9.6 Young People in Sport

12 May 2009

Junior Club Development

Sports organisations have a vital role to play in providing sporting opportunities for young people, and vice versa; young people have a vital role in providing the future success and development of sports organisations.

In most sports it is crucial to the success of the organisation that they attract and encourage young players. However, all NGBs are unique and not every organisation may feel that a junior section is appropriate for them. Before introducing young players to your organisation you need to consider the responsibility of providing and taking charge of young people and how young people will affect other members in the organisation. Please click for further information on your responsibilities for catering for young people within your organization.

Also consider the numerous benefits of introducing junior players to your organisation:

Regular supply of new players ensuring the organisation's future.
Increase membership, including parents.
Additional volunteers.
Provide future officials and administrators.
Increased income and more opportunities to raise funds.
Enhance the organisation status and reputation.
Improve social calendar.
Give existing members the opportunity to accept new challenges, roles and responsibilities.
Provide a focus or stimulus for organisational development.
Recruiting participants for your 'sport'.
Developing competitors/ performers from an early age will improve your 'sport'.
Raise the organisation's profile.

Engaging Young People in Sport

It is important to ensure that children are given fun and positive sporting experiences. If they are encouraged to enjoy the experience and they participate successfully in your sport then they are more likely to remain involved in that sport for life. In order to attract young people to your organisation you will need to establish a quality junior section that they wish to join. A quality junior section should provide and encourage:

The opportunity to socialise
The opportunity to work as part of a team
Co-operation and an ability to handle success and failure
Development of health and fitness
Positive & fun sporting experiences
Self confidence and positive self image
Positive attitudes towards exercise and healthy living
An opportunity for young people and parents to work together
Keeping young people 'off the streets'.

Young people take part in sport for many reasons:

For enjoyment and fun
To be with friends
To be part of a team
To play the game and improve their skills
For the excitement of competition

But several factors also deter them:

The school environment - national curriculum pressures, no after school clubs
The home environment - working parents, single parents, unemployment, transport
Passive leisure pursuits - technology, computers, internet, socialising/ hanging out

As identified elsewhere in this section, an action plan gives the organisation a focus for development, whereby clear aims, targets and timescales for achievement are agreed. By producing a separate junior action plan the organisation will be able cover specific junior aims in more detail and provide a positive work plan for the junior coaches and the junior development officer (if your organisation has one). This plan can then be reviewed and adapted as the targets are achieved, without having to re-work the NGB's overall action plan.

The following key areas should be considered when writing the action plan:

The organisations overall 'vision' and its strengths and weaknesses
All young people should be given the opportunity for learning regardless of their ability
Prioritise child protection
Focus on the needs of the young person rather than the needs of the organisation or the coach
Skill progressive training programme
Encourage the parents and the young people to get involved in the running of the organisation
Ensure that all activity is FUN and carried out within a friendly environment