helpforclubs

Introduction

Club programme and activities

Planning to develop your club

Club development case studies

Juniors

Index of Local Council sports coaching programmes

List of local authorities

Link to local Sports Councils

Club development

Sports Development is: "Ensuring that the pathways and structures are in place to enable people to learn basic skills, participate in sports of their choice, develop their competence and performance and reach levels of excellence". sportscotland

Sports Development is about building partnerships in order to provide appropriate and accessible sporting opportunities for all. The partners involved in sports development range from local authorities, schools (primary and secondary), colleges/ universities, clubs, governing bodies of sport, community clubs and services, leisure centres, specialist sports facilities as well as national organisations such as sportscotland, the Youth Sport Trust and the sports coach UK.

In this section of the website, you'll find links to sub-pages on

1. Developing your club programme and activities
2. Planning for the longer-term development of your club
3. Junior club development
4. Club development case studies.

The case studies illustrate how a range of different sports clubs throughout Scotland have engaged in club development, where they found the funding, what they were seeking to achieve, how they went about it, the problems and pitfalls, and what they finally achieved for their clubs.

Sports development continuum

The Sports Development Continuum is often used to identify the pathways for participants to move through as they progress in sport.

Performance and excellence levels are primarily developed by governing bodies.  Local authorities and school sports associations also provide linnks through to performance levels.  These organisations provide opportunities for representative sport (district, count, regional) leading ultimately to national representation.

"Grass Roots" – local authorities and schools are primarily involved in

introducing young people to sports at foundation and participation

level by providing links with clubs and opportunities for continued

participation after and outside of school.

Sports Development Officers (SDO’s)

SDO’s are employed by local authorities to implement the area’s sports strategies.  There are well established sports coaching and development programmes in sevearl local councils including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Tayside and Highland; you'll find an index of their online information in the right-side panel.

Each SDO is usually responsible for developing a number of focus sports and developing active links with local agencies including clubs, schools, colleges and leisure centres as well as with national organisations. Sports Development Officers are the catalyst for ensuring that quality opportunities are accessible throughout the continuum, from grass roots through to performance and excellence programmes. One of the ways that SDO’s implement this at a local level is by co-ordinating local Development Groups.

These groups consist of volunteer representatives from local clubs and representatives from the national governing body, education (primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities) and specialist sports facilities. The aim of the local Development Group is to create a positive working partnership between all agencies involved in that sport as well as write and implement a Development Plan for the area. The Group ensures that there are appropriate and accessible opportunities for all participants from grass roots sport through to performance and excellence.  

Club Action Planning

Sport is rapidly moving into a more 'professional' culture, partly as a result of changes in legislation, but largely from the desire to improve. The most effective way for clubs to develop and improve is to be involved in a planning process that sets your club on the path to a better future.  There are many reasons why a club will benefit from planning:

• Use your club resources more effectively
• Identify and prioritise the club's aims and aspirations for the future
• Recognise where the club has come from and where it is now
• Improve team spirit by involving members in decision making
• Forward planning is essential for accessing funding support, such as local grant aid
• Ensure a professional approach
• Demonstrate what the club can offer potential new players/ members
• Can demonstrate the club's commitment to local schools or the Local Authority
• The planning process can develop team work off the sports field
• Cope with change
• Check on the club’s progress.

 There is a Planning Template in the Articles panel to the right.