Inverness ShintyClub AcademyStrategic Plan
Introduction to Club Plan
This document isdivided in to the following sections
- Club Address
- History of the Club
- Mission Vision Values
- Background to Club
- Coaching and Games Development
- Club Structures and Administration
- Finance and Fundraising
- Facilities and Development
- Communication/Press and Culture
- Implementation and Review Mechanisms for the Plan
Activity Areas:
The activity areas outline exactly what the Club is going to do over the next five years.
Club Plan
1. Club address:
Since restructuring in 2015-2016 the Club has grown at an unprecedented pace through the efforts of recruiting and training a significant number of coaches. Unlike many other Sports Clubs who are in survival mode ISClub is thriving via a committed bank of dedicated volunteers. Our future challenges will revolve around harnessing this momentum, laying the foundations and building blocks required to sustain the growth. Shinty is Scotland’s first sport and where better to create the first Shinty Academy than in the capital of the Highlands.Partnership working has been and is vital but the whole movement requires a Centre, Hub, Fulcrum, focal point that can be called “home”. Without solid foundations the current infrastructurecould be perceived as vulnerable. We need to remain vigilant and use our ingenuity to keep progressing.
2.History of Club:
Founded in 1887 as Inverness Town and County Shinty Club to distinguish from other Clubs in Inverness such as Clachnacuddin, Thistle and Caledonian. Inverness Shinty Club moved to the Bught Park in 1934. The high point would be winning the Camanachd Cup in 1934.
3. Mission/Vision/Values
“Inverness Shinty Club/Academy is a community based volunteer organisation promoting Shinty, Culture and lifelong participation.”
Inverness Shinty Academy is a volunteer organisation. We develop and promote the sport of Shintywhich is at the core of the Scots identity and culture in the Highlands and beyond. We are dedicated to ensuring that our promotion of the sport, and the values we live, enrich the lives of our members, families and the communities we work within. We are committed to active lifelong participation for all and to providing the best equipment and facilities. We reach out to and include all members of our society. We promote individual development and well-being and strive to enable all our members to achieve their full potential in their chosen role
Vision
Our vision is that everybody has the opportunity to be welcomed to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow, develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong engagement within our Academy/Sport.
Values
Community Identity
• Community is at the heart of our Sport. Everything we do helps to enrich the communities we serve
• We foster a clear sense of identity and place
Amateur Status
• We are a volunteer led organisation
• All our members play and engage in our games as amateurs
• We provide a games program at all levels to meet the needs of all our players
Inclusiveness
• We welcome everybody to be part of our Club/Academy
• We are anti sectarian
• We are anti-racist
Respect
• We respect each other on and off the playing fields
• We operate with integrity at all levels
• We listen and respect the views of all
Player Welfare
• We provide the best playing experience for all our players.
• We structure our games to allow players of all abilities reach their potential
Teamwork
• Effective teamwork on and off the field is the cornerstone of our Academy/Club
• We are only as strong as our weakest link
4: Background to Club:
Current Club Overview:
Season 2016 playing front:
The Club’s senior teamretained a position in the 2nd tier of Shinty by showing ambition and vision.
The reserve team employed a “Youth First policy” and has stood by that by using numerous junior players whilst still maintaining a competitive edge.
The first Inverness Ladies team was formed in 2015 and played in a Development League; they are now playing in the North League 2
U17’s competed in Development League and National 6’s competition
U14’s competed in all National and inter club competitions ( winning an U14 league)
Primary School age: BSGI Primary entered the National competition. Under the hospice of Inverness Club, numerous inter club competitions were attended by the Club including the National 1st Shinty competitions ( Drakies @ P4/5’s and BSGI @ P6/7,s)
3 day Summer Shinty camp:30+ (children attended)
Inaugural “taster sessions” over 2 days:90+ (primary age)
Number of teams:
2 x Senior
1 x Female senior
1 x U17’s (mixed sex)
1 x U14’s (mixed sex)
7 x Primary schools engaged ( Balloch,Bun Sgoille,Cradelhall, Crown, Drakies, Raigmore, Milton of Leys.)
Registered Club players/members:
Senior: 50 + 10 non players
Junior: 60( estimated to be 200+ playing via the Primary schools)
Qualified coaches:
Foundation: 15 (6 x female) + (8 x inactive) & ( 2 in training)
UKCC Level1: 12
UKCC level 2: 1 ( + 2 training)
Activity area
Inverness’s population is 72,000 which has grown by 17.8% since 2001 when it gained City status.
There are 5 Secondary and 20 Primary Schools within a 2 mile radius of the City
Communitychanges over the years and the impacton the Club:
The ever rising population within Inverness City has no knowledge or had very limited exposure to Shinty, this has diluted the shinty “pool”. ISC faces an ever growing dilution of knowledge, participation and understanding of Shinty, resulting in a fractured Community Club base that is ever widening. The Club understands that it has a cultural obligation to address the balance and be the catalyst for rebuilding the Shinty Community within Inverness.
Club Facilities
Bught Park is the home of Shinty in Inverness but the club only rents the use of the Facilities on match days from High Life Highland who facilitate for The Highland Council. In an ideal world a long term lease would be hugely beneficial for the Club and shinty development as this would be the hub and fulcrum of all shinty activities within the City, giving it a secure base and focal point for the Shinty Community and an Inverness Shinty Academy.
5.Coaching and Games Development
In five years’ time, we will be able to say:
“Our underage section is one of the best focusing on skill levels and individual performances. We have achieved excellence in coaching standards, providing games for our young players in a safe and enjoyable environment all year round. Our Club’s adult teams perform to their full potential because we have the best possible coaching and games development structures in place.”
Key Projects:
Coaching and Games Development Sub-Committee
We will appoint a Coaching and Games Development Sub-Committee to oversee all aspects of games development in the Club. This will include identifying new coaches in the community, encouraging parents to become involved in coaching and ensuring that all our Clubs coaches have Camanachd Association Coach Education qualifications. The committee will also ensure that a balanced programme of games is in place and that all players get an opportunity to play and participate. This chairman of this committee will sit on the Club Executive Committee and will provide a report to each meeting.
Club Coaching Officer
We will appoint a Club Coaching Officer, who will be chairman of the Coaching and Games Sub-committee. He or she will have responsibility for managing the affairs of the committee and for overseeing all coaching and games related activities and policies.
Underage Games Programme
We will put in place a program of games for all players internally involving First, Intermediate, Primary, Secondary and Club Shinty within the Club and externally with other Clubs. This will ensure that all players get meaningful activity in an environment that promotes skill development.
Coach Education
We will put in place a programme that makes sure that every playeris coached by a person qualified to the appropriate level. All Club coaches will receive CA coach education qualifications. Each coach will have a minimum of a Foundation Award coaching certificate. We will aim to have all coaches at Award 1 level over time. We will also identify new referees, who will receive referee education and assistance from the CA.
ISC Code of Best Practice and Code of Behavior
We will put in place the ISC Code of Best Practice and Code of Behavior. Everyone in the Clubwill show due respect to each other, to Club officers, to team mentors and to the match officials. We will ensure that all our volunteers working with children are vetted and that our children participate in a safe environment.
Club/School Link
We will develop close links with our local primary and secondary level schools. We will provide support and advice to the schools in promoting our games. .
Create/forge two School Shinty liaison officers who would be school staff and the Clubs contacts, one for Primary schools and the other for Secondary schools to lead on contacting and developing new areas.
Action / Outcome Sought / Timescale / Milestones / ResponsibilityClub Coaching Officer and Games Sub-Committee Appointed by the Club Executive Committee / To oversee all aspects of games development in the Club and ensure the best possible coaching structures are in place in our Club / Club Executive Committee
Club-School link in place. Club-School liaison officer appointed / To cement the relationship between the local school (s) and the Club and ensure that the children are receiving Qualified coaching. / Coaching and Games Committee
First Shinty program in place for P1-3 players / To encourage our young players to become involved in Shinty activities in a fun and safe environment / Coaching and Games Committee
School shinty for P6-7 players, with each players participating in at least 10 events per year including CA competitions / To ensure that all P6-7 players get appropriate games in a fun environment that promotes skill development , leading onto competitive matches / Coaching and Games Committee
Junior Club Shinty for U14 players with each player participating in at least 15 CA competitions/events per year / To put in place a meaningful program of games for all Youth players (13-17 years). / Coaching and Games Committee
To encourage more parents to become coaches / To increase the number of coaches available to our Clubs / Coaching and Games Committee
All Club coaches receive CA Coach Education and have access to coaching resources
/ To aid our Club coaches in skill development of our players and to ensure that our coaches are trained to the best possible standards / Coaching and Games Committee
Shinty Camp held and promoted each year supported by our own Club coaches / To give all children in the locality the opportunity to be coached in Shinty / Coaching and Games Committee
Taster Sessions promoted as and when required supported by our own Club coaches / To give all children in the locality the opportunity to “try” Shinty in a safe, inclusive environment / Coaching and Games Committee
ISC Code of Best Practice and Code of Behaviour in place / To promote an environment of respect in the Club and to ensure that all children participate in a safe environment / Children’s Officer/Safety Officer
All coaches working with underage players attend Child Protection Workshop / To ensure that all children participate in a safe environment / Children’s Officer/Safety Officer
All coaches working with underage players hold current/live PVG / To ensure that all children participate in a safe environment / Children’s Officer/Safety Officer
Program of games in place for Adult teams, including challenge games with other Clubs outside the county / To ensure that along with league and championship games, all players get a meaningful program of games. / Coaching and Games Committee
Develop local club links to create local competitions and reduce age gaps/bands / To reduce travel on school nights and reduce drop off in player numbers / Coaching and Games Committee
Club Defibrillator in place and coaches trained in its use / To ensure that the welfare of our players and supporters is of top priority / Coaching and Games Committee
New referees identified and trained / The Club has sufficient referees at underage and adult level / Coaching and Games Committee
6. Club Structures and Administration
In five years, our Club we will be able to say-
“Our Club excels in its administration. We have the structures in place appropriate to the club’s needs. Our Club Executive is vibrant and we have increased the number of people volunteering in the club.”
Key Projects
Club Constitution
Our club will be administered in accordance with its constitution.
Club Sub-Committee Structure
We will appoint a number of sub-committees to deal with Finance and Fundraising in the Club, Coaching and Games Development, Communication and Club Development.
We will recruit new volunteers to sit on these committees who have a particulartalent for these areas.
Plan Implementation Sub-Committee
We will appoint a sub-committee to monitor the implementation of the club plan. This committee will include the Club Chairman, Club Secretary, Club Treasurer, Club PRO and Club Coaching Officer as well as others as required.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy
We will put in place an Alcohol and Substance Abuse policy to make sure that our Club is following best practice regarding the use of alcohol in the Club. All juvenile medal ceremonies will take place in an alcohol free environment
Action / Outcome Sought / Timescale / Milestones / ResponsibilityClub Constitution adopted and in place / To make sure that the Club is being run in accordance with ISC rules. / Executive committee
Plan Implementation Sub-Committee appointed by Club Executive / To monitor the implementation of the club plan / Executive committee
CA Volunteer Recruitment Toolkit used by Club
/ That the Club is following best practice in terms of recruiting and retaining volunteers / Coaching and Games Committee
CA online Club Advice Manual used by Club Officers
/ To help all Club officers with administration in the Club / Executive committee
Club Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy developed / To make sure that the Club is following best practice regarding the use of alcohol in the Club / Children’s Officer/ Safety Officer
All Players and Members registered on CA online registration system. . / To comply with CA regulations on registration of players and members / Executive committee
All Club property vesting documents in order up to date / To safeguard all of the Clubs property / Executive committee
Children’s Officer and Designated Person appointed / To oversee implementation of the CA Code of Best Practice and to deal with any allegations of abuse in the correct manner. / Executive committee
7. Finance and Fundraising
In five years, our Club we will be able to say-
“Our Club is successful in fundraising and in financial excellence in order to support the continued development of our Club. We have new and innovative fundraising ideas and have new people helping in the fundraising efforts.”
Key Projects
Finance and Fundraising Sub-Committee
We will appoint a sub-committee to take care of finance and fundraising in the Club. The Club Treasurer will act as Chairman of this committee and will present a report to each Club Executive Committee meeting. They will prepare a budget for the Club each year, prepare the accounts for the AGM and will organise fundraising events for the Club.
Action / Outcome Sought / Timescale / Milestones / ResponsibilityFinance and Fundraising Committee appointed by the Club Executive / To organise and oversee the preparation of accounts and fundraising in the Club / Executive committee
Club Budget prepared at the beginning of each year / To help the Club prepare for the year ahead and to help plan for fundraising events / treasurer
Club accounts audited each year / To ensure best practice is followed / treasurer
8. Facilities and Development
In five years, we will be able to say:
“Our players and members now enjoy the very best possible facilities in the area, both on and off the pitch.”
Key Projects
Club Safety Statement
We will develop a club safety statement that will help identify all potential safety hazards, thus ensuring that our grounds follow best practice in providing a safe environment for players and supporters.
Record of all injuries and types, of injuries sustained taking into account the PPE worn at the time.
First aiders in attendance at all activities with appropriate supplies
Action / Outcome Sought / Timescale / Milestones / ResponsibilityClub Safety Statement developed / Providing a safe environment for players and supporters / Children’s Officer/ Safety Officer
Injuries record / PPE education
Highlight poor technique / Children’s Officer/ Safety Officer
First aid cover / Qualified First aiders for all activities / Children’s Officer/ Safety Officer
First aid boxes / Sealed and only used for on field incidents. Replenished after each use / Children’s Officer/ Safety Officer
9. Communication/Press