Published on:
21
June 2013
The national Community Sport Hub initiative which has been rolled out in Clackmannanshire, to provide support and increase participation for sports clubs, is already proving to be a success.
The Community Sport Hub is a project funded by sportScotland aimed at increasing participation in sport and physical activity.
Education, Sport and Leisure Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson said: "The idea is to boost the numbers taking part in sport and engaging more with the community as well as encouraging more community leadership."
The Community Sport Hub initiative also helps offer a wider range of sporting opportunities and brings together partners and groups.
Yesterday (Thursday) councillors on the Education, Sport and Leisure Committee welcomed the success of the new initiative.
Councillor Forson added: "The Community Sport Hub initiative was launched nationally in 2010 by Sportscotland and exists in various formats across all 32 local authorities, approximately 60% are based in secondary schools.
"The initiative has been designed to benefit groups, clubs and individuals and help them deliver sport."
Sportscotland are supporting each local authority with funding, networking and sharing ideas to find new ways of working, different thinking, community leadership and cultural change in sport.
In 2012 Clackmannanshire Council signed an agreement with sportScotland to focus the Community Sport Hub resource on the three secondary schools. The initiative started in Clackmannanshire on January 2013 and will continue until March 2015. A part-time principal officer has been appointed to drive the aims of this initiative.
The Community Sport Hub is currently located in Lornshill Academy. In November 2012 Lornshill Academy's PE department changed to a Faculty of PE, Sport and Physical Activity.
Councillor Forson added: "This change in school approach fits well with the aspirations of the Community Sport Hub, and is soon to be extended to both Alva Academy and Alloa Academy."
Existing users of Lornshill Academy have met several times as part of the new Community Sport Hub and have formed a User Forum, with among the aims, to develop coaches and volunteers, create leadership opportunities, produce stronger school to club links and help with funding opportunities.