First Multi Sport Disability sport club in Staffordshire to achieve Clubmark accreditation

 

Clubmark is Sport England's national accreditation scheme for high quality junior sports clubs and is awarded to clubs that comply with minimum operating standards in four areas:

• The Playing Programme
• Safeguarding and Protecting Children
• Knowing your Club and its Community
• Club Management

Clubmark stands for higher standards of safety, fairness, coaching and management. That way the nation's sports club infrastructure is safer, stronger and more successful.

 

This means that a club that has been awarded Clubmark has achieved minimum operating standards in safeguarding and protecting children, quality coaching, equal opportunities and good management.

 

In essence, a club that qualifies for Clubmark is a well-run club, which is ACTIVE and ACCESSIBLE, getting the best out of young people and giving everyone a sporting chance.

 

Clubmark provides recognition for high quality clubs. It is important that all clubs should strive to this quality standard. Clubmark is an important club development tool and provides a solid foundation for all clubs wishing to establish a youth structure.

 

Clubs awarded Clubmark can be proud of what they have achieved. They are shown to have a commitment to developing junior sport. 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. 

 

Special Olympics Stafford’s Clive Gibson stated that “a great deal of work went into achieving this status and we believe it represents a positive step forwards for the juniors members in our club”.

 

SASSOT believes "Giving young people the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of participating disability multi-sports as a member of a friendly and supportive club can be a major influence on a young person's development.  Our sports clubs in Staffordshire need to be accessible and welcoming to everyone".

 

Parents looking for quality clubs, whatever sport, are likely to seek out the accredited clubs awarded the Clubmark  status. The accredited clubs, of all sports, will be added to the list on the Sport England Clubmark and SASSOT website. They will be promoted by the Local Authorities in their publications, when approached by parents and with their dealings with schools and colleges looking for clubs for their pupils.

 

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 to reach higher standards of safety, fairness, coaching and management.  That way the sub-regions sports club infrastructure will be safer, stronger and more successful.

 

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