How can my club link with a local school?

Clubs should have a representative who works with Sport North Tyneside, the local school sports partnership or governing bodies of sport to make school-club links. 

Sport North Tyneside is involved in club development and is in regular contact with school sports partnerships and other sport specific development groups.  As such we play a pivotal role in facilitating a link from the community club to the partnership development managers based in school sports partnerships.

For more information visit www.culture.gov.uk

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What is Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme (CASC) status?

The CASC offers local sports clubs a number of significant tax breaks and the possibility of claiming rate relief from their local authorities. The measures are designed to help keep money in the grassroots sport sector and to help community sport and recreation clubs secure the financial health of their organisations.

For more information visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/casc or www.ccpr.org.uk.

 

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I would like to set up a new sports club, how do I go about it?

Clubs are usually initiated by a relatively small number of people who share a common interest and when a formal club structure will be beneficial to them all. When there is early enthusiasm to establish a club, it is important to capitalise on this and move things forward quickly.There are three important things that need to be thought about:

  • Are there enough potential members?
  • Are there enough volunteers to run the club?
  • Is there another club in the local area that is already meeting the needs of the sport locally?

Once there is a general agreement to set up a club, a formal meeting will need to be called. During this meeting there will be a number of things that need to be decided and agreed on. It is often worth doing some preliminary work before the meeting, so that decisions can be made at the outset.

For more information visit www.runningsports.org.

 

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What is the appropriate insurance for my club?

Sports clubs and organisations, as well as expedition leaders and schools, must ensure that adequate insurance arrangements are in place, this is especially so in view of the increase in litigation. This applies to all those taking part in sport and recreation as administrative officials, coaches or participants themselves, having a duty of care and responsibility to ensure that anything they do does not cause injury or financial loss to others, or damage to property. If they do cause such damage, and negligence can be proven, they become legally liable to pay compensation.

Insurance policies are legal documents, and it is best for organisations to use a firm that specialises in sports insurance. In the first instance contact your relevant governing body of sport that may have their own scheme.

Organisations should be able to show evidence of having thought through an event or activity and, where appropriate, have made a risk assessment.

For a list of governing bodies of sport, visit

www.sportscoachuk.org. 

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How can I promote my club or event?

When promoting your club or event it is important to know who your target groups are. What works for one group may not work for another. It may help you to build partnerships with non-sporting organisations or to find different communication methods. Plan carefully as you may be targeting groups who either do not usually play sport or perceive barriers to their participation.

Identify and understand the product or service you are offering. What are the particular benefits and attractions of your club? Do you provide friendship and social opportunities?  Do you offer coaching and a chance to improve standards? Are you accredited? Do you provide opportunities for all?

Do you have attractive facilities? Can you provide high-level competition?

Are you conveniently located?

You will need to decide what promotional methods you will use to reach your target groups. Advertising could include: notice boards, posters, free t-shirts, newsletters, website and local press. Social events could include coffee mornings, taster sessions or open days.

Contact us at Sport North Tyneside, as we can help promote your club.

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How do I become affiliated to my governing body of sport?

Find out who your relevant governing body is and request a form to become affiliated. You will need to ensure that you are correctly established with a constitution and committee. For a list of governing bodies of sport, visit www.sportscoachuk.org.

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What should my club constitution include?

A constitution will include the name of your club, the aims of your club, membership information including fees, the officers of the club, committee information, finances, annual general meetings and what happens on dissolution of the club.

Clubs in North Tyneside can seek advice from North Tyneside Council’s Sports Development Team.

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Which club volunteers should be Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checked?

Think about the volunteers within your club who might have unsupervised, isolated or regular one-to-one contact with young people. You should check anyone who may have direct contact with young people at the club.

Consult your governing body of sport, which will provide guidance on which volunteers should be CRB checked.

For further information, contact Child Protection in Sport Unit or Criminal Records Bureau.

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How do I get CRB checks for my club volunteers?

Initial enquiries will need to be made through your relevant governing body of sport.

Any screening procedures established by the sports club should be used consistently for all volunteers who might now, or in the future, have unsupervised, isolated or regular one-to-one contact with young and vulnerable people. Existing volunteers can be asked to provide the same information as new, potential volunteers.

There are three levels of CRB checks – enhanced, standard and basic. The club will need enough information in order to receive a minimum of a standard disclosure from the CRB. A disclosure form and additional guidance on what to include can be obtained from the CRB.

You will need to submit the relevant information via your governing body, which will be registered with the CRB. There is no cost for screening volunteers with the CRB, but some governing bodies for sport may charge a small amount for administration of the application.

For a list of governing bodies of sport, visit

www.sportscoachuk.org.

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How do I implement a club child protection policy?

All governing bodies of sport have a specific child protection policy, which should be the basis for any club policy. This will ensure the policy covers the correct areas and will be a guide for the club’s operation.

For further information, contact the Child Protection in Sport Unit or Criminal Records Bureau.

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We do not have enough volunteers in our club, how do we recruit more?

Every community sports club is reliant on its volunteers, however some times they are hard to recruit. The simplest way of recruiting volunteers may be to ask individuals, parents or members of the club if they would be willing to volunteer.

www.do-it.org.uk was launched in 2001 with the first, and still the only, national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK.  

VolunteerCenter and Runningsports also offer good information and advice on volunteers.

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My club would like to employ a sports coach, how do we go about it?

Employment law is complex and it is important to seek advice from your local council or the Inland Revenue before employing anyone at your club.  

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I would like to set up a disability section at my club, how do I go about it?

You will need to find out if there is demand for the section, and you might decide to focus on particular disabilities – for example, learning disabilities, wheelchair sport or blind sport.

Ensure that people within the club have been trained to work with or coach people with disabilities.

Contact North Tyneside Council’s Rachel Toland, Disability Sports Development Officer, for further guidance. Call 0191 643 7440 or email rachel.toland@northtyneside.gov.uk. 

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Our club has been approached by a person with a disability about joining, what support will they need?

Ask this new member if there is anything that would help them integrate more smoothly into the club, and provide it where possible.

In addition, take advice from your specific governing body on any adaptations they might suggest – some governing bodies have a national officer dealing specifically with disability issues.

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What is the Disability Discrimination Act?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 introduced new laws aimed at ending the discrimination that many disabled people face. The act gave disabled people new rights of access to goods, facilities and services.

The acts states that sports clubs need to make 'reasonable adjustments'. It recognises that many barriers exist, which make it difficult or impossible for disabled people to use services or facilities.

Clubs can make 'reasonable adjustments' to include disabled people by:

  • Talking and consulting with disabled people
  • Establishing how accessible the club facilities are to disabled people
  • Considering how the club currently promote its activities
  • Increasing the knowledge of key club officials, volunteers and coaches
  • Ensuring club policies reflect an inclusive approach

 

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How can I get funding for facilities, activities, individuals, training, and coaches?

There are many ways of raising money, including:

  • Membership subscriptions
  • Seeking donations
  • Obtaining grants
  • Organising fundraising events
  • Running lotteries
  • Obtaining sponsorship

You can also seek help from your sport-specific governing body or Sport North Tyneside.

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Our current facilities are not suitable, what should we do?

It is not easy to build a new facility and it may be better to look at local facility provision to see if there is anything else suitable in the local area. Contact Sport North Tyneside to discuss alternative facilities. 

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