Neighbourhood Services
Leisure Development Services
NEW SPORTING FUTURES PROJECT
Introduction
The New Sporting Futures Project is jointly funded by East
Ayrshire Council, sportscotland, New Opportunities Fund, East Ayrshire
Coalfield Area Social Inclusion Partnership and the Tackling Drugs Misuse
Fund.
The project focuses primarily upon the inclusive development
and active recreation and the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices among
the population of young people in East Ayrshire.
Children aged 5 - 12 years benefit via the provision of
sports activity sessions both at school and in the community.
Young people aged 12 - 18 can take advantage of a variety
of sports related services offered by the projects two Youth Sport Development
Officers and the Club, Coach and Volunteer Development Officer.
New Sporting Futures places particular emphasis on creating
more equitable participation in sport among specific target groups, such
as teenage girls and young people at risk through youth crime or drug/alcohol
abuse. The project will develop effective ways to create sustainable sporting
infrastructures, especially in areas of social and economic deprivation.
Widening Opportunities
The New Sporting Futures Project is seeking to provide those who do not
normally become involved in sport the opportunity to do so by offering
the following services:
- School and community based sports coaching and festivals for primary
school children via the Activity Motivation Initiative and the National
TOP Play/TOP Sport and School Sport Co-ordinator Programmes
- Delivery of sports coaching to young peoples groups
- Provision of physical activity in sports programmes specifically targeting
teenage girls
- Delivery of a stimulating range of sporting activities which will
act as an alternative to youth crime and drug alcohol misuse e.g. night-time
sports leagues
- Opportunities for young people to become involved in the delivery
of sport via the Junior and Community Sports Leader programme
- Provision of sports related placements and advice on careers/education
for sport
- Links to sports clubs and organisations for prospective participants
and volunteers
- Creation of new or satellite sports clubs where required
- Production of a referral scheme for agencies, groups or organisations
to put young people in touch with the New Sporting Futures Project
Developing Potential
The New Sporting Futures Project places a particular focus on developing
the potential of young athletes within East Ayrshire. The project recognises
the tremendous effort made by the Physical Education Departments within
secondary schools, School Sport Co-ordinators and the army of voluntary
sports clubs operating within the authority and is seeking to build on
these efforts in order to help talented young athletes reach their full
potential in sport. The services offered include the following:
- Identification of "priority sports" for East Ayrshire in
line with existing provision. Year one priority sports are athletics,
badminton, curling, girl's football, rugby and volleyball.
- Provision of sports specific development officers where possible.
Currently there is a Rugby Development Officer.
- Establishment of development and performance squads for each priority
sport.
- Production of talent identification procedures.
- Capacity building within local sports clubs.
- Coach education and support.
- Coach mentoring and scholarships.
- Links to the National Coaching Network.
- Funding advice for sports clubs and individual athletes.
- Development of pathways to the West Area Institute of Sport and on
to the Scottish Institute of Sport.
Partnerships
|
