EMLEY CC AND CLUBMARK
by Chris Knowles

The information evening held at the Wentworth pub highlighted the key areas of Emley’s proposal for Clubmark status. Clubmark is a national accreditation which recognises and rewards sports clubs that operate their junior section with successful organisation and leadership.

Once acquired, a vast array of funding sources become available to help with everyday running of the junior set-up or to maximise a certain aspect of the club. In the case of Emley Clarence, the financial support will benefit and contribute to a new clubhouse which has been designed and permission for building obtained. The sources which could offer funding include the National Lottery, Sport England - a public body working closely with the Government to distribute sporting funds - plus banks and even local councils.

The areas which Clarence will be assessed on will range from duty of care and safeguarding children, which covers the organisation and safety of young people, to the programme of cricket on offer and the level of coaching that is available to children. Assessment will also cover whether or not Clarence are operating on an equal opportunities basis.

Parents’ involvement is a key element to the success of the juniors and Emley welcome and encourage parents to become involved or maintain their involvement in the club. The Clubmark assessment may also take into account the views of parents who work closely with the club in order to gain an all-round perception of the set-up.

As expected, organisation is a huge aspect of the Clubmark accreditation and there are many different criteria which have to be established. For example, the quality of registers being taken at training sessions, or the ‘in case of an accident’ procedure and the amount of emergency numbers the coaches would have in their possession.

In the forthcoming 2008 season, there will be more emphasis on the level of coaching on offer rather than simply playing matches throughout the session. For example, the club have said that, to facilitate the progression of the children through the respective age groups, more training and technique is needed to improve quality. Often, players are moved from the under-15s category and placed in the 2nd XI senior team and the improvement in quality at a younger age will help bridge the gap in the future.

There is a signing-on day for all juniors at the club on the 5 April 2008. There are also a number of places in the local area offering indoor nets in the lead-up to the new season:

• Shelley College on Saturday afternoons 1pm–2.30pm for 8-13-year-old children and 2.30pm-4pm for 14-17-year-olds.
• Colne Valley High School on Sunday afternoons 3pm-4.30pm for 8-13-year-olds and 4.30pm-6.00pm for over-13s.

The price is £2 for each child and it is advised that own equipment is taken.
Chris Knowles Articles