Welcome To South Yorkshire Sport

Sport England recognises and values the commitment made by sports clubs to develop high quality, welcoming environments for young participants. The development of clubs that encourage young people to take-up sport, improve their talents, possibly play a leadership role and give them the option to initiate and maintain life-long participation in sport is an essential part of supporting the sporting infrastructure in England.

Clubmark was introduced in 2002 by Sport England to:

• Ensure that accrediting partners apply core common criteria to ensure that consistent good practice and minimum operating standards are delivered through all club development and accreditation schemes.
• To empower parent(s)/carer(s) when choosing a club for their children.
• To ensure that Clubmark accredited clubs are recognised through a common approach to branding.
• To provide a focus around which all organisations involved in sport can come together to support good practice in sports clubs working with children and young people.

Clubmark accreditation is awarded to clubs that comply with minimum operating standards in four areas:

• The playing programme
• Duty of care and safeguarding and protecting children and young people
• Knowing your club and its community
• Club management

Benefits of Clubmark

As a single, national standard, Clubmark gives sports clubs of all types structure and direction. Clubs awarded Clubmark have seen many tangible benefits, such as:

Club development -The foundation for any club is its youth structure. By encouraging and attracting young members, it is building a strong future.

Increased membership - Addressing issues like equity and child protection gives parents confidence when choosing a club for their children.

Developing coaches and volunteers - As part of Clubmark, clubs receive help in developing the skills of those involved in their organisation.

Raised profile - Once Clubmark accredited, clubs will be listed on a national database and in other directories, to help them attract new members and grow.

Not forgetting the most important reason of all - the positive impact Clubmark has on the way in which clubs think about and provide for young people!!

You can download the Clubmark Information Sheet here (In the download file)

Which Clubs can apply for Clubmark?

Clubmark is normally only awarded through the National Governing Bodies of sports that are licensed. There are currently 31 National Governing Bodies that are licensed to award Clubmark:

If your National Governing Body is:

A)   Not one of the above National Governing Bodies

B)   Recognised by Sport England – You can check at http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/recognised_sports.aspx

Then good news, you can apply for Clubmark through South Yorkshire Sport.

Applying for Clubmark through South Yorkshire Sport

If you have checked above that your National Governing Body is not a licensed organisation then you can apply for Clubmark through South Yorkshire Sport. In order to register your interest please e-mail stuart.rogers@sysport.co.uk

On receipt of a club registering their interest, the club contact will be sent a Clubmark pack detailing all the information required to work towards achieving Clubmark.

Don’t worry though we are here to help and can support you and your club through the Clubmark Process.