Networking Session Review 20 January
Following the Partnership Annual Review in July 2009 a regular programme of network sessions has been introduced. The first session was held on Wednesday 20 January. Following consultation with partners three workshops were developed for the half day session focussing on the following areas of work;
• developing our capacity to increase participation in sport and physical activity
• developing our 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Action Plan
• developing the communications and information sharing and analysis within the Partnership
The workshops were well supported by Sports Development Teams, National Governing Bodies, the Health Sector and Leisure Trusts. A range of issues and actions were discussed in each workshop which will be used to shape future work, for example, delivering more and better activity, more support on using the Active People Survey Diagnostic, proposals for 2012 Legacy Action Plan. The next networking session will take place on 6th May and will focus on the sharing of partner programmes and funding to deliver activity in the Tees Valley. The purpose will be to develop more effective planning and use of resources. For further details on the content of the workshops please click here.
Workshop 1 - developing our capacity to increase participation in sport and physical activity
The workshop focused on increasing our capacity to deliver high quality sport and physical activity. The discussions highlighted a number of issues around workforce development, including the voluntary and professional sectors, Tees Valley Club Benefits Package and the role of the Coach Development Manager.
It was recognised that a significant investment had been made in the workforce over the past 2 years through the Tees Valley Workforce Plan. Developing Level 1 coaches into Level 2 coaches was seen as a key issue. We are still very reliant on volunteer coaches and their time commitments mean there are problems with delivery in school curriculum and after school activities in particular. It was felt that good Level 1 coaches could deliver many activities in after school clubs and play a major role in developing school club links.
The development of disability sports opportunities in clubs was seen as inconsistent and it was felt that much more work could be undertaken in this area. Need to look at “focus” clubs catering for disabled players and athletes and educating club coaches and members. Also need to look at developing club based competition opportunities.
The club benefits package was discussed and the programme of generic courses was seen as essential in supporting club accreditation. NGB/Club workshop ideas were highlighted as important and several models of good practice currently exist. Could this approach be expanded to other sports? How can we establish clubs networks to help each other?
The new Coach Development Manager position will provide a much needed boost to the development of the coaching networks in the Tees Valley. The creation of a coach database was felt to be an excellent idea and the direct support of coaches at a local level through training and mentoring was also important.
Workshop 2 - developing our 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Action Plan
The workshop focussed on the recommendations which the Partnerships 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Working Group had developed. The three themes; participation in sport and physical activity, performance sport and coaching, leadership and volunteering were considered. There was support for all elements of the proposals. The framework which provided a small number of partnership wide initiatives and the opportunity for all partners to deliver other projects and interventions was welcomed.
Partners were particularly keen to exploit the opportunity which the Games provided to raise the profiles of sport and physical activity. The Partnership website was thought to be a particularly good tool to use to do this. Improved signposting from programmes such as Sport Unlimited, Playground to Podium and Gifted and Talented activity into community sport and national governing body performance pathways was also proposed.
Workshop 3 - developing the communications and information sharing and analysis within the Partnership
Tees Valley Sport are developing an information resource including partner plans, priorities and interventions across the Tees Valley. The workshop highlighted the information and analysis currently available to assist partners whether planning new interventions and projects or identifying the potentional for greater joint working through existing programmes.
Tools such as the Active People Survey, Active Places, Social Market Segmentation, the Step into Sport Passport Scheme, Satisfaction Survey and the Change4Life Campaign were highlighted. The discussion covered measuring impact and satisfaction of young people, incentives to complete data collection forms and opportunities for sharing information that may not be widely accessible.
