Sports clubs across Dudley are being encouraged to aim high and achieve an official national seal of approval.
Dudley Council’s sport and physical activity section is urging local groups and clubs to gain the Clubmark award and is offering support to help them achieve their goal.
Sport England Clubmark is awarded by national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and county sport partnerships (CSPs) in recognition of a quality club. The national scheme has been in place since 2002 and there are now over 1,250 accredited clubs. It is envisaged that by 2008 this will have increased significantly and that Clubmark will become the quality mark that everyone looks to see attached to a club.
As a single, national standard, Clubmark provides clubs of all kinds with a structure and direction that will benefit them in several ways;
Increasing membership
Being able to demonstrate that a club has addressed issues such as equality and child protection gives confidence to parents choosing a club for their children.
Club development
The foundation for any club is its youth structure. So, by encouraging and attracting young members, it is building a strong future.
Developing coaches and volunteers
As part of the accreditation scheme, a club will be given help and advice to develop the skills of everyone involved.
Raising the profile
Once accredited, a club will be listed on the national database and in other sporting directories. This will help it to attract new members and to grow.
National governing bodies of sport (NGBs)
The national governing bodies of sport currently incorporating Sport England Clubmark in their club accreditation programmes are:
