Developing the Link

It is important that your School-Club link is recorded correctly giving stability and sustainability to the link as both School and Club is committing to working in partnership, this can be developed using the progressive steps shown in this diagram.  If you have a School-Club Link or are trying to establish one in your local area please use this template School-Club Link Agreement. The document is self explanatory and can easily be amended to add or remove specific details of your own particular agreement. This agreement can be used by your club as part of your Volley1/ Clubmark accreditation submission.

The benefits of developing a School-Club link are potentially huge, for example:

• Providing an avenue into Club Accreditation
  
• The development of young Volleyball players who in years to come may become the mainstay of the club
  
• Strengthen the Club Committee by involving school staff
  
• Increase club membership
  
• Creating a situation where club members and local teachers can not only improve their coaching skills by attending shared courses but use and develop these skills regularly
  
• Potentially increase access and reduce costs for club training and match venues
  
• Develop a support base for the club
  
• Access support from the Local Authority

Research carried out on behalf of Sport England has revealed the following information about how High Quality School-Club Links are best produced:

Fundamental Common Characteristics:

• Club-led according to their capacity/approach/location
  
• Key (familiar) person/people with foot/feet in both camps 
  
• PDM interest/endorsement/brokering – but link with the individual school is also crucial
  
• Entry level activity based at the school or orchestrated in partnership with the school
  
• Clubs with a high capacity or high levels of motivation!
  
• Clubs unconcerned (at point of entry) about Young People’s skill level
  
• Community sports coach or similar coach access in place
  
• Common understanding & mutual benefit for both the school and the club

Young People: What works well?

• The sessions are not primarily about ‘learning outcomes/understanding… but about fun, enjoyment, confidence, play
• Familiar face/knowing someone with whom they feel at ease at the club
  
• Familiar surroundings - feeling comfortable/at ease
  
• Being with/making new friends
  
• Parental interest & support (getting to the club, paying fees etc)

Clubs: What works well?

• The Club leads the link and is based in the locality
  
• Club actual or perceived quality/interest/capacity/flexibility… club local profile & reputation
  
• Day-time availability of club personnel 
  
• Shared philosophy for the club & school; participation, desire to develop the sport and the individual
  
• Club partly/wholly bases (youth) activity at school(s)
  
• Quality of the ‘front-man/woman’ (initial & continuous)
  
• Someone (in key position) in club that understands schools!

Schools: What works well?

• PDM is outward thinking and  the extent to which this applies is transferred to SSCos/PLTs
  
• When an SSCo takes the club into the school there is automatic trust
  
• Informal and frequent contact between school and club
  
• Evident club understanding of schools needs/set-up.
  
• School/teacher confidence in club integrity (Clubmark is therefore highly important)
  
• School is child-centred (as opposed to ‘school-centred’) with a commitment to individual personal development
  
• School (PE staff) open-ness to ‘new’ sports