Clubmark

Clubmark is a scheme designed to encourage safe participation of children and young people in sport.

Clubmark news latest: Clubmark status now open to all

(April 2013)

Recent changes to Clubmark – Sport England’s standard to encourage safe participation in sport – mean that clubs that do not have a junior section can now apply for the accreditation.

Previously Clubmark was only applicable to BSAC clubs who actively work with children and young people and since 2007 BSAC has been one of 32 governing bodies to accredit the award.

The award of Clubmark to a club means that they have a set of policies and procedures in place that manage safety and welfare of young or vulnerable members. Increasingly, as well as parents or guardians, local authorities and grant-awarding bodies look for the Clubmark accreditation in sporting clubs.

With the changes, Clubmark is now open to all to apply. So if you are a BSAC-affliated club that teaches snorkelling or diver training but do not want the Junior membership, you can register for the award.

There have also been updates to the Clubmark course requirements which are applicable to all BSAC clubs in England.

Background to BSAC and Clubmark

The scheme is built around the concepts of structured training by qualified instructors, safely managed opportunities to take part, good communications within a branch and steps to attract new members.

Each of these aspects is divided into a number of criteria that a branch must meet to gain the Clubmark accreditation.

Since 2007 BSAC has been administering Clubmark for scuba, snorkel and octopus clubs. We have produced a guide to getting started that details the steps through the process and has links to the relevant support materials. Each branch that registers through BSAC HQ for the scheme will be assigned a mentor who can personally advise them on any aspect of the scheme and will work with them until they are accredited. Clubmark accreditation is held for three years, with annual self declaration checks to ensure standards are maintained.

Clubmark accreditation shows that your branch is well run, follows BSAC training and diving guidelines and has an open and welcoming approach to new members, especially juniors. However, the benefits of attaining Clubmark will be noticed by all the members in a branch. The Branch Officers’ Handbook provides a variety of very useful suggestions for running a branch, but Clubmark sets standards for the level of communications, planning of training and diving and forward planning that indicate a well-run branch.

We look forward to welcoming your branch into the growing number of Clubmark branches.

For more information about the BSAC Clubmark scheme, email membership@bsac.com or visit www.clubmark.org.uk

Clubmark Information Pack

BSAC have produced an Information Pack to help guide BSAC clubs striving to achieve Clubmark. To request your pack, please contact sandrac@bsac.com