation, raised the number of active, qualified coaches and improved levels of coach qualification, thus making them more effective and sustainable community sports clubs.

So far £12,256.50 has been distributed to help over 44 sports clubs achieve club accreditation/re-accreditation. (Please click on the ‘how to apply’ web-link below to see which clubs have been awarded funding).

The 4^th Round is now open and funding is available to sports clubs who require financial assistance to achieve and pass their accreditation criteria although the funding cannot be used for NGB coaching qualifications.

All sports clubs benefiting from this funding must be based within Staffordshire or Stoke on Trent to qualify and commit to achieving accreditation within 6 months. Applications can only be received from sports clubs, NGBs, Local Authority or SSP partners. NGB, LA and SSP partners can submit applications for more than one sports club. All applications will be assessed by the SASSOT Workforce Steering Group.

Cottage Farm Rangers FC, Leek Hockey Club, Newcastle (Staffs) ASC, Uttoxeter Uxbridge TTC and Yoxall CC were all successful in securing funding in Round 3 for club accreditation or re-accreditation.

Please click here to find out how to apply.

Applications can only be submitted electronically and the 4^th round of applications must be submitted to Chris Turner by Wednesday 07^th July 2010

Chris Turner
Club Development Manager
T: 01785 619681
M: 07800 619681
E: cturner@staffordbc.gov.uk

Sports Grants and Funding Workshop

Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are running a new Sports and Grants Funding workshop to help to improve sports clubs/organisations chances of securing funds.

Sports Grants and Funding Workshop
(RMS SPORT CONSULTANTS)

RMS Sports Consultants

Cost: £15.00

Every sports club could use more money and better publicity. Help to improve your chances of securing funds.

This is a practical workshop on grants and funding aimed at Sports Club personnel who process grant applications for the development of the Club and its members.

This is a 3-hour workshop which covers the following topics:

An overview of different sports grant aid opportunities
Hint and tips on how to prepare a high quality funding/grant application
Advice given on the supporting information required in the application
How to build a strong case for funding sports related projects and evidencing need
Use of model applications and successful case studies
Tasks will also include areas where individuals can work on their own project ideas

There may be some scope for one to one advice given to each club, but this will depend on the numbers attending the workshop.

(1) Thursday 3^rd June 2010

6.30pm - 9.30pm
STAFFORD

(2) Tuesday 5^th October 2010
6.30pm - 9.30pm

DUDSON, STOKE

To book a place on a workshop please contact Kam Webster, Education & Training Officer on 01785 619695.

Kam Webster
Education & Training Officer
T: 01785 619695
E: kwebster@staffordbc.gov.uk

Safe from harm policy

Assistance is available for any club, community or organisation that do not have a child protection (safe from harm) policy for young people, which includes CRB screening for staff and volunteers.

Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent offer free advice on how to create and implement a policy for your organisation.

Simply visit information on the safeguarding in sport or contact:

Ben Hollands
Workforce Development Manager
T: 01785 619317
E: bhollands@staffordbc.gov.uk

Aiming High: Disability Sport and Physical Activity

Disabilit-e News provides information about what is happening within the county, nationally and in the elite world of disability sport. It will also advertises courses, clubs, events and success stories to motivate and inspire.There is also a dedicated section on Aiming High and the good work it is doing to promote activity based short breaks for disabled children and families.

This publication will be produced twice a month and you can see previous editions and subscribe to receive Disabilit-e News directly on a page of SASSOT's website

If you would rather wait, both publications will be linked to this newsletter each month for you to view.

Mark Fosbrook
Aiming High Disability Sport + Physical
Activity Development Officer
T: 01785 619398
M: 07800 619683
E: mfosbrook@staffordbc.gov.uk

Workshop Programme

There are still places available on the following workshops!!

Reflect and Practice
Tuesday 29 June, Cannock

Summary - Aimed at coaches and those working with children and young people in sport. The workshop acknowledges and values the experience coaches have gained since the last workshop, and builds on the knowledge and insight gained from Safeguarding and Protecting Children.

Most workshops are at a cost of £25.00 each. Please check when booking, but the following workshops are subsidised both held at Stafford Borough Council offices.

Sports Grants and Funding
Thursday 3 June

A practical workshop on grants and funding. Great for those who are in Clubs pursuing grant applications for the development of the Club and its members - cost £15.00 per person.

Role of Volunteer Coordinator
Thursday 10 June
£ FREE

Do not miss an opportunity like this – It's Free – it's about a crucial role of overseeing club volunteers. Clubs will benefit greatly from having a volunteer coordinator - a single contact who supports their volunteers, knows them all by name and what each of them does. In this workshop, volunteers will learn exactly what this role entails and how they can become an even greater asset to their club by taking it on.

For clubs aiming to achieve Clubmark, it is essential for their members to attend the following workshops: Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Equity in Your Coaching, A Club For All and a relevant First Aid qualification.

CANCELLATION TERMS - Please note that delegates must give 5 working days notice prior to the workshop in order to receive a refund. If less notice is given, a refund is not normally granted but an alternative date is offered for the workshop. Alternatively, delegates may transfer their place to another member as long as SASSOT is contacted on the number below prior to the change.

PLEASE NOTE: Dates / venues are subject to change - However, any date changed on the SASSOT website does not mean an immediate change to other websites that display the workshop programme dates above as we do not have the responsibility to change the other websites.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions regarding the Workshop Programme.

Kam Webster
Education and Training Officer
T: 01785 619695
E: kwebster@staffordbc.gov.uk

Get in touch...

Have you planned an event that hasn't been listed on our calendar, then get in touch or simply complete our event template and email it to lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk

Leigh Morton
Admin Officer
T: 01785 619349
E: lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk

Vacancy - Executive Board Member

With us there's more to celebrate

Staffordshire and Stoke-on Trent

County Sports Partnership

‘Increasingly active, healthy and successful communities’

With the Olympics and Paralympics coming to London in 2012, we are building a high-performing team of inspired and influential partners to transform sport, physical education and physical activity across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Recruitment of a Board Member
"Equity Champion"

(Voluntary position, includes expenses only)

We are now looking for a new Board member, with the drive and influence, to take up the challenge of assisting Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to: support our partners in ensuring that Staffordshire is at the forefront of growing regular participation in sport and physical activity, sustain current participants and support those with talent to excel.

The Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership is one of 6 sub-regional County Sports Partnerships within the West Midlands and are one of 49 across England.

You should ideally have knowledge of the sport, health, equity and physical activity agendas, partnership working and the ability and willingness to act as an advocate for this important area of work.

The successful applicant will be expected to take on the Board Champion role relating to the Partnership's work on Equity.

A copy of the Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent's Delivery Plan is available by clicking here.

An application pack can be obtained from Leigh Morton, Admin Officer, Stafford Borough Council. Tel 01785 619349 or email lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk

Closing date: Friday 18 June 2010.

For an informal discussion on the role please contact Mark Thornewill on Tel: 01785 619896.

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent County Sports Partnership are keen to increase the diversity of its members and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

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