§ Colin Christmas and Jane Hushon continue to share the part time role of swimming co-ordinator for our parts of the county, each devoting a day per week to the development of swimming.
§ The Government agenda for sports development has shifted and after next year the Active Sports funding that we have enjoyed will be no more.
Each sport will have to work closely with National Governing Bodies and Sport England Regional Sports Board to submit plans that meet national criteria for funding. There will be no automatic funding.
§ There are now twenty focus sports chasing the funds. Swimming is one of 10 UK Priority Sports but more than 16 others are either England Priority or ‘Development’ sports
§ SASP??? From Active Sports beginnings –we are now one of the most successful County Sport Partnerships with a wider agenda: SOMERSET ACTIVITY AND SPORTS PARTNERSHIP.
§ There is now a Regional Plan for Sport and we are ready to publish our own County Plan which links to it. The Regional Plan has at least two themes we should be engaging with immediately : “Delivering Community Sport” and “Encouraging Active Living”
ü Clubs will have to make a concerted effort to achieve Swim 21 criteria. Other sports are working along similar lines and recognise the link to funding.
ü Clubs that can demonstrate that they are actively encouraging recruitment and links with partners will also be supported. (We have the mechanism in place through the Festivals, Friendly Series and Local Development Camps to deliver serious club, swimmer and coach development. It is all in our County Plan too.
ü We think…that as a County we also need to work harder at providing training camp opportunities for our swimmers …other sports are doing this very successfully, nice kit, exciting locations…
ü We have to recognise the valuable role our clubs play in promoting ACTIVE LIVING and DELIVERING COMMUNITY SPORT !!!!!!
What has SASP done to start the ball rolling?
ü Community Coaches Scheme
Sport England identified the need to offer quality coaching to youngsters and also “professionalise” this role to ensure that quality coaches could devote full time to the role. Somerset has an expanding team of “Multi Skill” Coaches working in primary schools across the county and also developing specific sports. Somerset was the first County in the country to see the opportunity for swimming and devised a template for swimming coaches to be appointed under this scheme. Graham Davidson was appointed in February to work with Taunton Deane Swimming Club and surrounding area to help develop talented young swimmers.
Graham is also playing a key role in reviewing the Learn to Swim programme in Taunton to ensure that LTAD and multi Skills are incorporated into the content and philosophy. Credit needs to be given to Taunton Deane swimming Club for working relentlessly to secure a partnership with SASP and Tone leisure to fund this exciting post.
West Somerset also has Mark Rawle working on a part time basis delivering multi skills swimming within the school-swimming programme.
ü PE and School Sport to Club Links
We are working in partnership with the ASA to develop pilot projects for encouraging children from school programmes into swimming clubs. Funds in the region of £4,500 will support qualified swimming teachers going into schools to develop the links.
ü Swim 21 Accreditation
We need to keep plugging away with this one! It is becoming increasingly important for clubs to have plans …if we know what you want to do, we are better placed to assist. We run regular Sunday morning practical updates and workshops at Weir Lodge - open to all!
ü ASA Teacher and Coach Education
We continue to financially support volunteers to obtain ASA qualifications on a regular basis. Applications for funds should be made up front with full details of courses. Like most budget holders it is very difficult to fund activities retrospectively.
ü Festivals
This is a fantastic competition offering young children their first taste of swimming competition. It is disappointing that there is still some reluctance amongst the local authorities and clubs to take this on board.
In desperation we will be trying a new route…schools !
ü Partnership “Friendly Series”
We currently have the competition running in the Taunton, West Somerset and Sedgemoor areas. A big THANK YOU to Mark Rawle, West Somerset, for taking a lead in organising these events at Quantock and St James Street. We are “in discussions” with co-ordinators for Mendip and South Somerset. We would like to have these events up and running throughout the Partnership by the end of June 2004.
The future?
§ We have the opportunity to develop more coaching positions along the model developed in Taunton.
§ We can continue to fund the coach education courses as required.
§ The Festivals and Friendly series will need to be supported and “owned” by the clubs if they are to continue.
§ We need to play “catch up” now with other sports, in terms of Development Camps and Squads Development. It can be funded this and next year!!
Jane Hushon
Colin Christmas
Email address: cchristmas@somerset.gov.uk
Tel. No: 01823 447128 or 01984 640566
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