Clubs 1st
What is it?
Clubs 1st is an accreditation scheme being promoted by England Hockey as part of the wider Sport England Clubmark Programme and is intended to help Clubs provide a safe, effective and child friendly hockey environment.
It aims to take best practice already in use in many Clubs, including our own, and set it down formally so that all can have the same standards and, importantly, be seen to be applying them.
A major part of the scheme is to ensure safety and security for children taking part in Club hockey training or matches. Clubs need to show that they have appropriate levels of training in order to be able to conduct safe instruction, that there are defined training programmes and that there are recognised first aiders who can deal with any minor injuries that might arise from training or matches. To ensure this happens, a Child Welfare / Protection Officer is appointed.
However, the scheme goes much wider, setting out clear conduct guidelines not just for the coaches but also for the players, umpires, parents and even spectators. These emphasise that sport should be fun even when competitive, that due respect should be given to all involved and that everybody is responsible for their own conduct. Copies of these are available on the website and you are encouraged to read and understand them and down-load any that you wish.
Why should we be involved?
Sutton Valence already has a strong and successful junior section, so why do we need to get on board with CLUBS 1ST?
Polarisation within hockey is inevitably leading to fewer, larger, Clubs who will tend to be able to call the shots in technical support and funding. They will also have a strong pull for the better players. For smaller Clubs like us the only way to keep in with a shout is to be shown to be up with the best from the auditing of such accreditations as this, and to continue to bring on our own young players. This could be a major help in gaining us access to funds for training, which could extend what we are already achieving.
Not to pursue accreditation could, at some stage in the future, lead to the Club not being allowed to run training and matches for children. Clearly not an option.
So what is the process to achievement?
Firstly we have to present our conduct documents and action plan proposals to England Hockey for approval in principle. We will be helped by having them checked locally before submission, to make sure that they are adequate. These have been being worked on by a small sub-committee, currently Rob Ife, Paul Linaker, Richard Shelton and Liz Talbot chaired by John Knight. After completion, there will be a need for others to be involved in a continuing sub-committee to ensure maintenance. Once approved, we will be audited by someone on England Hockey’s behalf whose brief will be to check that the proposals are understood, accepted and being applied by those involved in the Club – officials, participants, parents etc. This could be at a junior match practice or game.
This is why it is important for everybody to have read the relevant documents, as this will enable anybody present to confirm knowledge of the scheme. The auditor’s aim is not to catch Clubs out, but to assist in their progress to full achievement.
Approval by the auditor will lead to England Hockey granting the Club the CLUB 1ST status, which permits the Sutton Valence to display this on their website and any documentation, and to use it in any approaches made for funds.
Sutton Valence Hockey Club is well down the track, with many of the requirements already happening, for instance, Andrew McVarish has already been appointed as Child Welfare / Protection Officer, but the formalisation will be an aid rather than a hindrance in helping us progress.
This accreditation move is vital for the Club’s future and the Management of the Club has no hesitation in recommending it to all Club Members, parents and supporters.