The Government has recently pledged to invest around £150million per year into primary school sports provision in a bid to help build on the hugely successful 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. It is very much hoped that the country can now make the most of the inspiration young people will undoubtedly have taken from London 2012. David Cameron has vowed that a primary school with 250 pupils will receive £9,250 of ‘ring-fenced’ funding per year, meaning it can only be spent on sport. The school itself will decide exactly how they want to spend this money – whether this is bringing in specialist coaches or providing additional after school sports opportunities.
The funding will certainly have a knock-on effect on the services coaching companies and organisations provide. The youth sports coaching industry as a whole will reactively respond to this news and it will be no surprise if an increase in the number of sports coaching providers occurs as attempts are made to capitalize on this funding. Schools and local communities will likely be inundated with providers presenting their case as to why they should be chosen to deliver their services, whether this is in the school setting or holiday camps using private facilities. Promises will be made, guaranteeing the highest quality of service and access to excellent coaches will be assured. However, promising it is one thing, actually doing it is another.
A saturated market provides the consumer with more choice – and a choice regarding a sports coaching provider working with children is obviously a crucial one for schools and parents. It means ensuring that the provider you choose to engage with is fit to do the job you demand for your children. This relates to the quality, knowledge and experience of coaches and staff, the structure and relevance of programs provided and most importantly the safety of the environment for children with respect to both personnel and facilities. Below are specific standards you should expect from a sports coaching provider, which Kalo Sport observe:
- Highly qualified (Level 2 minimum) and experienced coaching staff
- Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau/DBS Clearance Certificate for all staff
- Safeguarding and Protecting Children Certificate
- Emergency First Aid Certification
- Full Insurance Policy
- Public Liability Insurance – £5million minimum
- Recognised by a National Governing Body (NGB)
Whether you are a school weighing up offers from various sports providers or a parent looking for a school holiday sports camp for your child, always scratch beneath the surface to ensure the right decision is made. Considering you are investing into a service rather than a physical product, it is often a matter of trust that what is being proposed on paper will be the case in reality. Listening to the reviews and opinions of friends and colleagues who have previously used a sports provider is vital as well as checking that certain standards, as mentioned above, are offered.
