Towards the end of last year, we had a fantastic surge of accreditations and finished with over 4,750 Clubmark accredited clubs. The numbers of clubs working towards also continues to rise with over 4,300 currently on the books. And so, with all your efforts, we now have over 10,000 clubs involved in the accreditation process.

2009 will be a busy year for the Clubmark team, focussing on re-licensing, external verification, supporting delivery of NGB Whole Sport Plans and not to mention the launch of the new Clubmark Charter. You can read more about this in the "did you know" piece below.

Next month, we will look at how Clubmark accreditation has led to increases in participation. If you have a story to share on this topic, just email the details to features@clubmark.org.uk and you could have your own bi-line in our next edition.

Thank you for your continued support on Clubmark.

Parents praise swim21 accreditation

Parents have given their almost universal backing to swim21 - the asa's club accreditation scheme - for maintaining ‘standards of excellence within swimming.'

In the first survey of its kind, 89% of parents said that it was important or very important for their child to be involved in a club with swim21 status. Two thirds of parents also said swim21 accreditation would influence which club they would send their child to. 

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40th Volley 123 Accredited Club and a First for Yorkshire

http://www.clubmark.org.uk/files/images/York%20VC-LPV.jpgYork VC has become the 40th club to achieve Clubmark/Volley 123 accreditation ensuring Volleyball England has met another Sport England Key Performance Indicator (KPI) well in advance of the final deadline of March 2009. York VC achieving Volley 1 also means that volleyball now has at least one accredited club in every region, as they are the first club to achieve accreditation in Yorkshire.

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Lowestoft club opens its doors to young members

Lowestoft Sub Aqua Club is celebrating this month after receiving the news that it's been awarded the nationally recognised Clubmark status.

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Spotlight on

...From inspirational club members that give up their time to establish quality assured junior sections to staff from licensed organisations that recognise the value of Clubmark in developing high quality, welcoming environments for young people.

If you know of someone who deserves a mention, please download the Spotlight on nomination form, answer a few simple questions and email the details to features@clubmark.org.uk.

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Did you know...

... we've introduced a Clubmark Charter  more and more local authorities and other leisure operators recognise Clubmark clubs, offering discounted facility hire and priority bookings slots as well as assembling bespoke benefits packages incorporating free or reduced cost access to courses.

We have designed a new Clubmark Charter to encourage all local authorities, SSPs, schools and other agencies to define and embed their support for Clubmark. This clear, simple template document provides a range of typical benefits that will be adopted and supplemented with additional elements as required.

We are keen to drive national adoption of policies and practical implementation measures such as those listed in the new Clubmark Charter to reward the 10,000 clubs that are currently accredited or working towards Clubmark. But more importantly we hope it will inspire many other clubs to achieve the national quality stamp of approval.

Bernie Jones, Chief Executive of Trafford Community Leisure Trust believes that clubs are the very heart of community sport and by working with the clubs to achieve Clubmark it can ensure that the residents of Trafford get the best possible opportunities to take part in quality sport.

The Trust firmly believes that by working in true partnership with the quality clubs then everyone can benefit and that is why it offers a variety of incentives for clubs to works towards or achieve Clubmark.

Bernie said, "The Trust has 54 accredited clubs, with another similar number working towards accreditation and I believe the clubs have played an important part in increasing the Active People participation levels in Trafford to 29.2%, which are amongst the top 10 most active communities within the UK. True partnership means working together and sharing the benefits. By giving our clubs a little, our community has benefitted significantly."

More information can be found on the Clubmark website