SportsMark exceeds first year target

The Guernsey Sports Commission’s quality assurance scheme for sports clubs and organisations has exceeded its target for the first year of operation.

SportsMark was launched in March 2021 and to date 25 member sports have achieved the accreditation with a few others nearly ready for sign off.

‘We are extremely heartened by the fantastic response from our clubs and organisations who have fully embraced the SportsMark initiative,’ said Steve Sharman, the Commission’s Relationship Director with overall responsibility for the quality assurance scheme.

‘When we launched this a year ago, we set ourselves the ambitious target of getting all our member sports to achieve the standard within three years. We have 51 member sports and, so far, nearly half have already been awarded SportsMark within the first year of operation. That’s great progress and we’re continuing to work with our remaining member sports to support them to reach the standard,’ said Steve.

A sporting organisation displaying the SportsMark logo will have provided the Guernsey Sports Commission with evidence of high standards of welfare and safeguarding, will have shown that they are well managed with appropriate corporate governance, have sound financial practices, appropriately qualified coaches, a coaching strategy, and overall development plan in place for the sport or club.

‘From my point of view as Relationship Director, working with our member sports has really brought this alive,’ said Steve.

‘I’ve learnt so much about so many people and organisations and the tremendous work they do. It’s giving me a real insight into the significant role sport plays in our community.

‘Where sport is now, and where it was in terms of organisations being the best they can be on any given day, has taken a big step forward. Our sports are really embracing SportsMark and they are proud that achieving the standard shows the community that they are playing their part in keeping the island safe.’

The Guernsey Sailing Trust is just one of the sporting organisations that has recently been awarded SportsMark.

Sailing Development Officer Clare Chapple from the Trust says the process to gain the accreditation has been simple and straight forward.

‘We are honoured to be given the Sports Mark award for 2022,’ said Clare.

‘Running a safe, fun and inclusive sailing centre is very important to all of our staff and this award gives parents and carers who entrust their children to us the reassurance they need, regardless of how much sailing knowledge they have.

‘We are proud to deliver high standards of coaching, welfare, equality and management at the Guernsey Sailing Trust, which is recognised by this award.’

The leadership and governance of sport remains a priority workstream for the Commission.

‘We are continuing to work with a range of agencies and partners on all aspects of safeguarding and training,’ said Steve.

‘It’s not about us telling sports what to do it’s about working with them to understand their role and supporting them to identify where the gaps are so that they feel confident where they are and how they can continue to develop and improve.’

Sports and Organisations who have achieved SportsMark to date are:

All Island Gymnastics Club

Beau Sejour Barracudas Swimming Club

Bowmen of Guernsey

British Show Jumping Guernsey Branch

Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club

Guernsey Amateur Swimming Association

Guernsey Athletics Club

Guernsey Billiards and Snooker Association

Guernsey Cricket Board

Guernsey Darts Association

Guernsey Football Association

Guernsey Hockey Association

Guernsey Judo Club

Guernsey Petanque Association

Guernsey Sailing Trust

Guernsey Skate Parks

Guernsey Softball Association

Guernsey Swimming Club

Guernsey Table Tennis Association

Guernsey Triathlon Club

Guernsey Velo Club

Guernsey Volleyball Association

Guernsey Yacht Club (Junior Section)

Guernsey Yacht Club (Senior Section)

Sarnia Trampolining Club