REPORT TO GRANTS PANEL

MONDAY 12TH JANUARY 2009

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

TO REVIEW THE APPLICATION CRITERIA FOR INDIVIDUAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

1. / Purpose of the report
1.1 / To seek member approval to review the application criteria for an Individual Sports Development Grant
2. / Recommendation
2.2 / Members are asked to decide on the inclusion of Individuals to apply for a grant to obtain coaching qualifications ( see 5.1)
3. /

Background and information

3.1 / Sports Development Grants are available for individuals and Clubs. Each year Leisure Services are given a sum of money for grants. For 2008/09, £5,000 of that sum was allocated for Sports Development grants.
3.2 / Applications are administered through Leisure Services and presented to members of Poole Sports Council, who discuss and agree if an award should be granted. Individuals can apply up to a maximum of £250.
3.3 / The Eligibility Criteria was agreed by the Executive Committee on 29 08 01. It is unclear from archived documents whether the Executive Committee also agreed on ‘What can be applied for’ (Appendix 1).
3.4 /

In recent years, Poole Sports Council have awarded a number of grants to individuals to obtain coaching qualifications. However, there has been uncertainty over whether this was originally intended when the criteria was first set. However, this group arguably falls within the current eligibility criteria – See Appendix 1, point 4.

4 /

Proposal and options

4.1 / Poole Sports Council would like to formally recognise and invite applications from sports coaches who are obtaining formal coaching qualifications, particularly where those individuals will use their skills to provide voluntary coaching.
4.3 / Awards given will be monitored to ensure that voluntary coaching is taking place.
5. /

Members are asked to choose one of the following:

5.1 / a)Leave the ‘what can be applied for’ list unchanged.
b)Change the ’what can be applied for’ list to include sports coaches for obtaining their formal coaching qualifications. Awards made will cover expenses related to badges, accommodation and travel.

Appendix 1

Eligibility Criteria (approved by the Executive on 29.8.01)

Clubs

Individuals

1) Individuals will only be considered for financial assistance if they are a resident within the Borough of Poole - or - the applicant is a permanent resident within the Borough of Poole boundaries but is temporarily living outside for the purpose of study (full time education only).

2) The sport that the applicant participates in should ideally be recognised by Sport England.

3) The applicant or their club should be affiliated to the National Governing Body.

4) The applicant is a sports person who currently demonstrates a high level of attainment, or possesses the potential to develop in their performance and whose success is likely to encourage others.

5) The applicant’s personal circumstances must show a need for financial support in order for them to develop.

An application for individuals can be made up to a maximum of £250.

What can be applied for:
Receiving coaching and/or training.
Competition entry fees.
Purchase of specific specialist equipment.
Transport and accommodation expenses for training and competitions.