JUNIOR BADMINTON CLUBS GAIN CLUBMARK

5^th August 2004

Two Junior Badminton Clubs in the Teesside area have gained the Sport England Clubmark. They are amongst the first six badminton clubs in England to receive this prestigious recognition.

The Clubs are Marske Junior Badminton Club based at Bydales School in Marske and Guisborough Westgate Junior Badminton Club based at Middlesbrough Badminton Club in Highfield Road, Middlesbrough.

Clubmark is Sport England’s kite mark for a safe, effective and child friendly club.

The Sport England Clubmark is equivalent to the Silver Award in the Badminton Association of England’s own Club Accreditation Programme.

One of the main benefits of gaining Clubmark is that it lets parents know that the Club follows best practice in a number of key areas. These are: -

· A continuing safe environment for children to play in.

· A team of Badminton Association of England qualified coaches, dedicated to continue to develop their knowledge of the sport.

· A structure for children to learn and develop new skills in badminton.

· Encourages club membership and with it a route for progression, enjoyment and improved fitness.

· Develops & promotes volunteers who are suitably trained and checked for their suitability to work with children.

Towards the end of 2002, Tees Valley Sport asked the Badminton Association of England (BAofE) to become a Partnership Sport. This took place in 2003 and as a direct result a number of Junior Badminton Clubs in Teesside joined the Tees Valley Sport’s Partnership Sports Club.

This proved to be of considerable benefit, as these clubs have received guidance and help regarding club structure and organisation, as well as financial assistance towards the cost of workshops & coaching courses.

Both Clubs had already recognised the importance of having procedures in place to cover various club activities, health & safety issues and child protection issues.

Each Club had also identified the need for more qualified coaches and volunteers, as well as a number of workshops to improve their knowledge.

Consequently when each Club carried out it’s Club Development Plans, with Tees Valley Sport in December 2003, the commitment was already there to attend workshops & coaching courses. For both Clubs, the Development Plans were a case of ensuring that, when complete, they would be in a position to apply for Clubmark Accreditation.

Their Development Officer & Head Coach, Dave Knights, championed Marske Junior Badminton Club’s application.

Their Head Coach, Andy Baxter, championed Guisborough Westgate Junior Badminton Club’s application.

Both Clubs received their Clubmark Accreditation Assessment File Packs in February 2004.

Between February & June both Dave & Andy worked with Roger Cook, the Tees Valley Badminton Development Officer, to complete the Assessment Files.

Both files were submitted to the BAofE at the end of June.

Both Clubs are now looking to forge new links with local schools as part of the Government’s PE, School Sport and Club Links programme.

Marske JBC has over 70 junior members and runs three sessions on a Sunday afternoon, from 1pm to 6pm at Bydales School in Marske.

In September they are looking to start a new session in Guisborough on Saturday mornings. Their contact is David Knights. (01642 481150).

Guisborough Westgate JBC has over 50 members and runs two sessions on Sunday morning/afternoon, from 10am to 2pm at Middlesbrough Badminton Club in Highfield Road, Middlesbrough). Their contact is Andy Baxter (01642 321777).

(Both Clubs are presently not operating during the School Holidays).

As well as the above two Clubs, there are a number of other recognised Junior Badminton Clubs operating in the Tees Valley area. All these Clubs are affiliated to the BAofE and are themselves at various stages within the BAofE’s Club Accreditation Programme.

For details of your nearest registered club, contact Tees Valley Badminton Development Officer, Roger Cook (01642 656227).

The photograph shows Clive Ellames, BAofE’s Director of Development, presenting the Clubmark Awards to Dave Knights (left) and James Baxter (son of Andy).