Sports Development
The unit has also achieved the National Significant Achievement Award for Sports Development due to its work with partners.
Our key partners include the Sports Council for Wales, Bridgend College, Disability Sport Cymru, Football Association for Wales, Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff City, Welsh Netball Association and Welsh Assembly Government.
Priority areas
The major priority of the Sports Development Unit is to create new opportunities for people to take part in sport particularly those groups who participate less than others. After extensive consultation with local communities and research the Sports Development Unit has set out four priority areas for 2003 - 2006.
The 'Sporting Chance' Programme
The Sporting Chance programme has been created to encompass the work of the Sports Development Unit under 6 key areas.
Sports Club - Services to support the number range and quality of sports clubs | |
Sports Horizons - Services to drive sports equity targeting women and girls, people with disabilities and areas of deprivation | |
Sports Aid - Services to support the attraction of more funding and investment into community sport. | |
Sports Network - Services that improve information regarding sports opportunities | |
Sports Coach - Services to support the number range and quality of sports coaches | |
Sports Extra - Services to increase participation by children of school age. |
Sports Club
We aim to increase the number, range and quality of sports clubs throughout the County Borough.
Developing New Clubs
The Sports Development Service works with communities to create club development plans, identify funding targets, develop coaches and leaders etc. Over 50 new clubs and associations have been developed in the last 3 years.
Promoting Club Membership
After School Clubs
We work with most primary and secondary schools to develop After School Sports Clubs that encourage more young people to take part. These clubs are linked to the Dragon Sport programme of the Sports Council or the Out of School Hours Learning programme of the New Opportunities Fund.
Club Association
During 2003 - 2004 we will be developing a club accreditation programme to recognise the quality of clubs within our communities. This programme will look at qualified coaching, child protection, junior structures etc.
Developing Facilities
Girls First
We are in the third phase of a programme working with every secondary school to increase sports participation by girls. The Bridgend programme has been recognised by the Sports Council as the 'model' of best practice. The Girls First programme introduces new activities such as football, rugby, dance and fitness training and helps to create new sports clubs. The Girls County Games Sports Tournament is now an annual event.
Disability Sport
The Sportsability programme has been delivered to local schools for young people with severe disabilities. An annual Disability Sport Camp is held in association with the New Opportunities Fund. The Disability programme is always keen to support volunteers to work with disability sport projects.
Positive Futures
The project is active in the areas of Cornelly and Wildmill and receives referrals via the Youth Offending Team, Pupil Referral Unit and others. The project offers team sports and outdoor pursuits.
Youth Focus
This programme is funded by the European Social Fund and allows us to use sport to work with young people to increase their health, skills and employability. Large numbers of young people are assisted to undertake leadership training and to gain coaching awards. The Youth Focus Partnership involves over 20 organisations including health, education, police, social services etc.
Sports Aid
The sports development unit aims to increase the funding and investment into community sports facilities and programmes supporting increased participation in sport and physical activity.
Community Chest
This small grants programme generally awards up to £750 towards the development of new activities and grass roots sport. This programme has invested over £200,000 of funding into clubs, schools and voluntary groups within Bridgend County Borough.
The programme is funded by Sports Council for Wales and administered locally by a Community Chest panel of local people.
Sportsmatch
This is a business incentive scheme to develop sponsorship of sport by commercial companies. Where sponsorship of £500 or more can be gained from a single sponsor, Sportsmatch can double the money if the project can prove it is new and developing community sport.
Minor Grant Programme
This relatively new programme of Sports Council for Wales can provide larger sums of funding including significant items of equipment and associated running costs to make sports development projects happen. This fund generally provides a link between the Community Chest programme and Sportlot Capital programme.
Sportlot Capital Programme
This is the largest of the Sports Council funding programmes supporting the upgrade or development of sports facilities and associated projects linked to these programmes. Bridgend currently has over 3 million pounds worth of projects linked to these programmes. Generally projects in this category will be valued at £10,000 or above.
These are the main programmes we use to support community sports development although there are other smaller programmes that are also used. Sports Development Unit staff are experienced at working with these funds and can assist community groups to develop their projects. All of these programmes have differing application procedures and criteria.
Contact the Sports Development Unit on 01656 302644 or email: sportsdevelopment@bridgend.gov.uk
Sports Network
The Sports Development Unit aims to manage information that can be used to support clubs, schools, coaches and partners to go forward.
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Community Research
We have a regular programme of research that identifies levels of sports participation, usage of facilities, differences between geographical areas etc. This information can be used to assist with funding applications or club development plans.
Club Database
We work with community sports clubs to produce details of the number range and quality of sports clubs within the County Borough. Details of over 220 clubs and associations are retained in a broad range of sports and are used to inform the general public of the opportunities that exist.
National Governing Bodies
Health and Safety
We are able to provide safety guidance and industry advice including the technical standards of sport, child protection, police checking and volunteers, risk assessment, coaching award requirements and more.
Performance Reports
The Sports Development Unit regularly reviews its performance including its work with partners and produces an annual report, which is distributed to clubs, schools and public buildings.
Sports Coach
Sports Leadership
The Sports Development Unit works with pupils of local secondary schools to gain sports leadership qualifications and training. Up to 100 pupils per year go through this programme. Pupils use their skills to support PE and School Sport programmes.
Volunteer Development
We make use of the Dragon Sport and Disability Sport resources to recruit, train and deploy volunteers drawn from the community. The volunteers help to support after school sports clubs and new community initiatives. 'Next Step' training is used to progress volunteers through to coaching awards.
Academic Programmes
The Sports Development Unit are based at Bridgend College (Pencoed Campus) and support the College Btec and HND programme in Sports Development and Sports Coaching. Through our partnership with the Football Association and Cardiff City, a football Academy Programme is also operated.
Accreditation
We also provide information on the appropriate qualifications required to coach, how coaches and volunteers should be screened, and insurance for coaches etc.
Sports Extra
The Sports Development Unit aims to increase the number of young people taking part in sport and physical activity.
Dragon Sport
PE and School Sport Programme
We work the National Assembly PE and School Sport programme to improve the quality and time allocated to PE and school sport. Bridgend was one of the first areas in Wales to establish a development centre linking schools in the Cynffig area to other schools and Bridgend College. A second development centre is planned for the Maesteg area for 2004. The aim of these centres is to develop best practice and share it with other schools.
Women and Girls
Centres of Local Development
We currently support the community to operate development centres in football, hockey, netball, rugby and badminton. The centres exist as a 'stepping stone' for young people with potential who receive quality coaching. Schools and clubs are involved in nominating young people to the centres. During 2004 - 2006 there will be an increase in centres of local development for girls and people with disabilities
For more details about the Sports Development Unit, call (01656) 302644 or email:sportsdevelopment@bridgend.gov.uk
