'Next Stop' for Clubs

Sports clubs are a vital part of the local community and many
are run by volunteers – people dedicating their time freely for the benefit of others. They are
often a focal point of activity and local pride, involving people of all ages in a range of
activities.

Through the Sports Train programme, help is available for local clubs to increase
standards and gain new skills and knowledge. Your club may be able to use Sports Train to learn how
to attract a wider membership base, to assess the promotional opportunities and requirements of your
club or to build volunteer planning and management into your club’s structures.

Nearly half of
all children and young people are members of sports clubs outside school (Young People and Sport
National Survey 1999) and it is important that these clubs serve young people well.  The
reasons for this include:

• Ensuring the well-being of young people whilst in the care of
  Adults
• Enthusing young people to enjoy sport and active recreation to build a healthy
  lifestyle
• Enabling young people to use their leisure time creatively
• Developing
  young people’s talents
• Identifying and developing the most talented young
  people.

With this in mind Sport England has designed ‘Clubmark’ which is a best practice
guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for clubs working with
young people.  As a benchmark of quality it will improve the playing experience for
all.

By achieving accreditation the club will be recognised and promoted as a Clubmark club
thereby giving it cross-sport recognition and status as a quality club. Clubs will be identified as
having achieved Clubmark status on a national database and other forms of club directories and will
be able to promote this locally.