Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Capacity building18. This theme includes:• Developing more coaches, sports administrators and officials to work bothwithin the traditional sports sector and in newer alternative settings;• Providing opportunities to volunteer in all areas of sport (for example,clubs, events and schools) and help volunteers find fulfilling placementswhere they can make the biggest difference;• Developing the way in which sports based volunteering is used in the Cityto help extend the range of opportunities available to local people to takepart in sport;• Providing opportunities for local people to volunteer, access training, gainnew qualifications and obtain employment through sport.19. Action under this heading includes the proposed employment of a dedicatedofficer to coordinate the recruitment, training, deployment and rewarding ofvolunteers building on elements of existing programmes like Closing the Gap.20. Many clubs require significant support to enable them to grow their sport in aprogressive and sustainable manner, and achieving accredited club status.<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent City Council is working with Sport Across Staffordshire and<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent (SASSOT) to implement the partnership’s “workforcedevelopment strategy”. The courses currently offered to clubs are wideranging,from 1 st aid and equity coaching, to Volunteer Centre generic supportcourses for improving the volunteers’ skill base.21. The volunteer base of clubs is also crucial to the ability of clubs to take on,develop and manage facilities themselves. Good examples are the rugbyclubs, who have traditionally managed their own sites and who dependheavily on volunteer time for pitch and building maintenance.Supporting the voluntary sector22. This theme includes:• Improving the strength and quality of local clubs including helping themgain relevant forms of accreditation (Clubmark etc);• Assisting clubs and community groups with marketing and partnershipdevelopment;Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 43Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009 – 2016October 2009