Junior Club Development
The following information gives an insight into how a Junior Club can develop in terms of offering the correct infrastructure for participants.
Principles of Club Development
Sports Clubs vary enormously in the type and range of opportunities that they offer. Many clubs offer, or attempt to offer, a complete range of opportunities across different levels of the sporting continuum. In working developmentally it may be useful to identify a particular level to concentrate the initial work on. Some suggested areas to focus on are included below.
Level 1 – Introduction
What kind of environment should be in place to offer a quality experience to those youngsters first entering club sport?
Examples:
- Types of facility / equipment
- Level and ratio of leaders / coach
- Types of activity on offer
- Competitive opportunities on offer
Level 2 – Participation
What kind of environment should be in place to offer a quality experience to those youngsters actively and regularly involved in club sport?
Examples:
- More specific equipment
- Range of coaching on offer
- Range of activity
- Range of competitive opportunities
- Higher frequency of opportunities to participate
Level 3 – Performance
What type of club environment should be in place to offer a quality experience to youngsters progressing within their chosen sport?
Examples:
- Training programmes on offer
- Range / appropriateness of
- Specialist equipment required Competition
- Development opportunities for coaches
- Links with governing body squad
- Programmes
Level 4 – Excellence
What type of club environment should be in place to offer a quality experience to youngsters achieving a high level within their chosen sport?
Examples:
- Facility / Equipment requirements
- Financial assistance for youngsters
- Development programmes for coaches
- Sports Science / Medicine support
- Frequency of training
- Counselling and parent education