Sports Development:Activity Report
Sports Development is all about…
- Something that makes a difference.
- The promotion of positive change.
- Identifying and addressing shortfalls in provision.
- Improving standards of current provision.
- Creating effective partnerships.
- Changing the attitudes of providers and participants.
- Overcoming barriers and challenges.
Practical Examples
Here in Salford there are many examples of successful sports development initiatives.
The sports development team through its coaching staff delivers directly to hundreds of boys, girls, men and women every week. We currently deliver 2000+ hours per year on our school-coaching programme, 57 thousand children per year. We further impact on many through the training of volunteers and support given to sports clubs across the City.
Seedley and Langworthy (externally funded)
SRB projects with a strong sport and leisure focus, responding to local demand and working directly with young people and volunteers in areas where many are deemed to be excluded.
TOPS & other school programmes (Education budget)
TOPS provide training and support for all primary school teachers in Salford in the design and delivery of games and sport in the curriculum. In conjunction with the Early Years Team we have trained over 30 nursery nurses / assistants / head teachers in a tailor made scheme “TOP START” for pre-school deliverers.
Watersports Centre
The centre was officially opened in July 2001 (1.4 million from Sport England) and provides programmes in a range of water activities and outdoor pursuits for schools and public. The centre has developed an impressive list of partner organisations and plays host to the BCU Regional Development Officer, the BTA Regional Development Officer and the Social Services Activities Development Officer. The centre is also the base to the majority of the Sports Development Team.
North Salford Gymnastic and Trampolining Centre
Both sports have a long-standing reputation within the sporting community of Salford for producing grass roots to excellence. The Trampolining team are the current European Champions – which is the equivalent of Manchester United winning the champions league. The coaching staff at North Salford have also produced six junior world champions. A number of recreational trampolining and gymnastic classes are offered through out the City – those children showing promise are then offered an assessment at North Salford and are taken into the squad system.
Lancastrian Hall
A specially equipped room is provided at the Lancastrian Hall with a purpose built floor area for pre-school activities. The centre is used in the evening by the local judo club.
Pendleton 6th Form College
An officer from the Sports Development team is permanently based at the college and has a responsibility for the development of school swimming and links to the college PE dept. The officer also has a responsibility for the pool plant operation.
Triathlon Development
In March 2000 the City employed a Triathlon Development Officer – the first such officer of its kind in the country. This officer has raised the profile of triathlon in the region by providing the following:
School taster sessions, formation of junior City of Salford triathlon club, after school triathlon club at Peel Hall Primary school in Little Hulton, development of annual triathlon festival, training courses for coaches and volunteers.
In addition the City has been at the forefront of Triathlon events. In 2001 Salford Quays played host to the National Triathlon Championships, this event was also the test event for the 2002 Commonwealth Games Triathlon. The Sports Development team were responsible for the management and delivery of this event.
The City has been successful in its bid to host the 2003 World Cup Triathlon, which will attract the best Triathlete to compete at Salford Quay’s in July 2003 – the Sports Development Team, amongst others will help with the organisation and management of this event.
Salford Swimming Development Scheme
The swimming development scheme was developed in 1979 and has produced in that time many national and international swimmers. The scheme currently has some 200 members ranging from 7 – 23 years of age. At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics Salford placed 3 swimmers on the team, two of them returning with gold medals.
Active Sports
Through a nation wide network of partnerships between local authorities and governing bodies of sport, Active Sport aims to make club membership, coaching and competitive opportunities equally accessible for all young people, Salford has been instrumental in establishing the Greater Manchester Sports Partnership, funded by AGMA and a substantial lottery bid which aims to develop 10 key sports across the country over the next 7 years.
Active Communities
Active Communities is responding to the groundswell of demand from local areas such as those represented by our own Community Committees for the provision of positive community based activities for young people. We currently have a Senior Active Communities Development Officer assisted by Community Sports Development Officers in Eccles, Swinton, Irlam & Cadishead, Claremont, Weaste & Seedley, Kersal, Pendleton & Charlestown, Little Hulton & Walkden and Worsley & Boothstown. Funding has been provided via the Youth Action Key Fund.
Active Lifestyles
The active Lifestyles Team has four areas of work, Salford Exercise referral scheme, Salford’s Walking the way to health initiative, Fitbods and the Fitness Firm. Over 100 people have benefited from the support of Salford’s Exercise referral team since January 2002. Numerous people have reported a drop in blood pressure – we are receiving many requests from GP surgeries and other medical professionals on how they can become involved in the referral scheme.
Greater Manchester Youth Games
Each year we take between 250 – 300 of Salford’s children and volunteers to compete with the other 9 GMC authorities. Many months are spent preparing teams, many of which are made up of relative beginners. This work culminates in a unique weekend event and provides an experience that many would not otherwise enjoy.
Holiday Programmes
The Sports Development Team co-ordinates and delivers an extensive holiday activity programme embracing “free access” schemes in local communities and paid courses offering such sports as cricket, tennis, netball and the ever popular multi activity weeks. The Sports Development Team are also one of the main providers of the M5 4WT – Children’s University Scheme.
For the summer of 2002 the Sports Development Team was the lead agency for the “extra splash” funding. This funding is provided by the Youth Justice Board and is targeted at the reduction of juvenile crime during the summer months. There were 25 thousand attendances at the 2002 Summer scheme.
Hikes and activity session for 50+
We take over 50 men and women on a hike each month and run on average 100 centre based activity sessions per year attracting around 2,500 attendances from the 50 /60 + community.
Salford District Sports Council
The Sports Development Team plays an active role in the development and management of this key group of voluntary sports clubs. The membership is open to any voluntary sports club within the city and has as one of its key objectives the development of sport within the City of Salford. Funding advice is regularly offered at Sports Council meetings.
Sports Development Team Partners
In order to achieve its aims and objectives the Sports Development Team must develop and maintain close working relationships with a number of agencies and individuals involved in sport provision / participation.
City Leisure, Youth Service, Social Services, Nacro, Probation Service, Youth Offending Team, Sport England, National Governing Bodies, Greater Sport Team, Salford District Sports Council, Community Committees, Salford PCT, Health Professionals, Schools and Colleges.
Conclusion
Listed above are just a few of the services the Sports Development Team offer.
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