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C L U B D E V E L O P M E N T – A partnership approach in Further and Higher Education
LEARN SHARE ENTHUSE INSPIRE DE
VELOP
casestudies
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Strategic ContextDeveloping collaborative partnerships between Further or Higher Educational institutions and
community partners is an essential component of The FA National Game Strategy, if we are going to be
successful in growing the number of people who play football, as well as retaining our current players
from youth to adult. The ultimate goal is to provide high quality opportunities for young people to be
involved in football either in a playing or wider leadership capacity, which can be sustained by
encouraging asset sharing (e.g. facilities, workforce) between clubs and educational institutions.
IntroductionThis guide has been produced as an illustration of the successful partnerships that exist between
Colleges of Further Education, Universities and Charter Standard Clubs, as well as demonstrating therole that the education sector plays in developing new clubs for young people. The examples included
outline how the partnerships have been developed and the outcomes they have achieved thus far.
We hope that the guide will become a useful resource for anyone seeking to create a new partnershipbetween a College or University and a Charter Standard club. Additionally for any institutions who
have identified a need in their local community to provide opportunities for young people to playa!liated football where this currently does not exist.
Please enjoy reading the case studies; we hope it will inspire and enthuse the development of similar partnerships across England.
KARL LINESChief Executive
English Colleges Football AssociationBritish Colleges Sport
karll [email protected]
DONNA MCIVOR National Football Development
Manager (Education)The Football Association
OLIVER SELFENational Football Development Manager
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS)[email protected]
LEARN SHARE
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PARTNERSHIP GROWT
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Providing progressive player pathways with sustainable clubexit routes and leadership/volunteering opportunities
Aim of project:
Through this project Bridgwater College aims to:
! Develop pathways for male U18 players to progress into reserve and 1st team football with Bridgwater Town FC (BTFC). Therefore bridging the gap between U16’s and reserve team football and developing players that aren’t yet physically ready for senior football
! Provide a lasting strategic legacy for U18 male football with Bridgwater Town FC via the development of a partnership with Bridgwater College, Somerset FA (SFA) and other lead partners
! Provide authentic leadership and volunteering opportunities in football through the college/club partnership
! O!er an exit route for young players released from local professional clubs, enabling them to stay in football and continue with their education.
Tactics used:
How the project was initiated:
! As a result of discussions with Bridgwater Town FC, Somerset FA and Bridgwater College Football Development sta!, a consensus was reached highlighting how male U18’s football provision needed to be resurrected, with an identified local need in Bridgwater
! Discussions took place with SFA and Skills Active (Sector Skills Council) with regards to funding routes available to support the leadership and management programmes within the proposal
! Engagement with local professional clubs took place, to gauge potential links with their non-scholars and released U16 players
! An audit of current Bridgwater College U18 footballers participating in intramural football programmes (e.g. Team19, Just Play and Mash Up) and inter-college competitions took place. The audit highlighted a demand for structured age appropriate football alongside the current college provision
! A detailed paper was produced clearly outlining aims, objectives and KPI’s for all interested parties to review and contribute to its development and once amended approval was given by all parties (Bridgwater College, BTFC and Somerset FA)
! Specific targeting of local Gifted and Talented Year 10/11 male footballers was in place and players were invited to attend summer trials
! BTFC U18’s trials were held in October leading to a squad being chosen. This was followed by a number of friendly fixtures throughout the season, including local teams and representative sides as part of a first year pilot before playing in the SFA U18’s League the following season
! BTFC U18’s were o"cially accepted into the Somerset FA Floodlight Youth League in May 2011.
CASE STUDIES
PROJECT TITLE:
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Key partners involved:
Bridgwater College
! Discounted Facility Usage (college ATP pitches for club training sessions, Gym membership)
! Student volunteers supporting in the following areas: video analysis, gym fitness programmes, assisting with coaching and refereeing fixtures
! Regular meetings between the college and the club chairman.
Bridgwater Town FC
! Discounted facility usage for college 11-a-side fixtures (male and female) and hosting BCS/FA Coach Development Training Events
! Kit washing facilities
! Hospitality after matches (Wednesday college fixtures)
! Use club facilities for Bridgwater College ‘Football Fun Days’ during holiday periods.
Somerset FA
! Financial support for the formation of the U18’s team
! College and Community Football Coordinator supporting college player pathway, leadership and volunteering and club/community links
! Support appointing referees for fixtures through local contacts
! Supporting the development of Ability Counts provision
! Signposting of student volunteers into local CS clubs, schools and the community through Football Futures.
Local Professional Clubs (Yeovil Town FC, Plymouth Argyle FC, Exeter City FC)
! Signposting released players to gain educational and playing opportunities through Bridgwater College and Bridgwater Town FC
British Colleges Sport and The FA
! FA/BCS Focus College for ‘Football Participation’
! Strong partnership to deliver FA/BCS participation programmes: Just Play, Team19, Mash Up, FA Fives at Bridgwater College
! Support with the creation of a Student Management Team
! Football Futures support.
Local CS Clubs
! Fourteen CS Clubs using college facilities for training
! Links with these clubs to signpost players
! Links with these clubs to signpost student volunteers as part of the Football Futures club placement scheme.
Partnership outcomes:Growth through college/club partnerships:
! New U18’s team
! Growth of Team19 (21 male teams, 8 female teams) – the transition of players into local CS clubs has increased
! New college men’s 4th team.
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Project Results:! To provide ability appropriate exit routes and pathways with club links
! Help players realise their potential, develop personal skills and confidence
! To develop pathways for male U18 players to progress into reserve and 1st team football with Bridgwater Town FC. Therefore bridging the gap between U16’s and reserve team football and developing players that aren’t yet physically ready for senior football
! To o!er an exit route for young players released from local professional clubs, enabling them to stay in football and continue with their education
! To develop the next generation of local football volunteers, o!ering high quality opportunities for young students in coaching, refereeing, marketing, administration and catering
! To support and develop Bridgwater Town ‘fun days’ by o!ering local, FA qualified young volunteers the opportunity to support coaching days. Increase the exposure of such events through college links with the CCFC and SGO’s
! Bridgwater Town U18’s players link with Bridgwater College NVQ Gym Instructor students, to develop their own personalised training programme.
What is there still to be achieved? ! Recruit a new body of young volunteers to work alongside and support BTFC U18’s (this is an annual process
as students move on from the college into HE/employment)
! The possibility of drawing up a service level agreement to recognise and formalise the partnership in place
! Formalise the partnership with football provision in the Bridgewater area (4 feeder schools targeting Y9, Y10,U11). Pay for area representative team kit with Bridgwater College Panther logo (brand recognition). This will lead to a structured Talent Identification system for Bridgwater College and Bridgwater Town U18s (to be launched in 2013)
! College student coaching for U14s, U15s, U16s. The sessions act as a feeder for college and club teams (as Bridgwater Town FC is not linked with a youth club team)
! College students delivering football provision in local feeder schools as a means of developing a future workforce and identifying future college and U18 club players
! Ability Counts team created with college students, with the aim to integrate into Bridgwater Town FC and enter a team into the Ability Counts County League
! Formalise the partnership with professional clubs to use Bridgwater College as a training facility for match days (travelling and home teams) and also a hub for Professional Clubs’ Development/Satellite Centres.
Why is this good practice? ! Addresses current National Game Strategy around issues of retention, growth and development of
11-a-side football
! Creates more e!ective usage of local football facilities
! Provides e!ective playing pathways for male youth footballers in and out of education within the local community
! As a result of increased communication between BWC and BTFC issues of ‘over play’ for male college footballers are being addressed
! Opportunities for workforce development via coach education programmes to support and reinforce the club’s coaching and management systems
! Provision of a reliable and professional environment for young volunteers to develop their skills within an established football workforce
! The partnership provides a quality and safe introduction into senior football for talented young players.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for Sports Services, Bridgwater College Luke Buckingham, Sports Development Manager, Bridgwater College Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 01278 455464
CASE STUDIES
PROJECT TITLE: A partnership between Rockleaze Rangers FC and theUniversity of Bristol Football Club
Aim of project:
The principle aim was to develop and maintain a partnership with Rockleaze Rangers Charter StandardFC and the student footballing population from the University of Bristol, thus providing an extension tothe university’s player pathway and allowing opportunities for students to play Saturday football.
Tactics used:
! Agreement in place between the club and university over facility usage
! Development opportunities discussed and put in the action plan
! Player pathway created to encourage transition from the university into the club
! Link created for student referees to work across the university within intra-mural and Saturday club football.
Key partners:
Rockleaze Rangers FC has four teams regularly in action on a Saturday and the University of BristolFootball Club has five teams also providing regular competition. The advantage of this structure is thatthere are playing opportunities for the students whatever their ability level.
The university interacts with Rockleaze FC at a management level several times during a season, toreview the partnership at a strategic level. Operationally regular discussions between coachingrepresentatives from both parties take place on a weekly basis, to ensure university player needs as wellas that of each Rockleaze team are met.
Partnership outcomes:! Support the club’s FA Charter Standard status by providing local adult football for the
university community
! Sharing of good practice between the university and the club particularly in relation to coach development
! Improve league performance for both clubs
! Provide university students with local easily accessible football, coaching and refereeing opportunities
! End of year consultation – involving feedback from all parties (University Sports Development sta!,university and Rockleaze coaches and players and Coombe Dingle Facility sta!) to assess what is working and what needs to be improved to move the partnership forward.
Project Results:
! Since the university partnership was created three years ago Rockleaze F.C has developed three
new adult 11v11 teams and now operate five adult 11v11 teams in total
! The club has been able to attract quality players which has impacted upon league performance
! Prior to the partnership the club did not have a recognised home ground however, they now have a
base and play matches on quality pitches maintained by the university.
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University of Bristol perspective:! Improved student playing experience and enjoyment whilst contributing towards
growth and retention
! Improved individual and team performance
! Greater retention levels within university football
! Increased player personal development with students and players from the local community learning from one other, leading to greater player confidence and self-esteem.
Rockleaze Rangers FC perspective:The long-term objectives of the club have been based on the continued relationship between the two clubs, whichhas strengthened year-on-year. As a result the clubs have set the following combined aims:
! Places will be available to students of all abilities across the four Saturday sides, to o!er players the opportunity to develop socially, physically and tecnically
! To o!er a standard of football and football management to allow the players to improve, leading to tangible benefits to the university teams in BUCS
! To progress to become a single Saturday club with more students involved in the higher teams. This will also assist with the club’s goal to be the first team playing in Western League Football
! The club is looking to expand into Sunday league adult football due to the continued interests from university students.
“The partnership with the University of Bristol has really helped the club to attract new players and grow thenumber of adult teams we operate”. Ian McNally, Senior Secretary Rockleaze Rangers.
What is there still to be achieved? Continued and improved liaison is essential, accompanied with the notion of moving towards a more formal andwritten memorandum of understanding. With changes in volunteers and coaching personnel within Rockleaze FCand the university, getting around the table as often as possible really helps cement the link.
Why is this good practice? ! Ensuring more students aged between 18-25 are more active. Supporting more long-term behavioural
patterns and avoiding the 11-a-side drop o!
! Getting students out of their so called ‘student bubble’ and mixing with a more varied crowd of people has important secondary outcomes for self-development and increasing the university’s profile within the local community
! We believe that the partnership has helped players to improve and provide a smooth transition from university to community football, through a clearly defined player pathway creating a better level of enjoyment and challenge. As a university focused heavily on the development of players this is vital to us.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Robbie Fox, Sport Development O"cer, University of BristolEmail: [email protected]: 0117 3311006
CASE STUDIES
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PROJECT TITLE: The establishment and growth of Myerscough College CS Junior Football Development Club (JFDC)
Aim of the project:
Sta! based at Myerscough College Sports Centre initiated the project. The aim was to o!er junior footballcoaching to the local community, to fulfil an identified gap due to there being no local provision within afive-mile radius.
Tactics used:
The points below outline the key outcomes/tactics used, whilst establishing Myerscough College JuniorFootball Development Club:
! By o!ering structured coaching oportunities, the project increased participation in the local area, bringing children and families into the Myerscough College facilities
! Introduction of a club committee and constitution to provide a strategic steer
! Students at Myerscough college began coaching the teams with a parent representative as team manager
! Introduction of a 9v9 league hosted as a central venue to bring other teams to the college and enjoy its facilities.
Key partners:
Lancashire FA - The LFA o!er support to all grassroot clubs in terms of running and organising local footballopportunities. The provision of coach education courses to train parents and coaches has assisted withgrowing the capacity of the club and maintaining its Charter Standard status.
Myerscough College – Simon Gerrard (Academic) and Graham Lowe (sports centre) were the lead coacheswhen the project was initiated. After a successful period of coaching, a team was entered into the Wigan 5a-side league and Myerscough College JFDC was established in 1999. As the club expanded entry into the MidLancashire Colts League was applied for and granted in 2001. At this point, with the expansion of the college’sFoundation Degree, students were invited to volunteer and gain coaching experience.
In 2005 Myerscough College ran and hosted the first ever 9v9 league with eight teams entering. In 2013,twenty teams now compete in three di!erent leagues in all formats of football. The college girl’s section isheaded up by a former UCLAN (associate university) and has grown to three teams with over 35 registeredplayers. Myerscough College JFDC still continues to use students from both the college and the university andas a result of their involvement students are o!ered the opportunity to gain qualifications.
In terms of communication between the club and the college, Graham Atkinson (Academic) acts as the link andcommunicates with both parties to make sure the relationship continues to be e!ective. A regular committeemeeting and report to the college hierarchy is completed on a yearly basis to ascertain if there is any furthersupport or development the college can o!er to the club.
Myerscough College Junior Football Development Club – A service level agreement between the club and thecollege is in place. The agreement outlines the agreed reduced rate for pitch hire and the facilities are o!eredto the club on a first refusal basis. Maintenance responsibilities are also detailed outlining how the collegeground maintenance sta! will take the lead.
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Partnership outcomes:Initially the club started with a small number of teams but through sustained quality coaching and a plan todevelop all areas of football the club has grown. The local football community is also now aware of the highquality provision on o!er.
Myerscough College JFDC has access to high quality facilities at the college making it an attractive club foryoung players. A significant benefit for the college has been the way in which the club provides coachingexperience for students on their ‘doorstep’, which is also linked to college course requirements and signedo! by relevant tutors.
Project Results:Following thirteen years of development the club now has a full contingent of teams (male/female) enteredinto the Mid Lancashire Colts League and the Central Lancashire Junior Football League.
What is there still to be achieved? The club has recently had di"culty recruiting new parents, leaving students to take on roles of higherresponsibility and whilst this can provide valuable learning opportunities it can be o! putting for somestudents who simply want basic coaching experience. It may be necessary for the club to actively push forfurther parent volunteers in the near future.
Why is this good practice? The project has grown and is sustainable due to the constant introduction of young people (both male andfemale) from the local community to the college facilities. The younger players are introduced to the gameby way of fun activities and small-sided games, ensuring a consistent positive experience.
As the players mature and become members of a team, the club has a percentage participation policy tomaintain their status in the team and as a member of the club. This approach has always kept numbersquite high for training and reinforces the player’s commitment to the club.
The club and college have implemented a strategy to ‘buddy up’ and pass on the roles of the committee tothe team below by way of mentoring and mirroring. This approach ensures greater levels of sustainabilityand the sharing of experience/skills.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Graeme Atkinson, Tutor at Myerscough College
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01995 642166
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Creating an e"ective performance pathway with the support ofthe University of Bath and Bath Arsenal FCPROJECT TITLE:
Aim of the project:
The Department of Sports Development and Recreation (DSDR) has created a number of ‘partner clubs’ acrosssports, to support the pathway of development from basic movement skills, through a participation programmeexiting to community clubs. Once at this level, players are then encouraged to engage in NGB age group squadsand high performance sporting opportunities. The partnership between the University of Bath and Bath ArsenalFC is an example of one of these projects, which has led to the development of a comprehensive pathway foryoung footballers.
Tactics used:
Discussions were initiated between the key members of the club committee and DSDR regarding the benefits toboth parties. Similar existing examples were used showing partnerships in netball and athletics working in thesame way.
A legal contract was drawn up based on the benefits to both parties and the technicalities of facility usage, costand use of respective logos. This was initially a three year agreement where the community club took on the nameTeam Bath Arsenal FC.
During the first year, a member of DSDR sta! attended the monthly meetings of the committee of the partnerclub in a non-voting capacity to provide information, guidance and raise awareness of opportunities. The clubadopted the colours of Team Bath and student coaches were assigned to each of the age group teams, whichwere financed by the club. This full partnership approach was in place for a period of approximately four yearsuntil in recent seasons the community club has reverted back to the name Bath Arsenal FC but still continue tohave a facility agreement in place for hire of training space and match pitches.
Key partners:
Each of the headings referenced in the contract brought in additional partners or services within DSDR. Forexample, the student club managed the provision of qualified student coaches, whilst Somerset FA was involvedin both the education and development of club sta! and the club itself through Charter Standard. DSDR o!eredadditional benefits through the sports injury clinic, fitness suite membership and merchandise reductions. Therewere also discussions between the head football coaches of DSDR and the community club about the creation ofa training approach to be adopted by all teams throughout the club to develop individuals through their ageranges.
During the time of the legal contract there were monthly meetings with the club committee to discuss progressagainst the contract, new opportunities and issues that had arisen. At this current time, such communication nowexists between the club o"cer and the facility sales o"cer for use of the training environment and match pitches.
During the time of the legal contract, there were monthly meetings with the club committee to discuss areas ofthe contract, new opportunities and issues that had arisen. At this current time, that communication now existsbetween the club o"cer and the facility sales o"cer for use of the training environment and match pitches.
Partnership outcomes:
The community club, Bath Arsenal FC has ensured long-term access to facilities at a time where student demandis ever increasing, which has been an enduring success of the partnership. It is evident that there is and will alwaysbe opportunities to develop further with the provision of coaches, a coaching development plan, support servicesand parent’s are encouraged to access on-site facilities whilst waiting for their children, so they too can be active.
During the period of the formal partnership, there were additional benefits to student coaches who were gainingpractical experience of delivery and earning an income. Young players were benefiting from accessing the sportsinjury clinic at reduced rates. There were also opportunities for parents to gain access to the fitness suite or othermemberships at reduced rates.
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Project Results:
The community club has continued its focus on becoming a Chartered Standard club and hasdeveloped further links with other partners to ensure the growth and sustainability of the club. TheDSDR has continued its development of football as a pathway and has improved links with both BathCity FC and strengthened its link with Southampton FC.
Project costs/ value for money:The club were provided with a reduced rate for facility and pitch hire as a partner club and reductionsin rates for the sports injury clinic and membership. The DSDR benefitted from regular facility userswhilst the club had security of provision. Elements of the original contract were not financiallysustainable such as paying the student coaches. Volunteer opportunities do still exist but this hasresulted in less coaches being willing to get involved.
What is there still to be achieved? Due to personnel changes in the club committee and within DSDR, the formal partnership has not beenre-newed but the club is still hiring facilities from DSDR. DSDR are concentrating on partnerships withBath City FC and Southampton FC at di!erent sections of the pathway and may return to thecommunity club focus in time.
The experiences of the partnership have led to further work within DSDR on the partnership clubapproach with improvements being made on assessing clubs prior to an agreement being establishedand the ongoing assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the partnership over time.
Why is this good practice? This innovative approach is to attempt to create a multi-sport hub for a number of community clubs,football being one of them. This is the first step to encourage the clubs to consider similar themes suchas child safeguarding, fundraising, administration and how they can achieve these as a collective.
The good practice resulted from having a lead on both sides of the agreement who led the initialdiscussions and reached mutual benefits. Without a lead from both parties driving the agreement thelong-term sustainability of the project would be very di"cult.
The benefit to the university was the interaction with young members of the community, bringing themonto campus and engaging parents, which broke down a number of myths about the use of thefacilities and public access.
The benefit to the club was the security of access to facilities and the wide range of opportunities thisopened up including volunteers, coaches, sports injury support, additional memberships andmerchandise discounts. In this specific circumstance, a key benefit was the use of the nationallyrecognised Team Bath brand.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Greg Sharp, Sports Development Manager, University of BathEmail: [email protected]: 01225 386907
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PROJECT TITLE: The creation of Portsmouth University Community Football Club
Aim of the project:
! To build links with the local community through the creation of a community football club
! To create opportunities for students to develop as football coaches and be part of the local community through running their own football teams
! To fill the gap in girls football provision and create a player pathway for girls from under 10’s football into senior football
! Portsmouth University has recently established a student referee hub in partnership with The FA, Hampshire County FA and BUCS. The community club provides student referees with the opportunity to gain valuable experience refereeing youth football before moving into the adult game.
Tactics used:
The community club was initially created in partnership with Portsmouth City Council under an initiative todevelop girl’s football back in 2006. Portsmouth City Council Sports Development Unit was looking to establish agirl’s league and clubs in the city to feed into the league.
To help raise the profile of girl’s football in the city, university students were funded places on FA coachingcourses and placed in schools around the city. The university hosted a central venue schools league for girls fromyears 5 and 6 and as a result of the interest created an under 12 girl’s team.
Since establishing the U12 team additional age groups were added year-on-year and students began to take onthe role of running their own teams. One of the coaches coming through the programme expressed an interest inestablishing a boy’s team that he could run himself, as a result the club expanded to include a U10 boy’s team.
Currently the University of Portsmouth has six junior football teams within the community club, these include U10Boys and Girls, U11 Boys and Girls, U12 Boys and U13 Girls. Students and graduates from the University ofPortsmouth manage the teams. Both of the managers in the eldest boy’s and girl’s age groups run thePortsmouth College Football Academy. This is an area where we are looking to create further pathways.
In addition, the University of Portsmouth Senior Womens’ teams compete in Sunday football leagues, both teamsopen their doors to the community and there is a pathway for the younger girls to progress into senior football.
Key partners:
! The University of Portsmouth is currently working with Hampshire FA to fulfil its Charter Standard criteria and to develop a ‘referee hub’, which will further support junior football
! The university has worked with Portsmouth City Council Sports Development Unit, and for the past six years the council has funded the university to work with schools to create a girls football representation for the ‘Hampshire Games’ and as part of this we o!er coaching sessions and exit routes into our club
! The university works within the existing school sports framework, which replaced the School Sport Partnership, providing after-school support and PPA
! Working with Kickz provides further exit routes for girls within the national Kickz scheme if they wish to access structured football opportunities
! BUCS Football Development has been extremely supportive in establishing the link between the university and Hampshire County FA.
Partnership outcomes:Benefits to the University:! Raises the profile of the university within the local community
! Potential facility investment (proposed 3G development)
! The club provides the university with an outlet for students interested in coaching and refereeing in football.
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Benefits to students:! Long-term, supported roles where the students get the opportunity to develop their coaching skills and
progress to professional coaching positions post university
! Access to a range of FA coaching awards
! As a result of the university designing its own coaching infrastructure it is able to focus on areas important tothe university, for example it has developed a very e!ective mentoring system
! Students running teams have the added perspective of working with parents, providing a valuable experiencein managing relationships, which they may not otherwise access
! Links to paid working opportunities for students as a result of partnerships with Portsmouth College, private providers Kickz and coaching senior university teams
! Due to the university creating its own club it can work to its own coaching ethos and therefore have greater control over the experience of the student, ensuring that it is consistently positive
! Student referees have been deployed into the club and the referee hub is providing a constant recruitment ofnew student referees.
Benefits to the Community:! Facility access, training sessions and matches take place at the university campus
! The provision of girls’ teams has filled an identified gap in local provision
! Insight into university life for the local community, which will help with the recruitment of future students
! Access to expertise within university/student population such as physios, sports scientists and nutrionists.
Project Results:! The university engages with 80+ local young people on a weekly basis and is therefore able to build
long-standing meaningful relationships
! Students who become directly involved in coaching have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their role and we are able to retain them beyond university. For example, two of our Team Managers are graduates
! All students involved in team management have secured full-time or part-time roles in coaching/sports development or teaching
! The University of Portsmouth has been able to develop five youth teams through this project
! Approximately 35 students have gained new coaching qualifications in the past 12 months
! The university recently hosted an FA Small-Sided Referee Course, which was attended by 18 student referees.
Project costs/value for money:! Club members are asked to pay ‘subs’, this is a contribution towards the running costs of the club, pitch hire
and referee costs
! In 2012 the university secured £2,000 towards the development of the referee hub and small-sided intra mural football through the FA Small-Sided Development Fund
! The university has been piloting a student activator for BUCS who supports the development of the referee academy and the transition in the community club for student coaches and referees
! Funding for playing kit has been secured through sponsorship.
What is there still to be achieved? The community club are aiming to become FA Charter Standard working with the Hampshire FA. In addition thesuccess of the club relies heavily on getting the right people involved, we are constantly working to ensure allstudents who choose to coach football through the community club get a good experience and in turn showcommitment, not only to the club but to their own personal development.
We are now looking to establish a more robust coaching pathway, so that coaches are able to map out theirdevelopment. This will be supported by training and development opportunities.
In terms of player pathways we are looking to strengthen our links with Portsmouth College to ensure there is aneducational pathway for our young players.
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Why is this good practice? As a university we have a focus on student experience and being part of the community football club is away of enhancing student experience. For those interested in a career in coaching or sports development itis an opportunity to get the experience and knowledge they need, which in turn has a positive impact ontheir employability.
In terms of football development the university believes that the club plays a significant role in the localcommunity and fills an identified gap in local provision, especially where girls’ football opportunities areconcerned. Fifty percent of our coaches are female and we feel this has a positive influence on thee!ectiveness of our recruitment and retention of players.
As a club the university looks to develop people, whether this is our coaches or the children we come intocontact with and we feel this is a real strength. We encourage any coach working with young people tocomplete the FA Youth Modules as well as register for their FA Coaches’ Licence and undertake additionalCPD. As an example we recently o!ered all of our youth coaches the opportunity to undertake the SportsCoach UK ‘Coaching Children’ workshop.
As part of our future plans we are looking to set out a clear player pathway and potentially address theidentified 14-19 ‘drop out’ through links with local schools and colleges. We are also starting to focus onleadership opportunities for local young people, or for young people who have been part of the club. This isan area that we have already started to develop and we currently have four young females aged 14-19supporting our girls’ coaching sessions.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Charlotte Doyle, Senior Sports Development O"cer, University of PortsmouthEmail: [email protected] Tel: 02392 843761
To view live updates related to Portsmouth University Community Football Club:http://www.upforsport.co.uk/index.php/football/
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PROJECT TITLE: The establishment of a club-link between Team Solent FCand Oakwood Juniors FC
Aim of the project:
To establish an o"cial and all-encompassing club-link partnership, between Team Solent FC and Oakwood Juniors FC,supported by Southampton Solent University.
Tactics used:
Initially the partnership was based around facility usage and the links the university were looking to develop whenplanning a new football facility in the community. During the early stages of developing the link, each club workedtowards achieving ‘Charter Standard’ with both parties o!ering positive contributions to the respective applications.
The facility (Test Park) is now operational and both football clubs are fully utilising the fantastic ‘on and o!’ pitchfacilities. A joint committee has been established that drives the development of the partnership and the final stages ofthe formal link are being clarified via discussions around sharing and combining ‘Team Names’ and kit colours etc.
A formal facility agreement is in place between the university and Oakwood FC, which outlines the allocation of facilityusage and annual hire fees.
Key partners:
Southampton Solent University: Provided the funding to build and develop the Test Park Facility (£3.5 Million).
Team Solent FC: A Charter Standard club, which is the competitive arm of Solent University. A student based team thatplays in the Wessex League. The club has it’s own constitution and club committee.
Oakwood Juniors FC: A Charter Standard club that plays and trains at the Test Park Sports Facility. The club membersshare the same discounted rates for the facility and bar as Team Solent FC. Usage is agreed on an annual basis and ajoint Solent and Oakwood club committee exists and meets three times a year to drive the future development of thepartnership.
Hampshire FA: Professional advice and on-going support was provided throughout the facility build and to support thedevelopment of the club partnership. The CFA supported both clubs when they were working towards CharterStandard and provided local coach education opportunities.
BUCS: Professional advice and support was gained from the Football Development Manager. Team Solent FC wereaccredited as a ‘BUCS Focus Club’ in 2008 and are currently working towards accreditation to become a ‘Focus HubSite for Coaching’. BUCS also provided some funding opportunities for Team Solent and professional developmentopportunities for students. Team Solent meet with BUCS approximately four times a year.
Partnership outcomes:Collectively the clubs have been sustaining and increasing their club membership base. Both teams are alsoprogressing in their respective leagues and have been sharing the facility in an amicable manner.
Specific benefits to Solent FC: Player recruitment via the junior pathway is working e!ectively. For example, playerswithin Oakwood FC are leaving at U18 to play for Team Solent FC. It has also been noted that a number of OakwoodJunior FC players are choosing Solent University as their choice for academic studies. Once playing for Solent FCstudents have the opportunity to gain work/coaching experience within the Oakwood Junior FC set up, which assistswith developing additional skills for future employment opportunities.
Solent University gains regular income for facility hire. As a result of the links developed between the two clubs andthe university a positive working relationship has been established. Such relations have assisted with extending theuniversity’s presence within the local community.
Benefits to Oakwood FC: The club gains access to high standard facilities for training and playing, providing an eliteenvironment for youth players to develop. The established football team and link to Solent FC provides a pathway foraspiring young players. The club has a secure and safe facility that they can call ‘HOME’. Both clubs also have theopportunity to access other university facilities and functions such as the Strength and Conditioning High PerformanceGym and physiotherapy support.
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Project Results:! Joint fundraising activities successfully implemented
! Oakwood Junior FC players act as ‘Ball Boys’ for the Team Solent FC Wessex League home games
! Joint club presentation evenings and end of season awards
! FA Charter Standard achieved by both clubs
! The university currently operates the Southampton School Sports Partnership
! Hampshire FA has based the FA Tesco Skills Team at the university and use the university link with the Southampton Schools Sports Partnership to signpost players into Oakwood F.C
! The development of the BUCS Focus Coaching hub will support the recruitment and training of student coaches who will then be able to support the school and club football sessions.
What is there still to be achieved? ! To combine both club’s name and team kits/colours. Team Solent U12, U13’s etc.
! To explore joint funding bids to further develop the facility and surrounding grass areas
! Potentially the university may establish a more formal Service Level Agreement with Oakwood FC, if the club’s name and kit/colours are combined. Such an agreement could also outline facility hire fees over a longer period of time, providing greater security for Oakwood FC
! To develop a joint proposal for future sponsorship.
Why is this good practice? The project contributes towards all strands of the National Games Strategy and there are clear benefits beinggained by both parties. It’s ‘developing the game’ and providing playing opportunities for a wide range of abilitiesfrom grass roots to ‘FA Step 5’ and covers age and gender categories.
Finally by o!ering coaching opportunities to students provides greater resource/capacity for Oakwood Junior FC,whilst also developing the coaching skills of the students.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:
Matt Bishop, Sports Development Manager at Southampton Solent University
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 02380 319125
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The development of a club link between Telford College ofArts and Technology (TCAT) and Nova FC
Aim of the Project:
To develop and grow an e!ective working partnership between Nova FC CS Club and Telford College, to sustainplayer and volunteer pathways (including both coaches and referees).
Tactics used:
The project was initiated as a result of a number of players and young leaders approaching the College andCommunity Football Coordinator (CCFC) based at Telford College, for information about any local clubs in theirarea (which was Newport). The CCFC in partnership with Shropshire FA reviewed suitable clubs in the area andNova FC was identified as a club providing high quality coaching, within a safe and enjoyable environment.
Currently three players are involved in the club’s U18 system and one player (from the college’s ‘Travel to Learn’programme) is within the U16’s. In addition to playing opportunities two young leaders support coaches basedat the club and the college is committed to supporting Nova FC with any players or young volunteers based inthe area.
Key actions taken:
! The CCFC actively signposts players who do not belong to a club to Nova FC (age ranges between U15 to U18’s)
! Young football volunteers support Nova FC by helping to run teams, referee or take on administration roles within the club
! The college is planning to provide a suitable venue for future holiday football schemes hosted by Nova FC
! The college provides support with promotional materials the club may require
! There are plans to support the development of a female team in 2013/14
! Plans are being put in place to develop a Referee Academy.
Key partners:
! Nova CS Football Club – main contact (Luke Shelly, Football in the Community O"cer, Committee memberand Referee coordinator)
! Telford College of Arts and Technology (TCAT) – main contact (Lewis Taylor, CCFC for BCS and The FA)
! Shropshire Football Association – main contact (Andy Baker, Football Development O"cer)
Regular meetings take place between the above three organisations to review progress to date and discussfuture plans. This approach ensures communication channels are maintained and any issues can be dealt withas and when they arise.
Partnership outcomes:Since the initiation of the partnership between the college and the club a number of players and young leadersare now actively involved at Nova FC. Due to the success witnessed in such a short space of time, there arenow plans to establish a female U17/U18 team.
Young leaders have been assigned to mentors within the club who will support them with their development.Although the club’s facilities are to a high standard, to enhance this further the CCFC where possible will alsosupport the club with access to additional equipment via vouchers from the British College Sports and TheFootball Association.
There are plans in place to establish a Referee Academy based at Telford College using young leaders that arepart of the Student Management Team. It is anticipated that Nova FC will also support and develop strong linkswith the Referee Academy once in place.
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Project costs/ value for money:Currently there are no costs associated with the project, however once the female team and referee academy aredeveloped there will be some financial implications that will need to be considered.
What is there still to be achieved? The establishment of a Referee Academy – based at Telford College, using SMT and young leaders within the clubto fund young volunteers through their Basic Referees course. In return the newly qualified referees will be askedto referee games for their own teams, whilst the college will cover initial training/facility costs, which has beenidentified as a barrier by previous students.
Nova FC Female U17/18 Team – the CCFC will support the club with the recruitment of female players from TelfordCollege and provide volunteers/sta! to assist with the running of the team. The establishment of this team willprovide much needed provision for female football opportunities in the locality.
Why is this good practice? Although a simple concept the project is recognised as good practice, as a result of achieving a number ofoutcomes as detailed below:
! Workforce – the introduction of young volunteers into Nova FC to build long-term capacity
! Growth and Retention – of both players and volunteers within the club and young referees that will be supported by the planned Academy
! Raising Standards – the mentor system in place helps to maintain and where required raise standards of coaching. Whilst the Referee Academy will provide the necessary training and support to ensure all young leaders are fully qualified prior to o"ciating at games
! Running the Game – young leaders are not only taking on coaching and o"ciating roles, but are also being encouraged to assist with the running of Nova FC from an administration perspective.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Lewis Taylor, CCFC at Telford College of Arts & Technology (TCAT)
Email: [email protected]: 0785 0774369
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PROJECT TITLE:Increasing the use of Northumbria University’s sports facilities, developing local CS Clubs links and engaging sta" andstudents in volunteering opportunities.
Aim of the project:
! To increase the use of the university’s sport facilities and extend community engagement
! To provide authentic opportunities for sta! and students to engage in volunteering on-site.
Tactics used:
The university was awarded Football Foundation funding in 2005 to develop its Coach Lane facilities. A numberof Charter Standard clubs were involved as partners, which gave them long term access to the facilities at areduced partner rate. The clubs are still using the facility, alongside other Charter Standard clubs, which havestarted hiring the pitches. Students and sta! also work as volunteers with some of these clubs.
There is a Football Development Plan in place that outlines the work of the university with such clubs and thewider football community. The plan is reviewed quarterly in partnership with Northumberland FA.
Key partners:
Northumbria University – runs its own Northern League and also signposts players into these clubs. The universityruns a structured volunteering programme (involving approximately 200 students) and an internship programmesupports the club links in place where relevant.
Charter Standard Clubs – Approximately eight Charter Standard clubs gain access to the university’s facilities andthose previously recognised as ‘partner clubs’ are charged at a reduced rate. The clubs can also access otherareas of support from the university such as: physiotherapy, guidance on funding bids and access to universityPerformance Scholarships for talented players.
Northumberland FA - supports the partnership by providing advice/support at the quarterly meetings referencedabove. The NFA have previously provided strategic guidance on the development and submission of capitalfunding projects including the Football Foundation bid for the facilities at Coach Lane and a more recent StadiumImprovement Grant. A number of the university students also access the NFA’s local Football Futures Volunteering Programme.
Partnership outcomes:
! Many clubs have been using the facility for a number of years, with additional clubs still being encouraged to access the university’s facilities
! There is on-going communication between the facility sta! and the clubs, ensuring any operational issues aredealt with in a prompt and amicable manner
! The centre has become a ‘community hub’ for both male and female CS clubs
! The university encourages talented young people within the clubs to become students
! Students and sta! provide volunteer coaching to a number of the clubs, providing authentic volunteering opportunities for those involved, whilst also assisting with building capacity within the club structures.
Dependent on the nature of the partnership in place between the clubs and the university in some circumstances,agreements are in place denoting facility arrangements and/or volunteer recruitment/support.
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What is there still to be achieved?
! There is a plan to increase community access even further by extending the number of clubs linked to the university
! The university is currently reviewing its facilities and will take advice from The FA about the demand from community clubs and the need to provide facilities for alternative versions of the game (e.g. 9 v 9).
Why is this good practice?
! The university is playing a key role in providing facilities/development support for community CS clubs and ‘opening up its doors’ to local young people
! The clubs linked to the university gain far more than simply access to facilities, additional support is also provided in the form of advice, scholarships, physiotherapy and volunteers working at an operational level within the clubs
! The university is providing a high quality ‘community hub’ facility for football in the locality.
Contact Details of Lead O!cer who delivered the project:Sue Vout, Sport Development and Engagement Manager, Northumbria UniversityEmail: [email protected] Tel: 07866 978805
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Ac k n ow l e d g eme n t sOur thanks go out to all students, sta!, colleges, universities, clubs, county football associationsand local partner organisations, who have been involved in the delivery and documentation ofthese projects.
National Delivery Partners
The delivery of these projects has been made possible through the partnership work andsupport of the following organisations:
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