ClubMark

I went to work today. Don't tell my employers, cos I'm off sick, but it was easier to do this meeting today (it's been booked for ages, & I'd never get another date set before Xmas), and tell them I'm doing it next week than to re-arrange it.

So, a quick jaunt down to Exeter to meet with one of the best & biggest clubs in the area to go through their ClubMark application file. Now ClubMark is a fantastic invention. I'm sure none of you have heard of it, which really pisses me off, because it's supposed to have enormous nationwide cover in the media, advertising & governmental backing, but that hasn't materialised yet - and it's in it's second year now!

Basically ClubMark is the kitemark for sports clubs, showing they are "safe, effective & child friendly" or in other words, run by qualified people, in accordance with governing body policies & good practise procedures & not designed to either totally rip you off, or to find young children for dubious reasons.

there is no legal obligation to have any training, police checks or knowledge to set up a sports club & invite young children to your facility to wear very little & get involved in various physical activities, so ClubMark is a fantastic invention. However, to receive it clubs obviously need to evidence their good practises. It is no longer acceptable to say "but everyone knows our policies" you now need to have them written, displayed & preferably signed by all participants.

this particular club has always been at the forefront at implementing new initiatives & policies & I can not fault their coaching, H&S, procedures, facilty or management. However, pieces of paper are not their strong point. I've spent all year discussing the criteria with the manager, and finally went down today to "sign off" the eveidence folder, only to discover that he hasn't actually written either of the two main documents required (a club development plan & job descriptions for all staff) he knows what they are going to say, but he's not actually written them yet.

Arghhhhhh! i can not sign him off without paper evidence! He really deserves the award, and I know he's doing it all, but I need the paperwork to prove it. ClubMark is one of my major target areas this year (I'm way behind on it), and this club getting it would really encourage others to follow suit. Because he's such a big, well run club, I can't even do it for him (I have been known to do stuff for smaller clubs - they don't have the time or experience to produce professional development plans!). So, a fairly wasted journey in many ways. Still he has PROMISED to get it written up by the end of the month, so here's hoping.