CSPs: Sport Birmingham, Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Sports Partnership Hereford & Worcestershire
In a drive to develop Sports Clubs in the West midlands, 3 CSP’s teamed up to offer a unified approach to bridge gaps using the platform of Club Matters. Energize Shropshire Telford and Wrekin, Sport Birmingham and Sports Partnership Hereford and Worcester.
Following consultation with clubs, it was found that the best way for clubs to engage with CSPs was via localised sports forums and mentoring with the goal of sharing best practice between sports clubs regardless of the sport. After successfully receiving funding through the Club Matters innovation fund, the 3 CSPs were able to set up over 10 sports forums and offer further individualised support to local clubs and organisations giving the opportunity to every club in our CSP area to engage with a forum and receive CSP support. Over 200 clubs are now regularly benefitting from this support.
These forums are shaped by the clubs, and the agenda’s will be based around current need and demand within the areas. Also, Club Matters is a common theme throughout the forums and the take up for this website has been huge – as a result, Club Advisors have been put into each area by the CSP’s using the innovation fund. These Club advisors are able to support the clubs 1 to 1 outside of the forums through the Club Matters website and each club will be allocated with an advisor if required. The support from the Club Advisors can be on a specific topic or general support to develop the club.
The impact has shown over 300 clubs in the 3 areas now register in club matters. Clubs have said that they now feel more confident in their everyday running and development. This has exceeded the overall target set at the beginning showing clear achievement.
Forums are hosted by schools in most cases and they have offered the facility for free meaning that there are no costs now they are regularly running which shows clear sustainability of the forums. These forums will continue on a bi-month/quarterly basis and will continue to bring the whole local club community together to address common themes and involve local partners where required.