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13/02/2009
Clubs celebrate Clubmark accreditation
Carlisle Villa ABC and Thames Valley ABC are the second and third clubs to achieve the ABAE's Clubmark accreditation.
The accreditations recognise the commitment of both clubs to meeting Sport England's standards for providing sessions for juniors that are safe, effective and child-friendly.
Carlisle Villa ABC, the North West region's first ABAE Clubmark accredited club, were so keen to become accredited that they had achieved many of the criteria before the ABAE's scheme had even been launched, having worked with their local Sports Development Officer from Carlisle City Council.
Carlisle Villa members with the ABAE's Matthew Williams
Club coach and lead officer for Clubmark, Jimmy Brennan, believes that the process of achieving accreditation has been of real value to the club: "Clubmark has helped us so much with the development of the club. Although I believe we were running the club well, we were standing still. The requirements to gain accreditation such as attending relevant courses, compiling the evidence folder, meeting different organisations and gaining funding, has helped us develop so much more. We are now better equipped, have coaches that are better qualified, have a much higher membership and are financially so much better off than we were two years ago when we started the project."
Thames Valley ABC are the Home Counties' first accredited club. They were supported by both their County Sports Partnership, Berkshire Sport, and Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People (BACYP), whose Sports Development Officer Sarah O'Donnell provided significant hands-on assistance in helping the club to achieve the Clubmark criteria.
Thames Valley ABC with their award
The club's achievement was recognised by their local MP Richard Benyon, who presented the club with their certificate. David Seward, Chief Executive Officer for BACYP, praised the club: "Young people need safe places to go and positive activities to get involved in and Thames Valley ABC have been offering this for many years. We are delighted that they have now received the recognition they deserve. Paul Cooke and his team have worked very hard to offer the young people of West Berkshire a high quality club which supports the development of young people. Thames Valley ABC has provided some great role models for young people and with this recognition by the ABA we hope they can now build on their success. They offer young people a first class activity provided by an inspired and dedicated coaching staff and management team."
Matthew Williams, ABAE National Club and Coach Manager said: "We are delighted that Carlisle Villa ABC and Thames Valley ABC have successfully achieved Clubmark accreditation. Both clubs have worked very hard to meet the criteria and have benefited from the support and recognition that Clubmark brings. We hope that many more clubs will seek to follow their example and benefit from achieving Clubmark."
For more information on Clubmark please contact membership@abae.org.uk.