Community Club Partnerships: Increasing student opportunities

through local partnerships

Presented By Sid FletcherSports Development Manager

University of Chichester Students’ Union

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University of Chichester¨ South coast of England, near Portsmouth! ¨ 5000 students-Smallest in England! ¨ 25% students on sports related degrees¨ 2 campuses Chichester & Bognor ¨ 20 Clubs¨ 35 competitive teams ¨ 2 FT Development staff ¨52nd in BUCS 2011/12 ¨5 formal local Club partnerships

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Case study 1-Chichester RFC¨ Pre 2004-05 Men’s Club trained 18 miles from Chichester ¨ Low training Numbers¨ Club in rut still weighed down by past glories¨ Women’s Club training facilities inadequate on campus, no

coach other than captain

Action- Club/SDM meeting identify Club needs -Men- Closer training facilities & in need of a fresh start-Women- Urgent need of closer training facilities & a coach

Action-Identified local Club Chichester RFC as viable training option. Set up meeting

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Chichester RFC ¨ Male Players, Fresher's Fair & access to University Astroturf

offered as incentive.

Outcome- Chichester RFC agree to both University Clubs using there training pitches & Club house for 3 hours on a Monday. Women gain 2 voluntary coaches from Club.

As a result both Clubs benefit, with a number of University players moving across to play for Chichester RFC at weekends.

Good numbers at training

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Chichester RFC ¨ 2005/06¨ University Club Committee/SDM/Chichester RFC meet to

progress links¨ Chichester RFC appoint Director of Rugby, offer Men’s Club his

services as Level 4 coach and 3 £500 player bursaries to play for Chichester RFC

Action-Club Committee & SDM counter with £1500 for 15 players playing for Chichester RFC’s various teams & Director Coaches both Men & Women’s Clubs -Agreed, with Service Level Agreement safeguarding Wednesday afternoon protection for players. Chi RFC free Fresher’s Fair table

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Chichester RFC¨ Outcome

-Chichester RFC attend Fresher’s Fair-Free facility exchange-12 regular students play for Chichester RFC at weekends -Sponsorship figure is reduced, however still a success-Men’s 1st Team struggle, 2nd Team better season in SESSA-Women excel winning SE1A, and playoff to reach Premiership

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Chichester RFC ¨ 2006-11 Summary -Director of Rugby/Club coaches providing link for partnership alongside SDM. -Sponsorship/Training ensures good numbers at both Clubs-Chichester RFC Club house host end of season dinner both Men/Women -HERDP Funding-Women’s 1st Team reach Championship Semi-final -Men’s 2nd Team entered into BUCS -Chichester students coaching in local Club -Briefly established Women’s Team at Chichester RFC -Bognor RFC became another partner

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Chichester RFC -Men’s 1st Team secure league & cup double -Both University teams performing well, training numbers high-Increased relationship with Sussex RFU -Chichester RFC increasing use of pitch at weekends

All good then? ¨ Sponsorship lasted 2 years ¨ Partnership at it’s most strained¨ Training facility pressures ¨ Link between Clubs missing ¨ SU Club taken partnership & free facilities for granted

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Chichester RFC-Summary ¨ Mutual free facilities ¨ Access to coaches¨ Funding advice support-HERDP ¨ Club house access for Dinners ¨ Additional training opportunities for students ¨ Reduced membership fees for students ¨ Sponsorship ¨ Enhanced Team performances

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Worthing Thunder

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Worthing Thunder Basketball ¨ 2008/09-Club President of Men’s Basketball approach SDM with desire to approach Worthing Thunder Basketball Club -Club had a number of good players, but limited infrastructure but desire to play at a higher level

Action-Set up meeting with Head Coach of WT, SDM & Club President no agenda -Identified potential collaboration through National League Team based at University, pathway between talented juniors & professional playing in Sussex. Coaching placements, Sport Science support

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Worthing Thunder -SDM researched HEI initiatives, set up meeting with market leaders Worcester University -Working document and meetings progressed, resulting in a 5 page memorandum document for Worthing Thunder, University & Worthing College.

Outcome-2009/10 University of Chichester Thunder was created entering into EB Division 4 South West, made up of University, WC, Externals. -Players received up to 3 training sessions a week, 2 games -13 wins out of 16 in debut season,9/10 wins in BUCS & Promotion -Placements within University National League Team-Exhibition game with Worthing Thunder

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Worthing Thunder ¨ 2010/11-3 year development plan focused around Performance, Community, HE Pathways, & playing pathways -2nd BUCS team created and entered, biggest number of players ever due to increased publicity-Nursery agreement with WT agreed, 2 players moving across-Friendlies played with local colleges, 3 vs. 3 competition -Website launch http://www.worthingthunder.net/content/uochistory -students on level 2 coaching awards -BUCS 1st team 2nd in 1A, BUCS Trophy Finalists, 2nd team consolidated -2 games played before WT BBL matches -2nd placed finish in NL

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Worthing Thunder-Future ¨ Increased profile through Touring teams, exhibition games ¨ More work with WT Juniors current U18 National Champions¨ Increased students on structured placements such as Hoops for

Health¨ Kids coaching in Chichester run by University Club ¨ Women’s Basketball developed ¨ Joint preseason camps between Clubs

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Worthing Thunder ¨ “First it’s a great way to spread a positive image of the University throughout the basketball community. It's been

going for years now, the first year was extremely successful when we were unsure what to expect. For me personally it helped me develop as a player and helped me raise my game for the BUCS competition as most of the national league players on the same level with the better players in BUCS. So it is great to help progress along the BUCS side as well and to keep that a successful team.

 The programme itself is so potentially valuable to Sussex basketball as myself playing junior national league from the age of 12-18 after under 18's there is nowhere for players to play or go unless heading to university or play local league which the level is not great. This team could be that missing link and the next step for players finishing under18's national league.

 Simon Parsons BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science 2008-11

 “Working with the University of Chichester Thunder basketball team has given me a valuable insight into the workings of a national level sporting environment, and has enabled me to test my skills within a pressured environment. The experience gained from working with the team will no doubt put me in good stead should I continue to work within elite sport."

 Ben Chambers BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy 2008-11

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Issues¨ External Clubs “Talent Picking”¨ Breakdown in Communication between partners¨ Clubs taking partnership for granted¨ Bogged down in internal politics

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Club Partnership Benefits¨ Increased playing opportunities ¨ Discounted membership rates¨ Placement opportunities¨ Increased facility access¨ Enhancement of local sports clubs¨ Increased financial opportunities¨ Enhance the University reputation within the community¨ Recruiting tool for the University¨ External Funding opportunities ¨ Equipment/Kit ¨ Expertise

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Key Principles ¨ Identify needs & wants ¨ Sustainable Club (Both SU & External) ¨ Open minded approach ¨ Safeguard student interest-SLA’s ¨ Good working relationship with University Depts.¨ Review annually ¨ Staff continuity ¨ Research ¨ Know your University/SU

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Any Questions