North East CSPs Become Clubmark Licensed
The four County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) from the North East have been licensed to give local sports clubs national recognition.
The CSPs have now obtained an official license to award Clubmark accreditation to community clubs, which is an award that demonstrates a club's commitment to providing good quality junior sections.
Clubmark is endorsed by all the main sporting, youth and education organisations involved in delivering sport for young people as the accreditation scheme for clubs with quality-assured junior sections. To achieve the accreditation, clubs have to undergo a rigorous examination by the CSPs or by their sport's national governing body. They must prove that their coaches and volunteers are adequately trained, qualified and vetted and that the club has first aid provision, insurance, equity and child protection policies in place.
The North East County Sports Partnerships are committed to working with partners to help clubs to provide a quality experience for their members and for young people who want to get involved in sport. The development of clubs that encourage young people to take-up sport, improve their talents and give them the option to maintain life-long participation in sport is an essential part of our work.
One of the first clubs to benefit form this service is Middlesbrough Actionnaires who have been supported and assessed by the North East CSPs and recently achieved Clubmark status.
Lesley Inganni at Middlesbrough Actionnaires said, "It is such a great achievement for Middlesbrough Actionnaires to be the first disability sports club in the North East to be awarded a Clubmark Accreditation. The safety and well being of all of our club members is of the upmost importance to us and we ensure that our policies and procedures are of the highest standards. To have this recognised through a Clubmark Accreditation is fantastic.
"It is so important that children are involved in sport, both in and out of school and are generally physically active. Middlesbrough Actionnaires club, run by national charity Action for Blind People, is a great way for blind and partially sighted children in the area, to access the same sporting opportunities as their sighted peers. The club is accessible, has adapted sports equipment and trained and caring staff."