The Guernsey Sports Commission’s quality assurance scheme for clubs and organisations – SportsMark - is exceeding targets with 25 sports accredited since it was introduced a year ago.
Any organisation displaying the SportsMark logo will have provided the Commission with evidence of high standards of welfare and safeguarding.
This includes being well managed with appropriate corporate governance, sound financial practices, qualified coaches, a coaching strategy and an overall development plan.
Steve Sharman, the Commission’s Relationship Director, who has overall responsibility for the accreditation scheme, said: “We are extremely heartened by the fantastic response from our clubs and organisations who have fully embraced the SportsMark initiative.
“When we launched this a year ago, we set ourselves the ambitious target of getting all our member sports to achieve the standard within three years. We have 51 member sports and, so far, nearly half have already been awarded SportsMark within the first year of operation.
“That’s great progress and we’re continuing to work with our remaining member sports to support them to reach the standard”.
Pictured: SportsMark helps to identify organisations which work closely with the Guernsey Sports Commission and meet high standards.
Mr Sharman said that his role as Relationship Director has allowed him to engage with the Commission’s member sports to bring the SportsMark initiative “alive”.
“I’ve learnt so much about so many people and organisations and the tremendous work they do. It’s giving me a real insight into the significant role sport plays in our community,” he said.
“Where sport is now, and where it was in terms of organisations being the best they can be on any given day, has taken a big step forward. Our sports are really embracing SportsMark and they are proud that achieving the standard shows the community that they are playing their part in keeping the island safe.”
The Guernsey Sailing Trust is one of the sporting organisations which has recently been awarded SportsMark.
The Trust's Sailing Development Officer, Clare Chapple, said the process to gain the accreditation was simple and straightforward.
Pictured: Members of the Guernsey Sailing Trust can often be seen on the water off the island’s east coast.
“Running a safe, fun and inclusive sailing centre is very important to all of our staff and this award gives parents and carers who entrust their children to us the reassurance they need, regardless of how much sailing knowledge they have,” said Ms Chapple.
“We are proud to deliver high standards of coaching, welfare, equality and management at the Guernsey Sailing Trust, which is recognised by this award.”
The leadership and governance of sport remains a priority workstream for the Commission. Mr Sharman said work is continuing to ensure there is adequate safeguarding and training in place at each member sport.
“It’s not about us telling sports what to do," he said. "It’s about working with them to understand their role and supporting them to identify where the gaps are so that they feel confident where they are and how they can continue to develop and improve."
Pictured (top): Steve Sharman, Relationship Director at the Guernsey Sports Commission.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.