Club Nets Gold Award

MEDIA RELEASE

Date:                16^th January 2007

Contact:           Louise Smith, Sport Development Officer (Infrastructure)

Tel:                  (01472) 323379

Club Nets Gold Award

A FOOTBALL club has become the first organisation in North East Lincolnshire to receive a prestigious award as part of a sports provision scheme.

Immingham Pilgrims FC will be awarded a gold level award as part of the Active Clubs Association Accreditation Scheme, administered by North East Lincolnshire Council. This is the first time the scheme has awarded a gold level accreditation.

To achieve the award, the club had to attain set standards in club administration, health and safety, volunteer and coach development, and club development.

"This scheme aims to set standards for local clubs to meet which will in turn lead to better quality sports provision for all the community," said the council's portfolio holder for culture and tourism, Councillor Steve Hocknell.

"Immingham Pilgrims FC has proved to us they are making a valuable contribution to sports provision in North East Lincolnshire, and is a deserving recipient of our first gold award."

The Active Clubs Association is a scheme developed by North East Lincolnshire Council's sports development unit. Its accreditation scheme sets standards for local sports clubs to meet which aim to achieve better quality sports provision.  It has been introduced to:

• Promote and encourage good practice in sports clubs
• Aid parents in choosing a club for their children
• Improve the quality of organisation and resources at local clubs
• Ensure that clubs offer safe and organised access to sport
• Acknowledge that child protection, sports equity and club management guidelines are met

There are four tiers to the scheme: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. It is designed to be a continuous development for the club throughout the levels. Benefits to the scheme include the opportunity to CRB check all coaches and volunteers free of charge, discounted facility hire (facility depending), and the opportunity to apply to the Active Clubs Association Small Grants Panel for up to £500 (depending on the level of accreditation).

Immingham Pilgrims FC will be presented with its award by Councillor Hocknell on February 10.

Notes for editors: You are invited to send a reporter / photographer to the presentation on February 10. This will take place on the field to the rear of Immingham Resource Centre at 10am.

For more information contact Rachel Cox in communication on (01472) 325968.