GBSC Achieves Clubmark Accreditation

Guildford Baseball & Softball Club are pleased to announced that the club has succeeded in completing the Clubmark accreditation process.

Only a handful of baseball and softball clubs have received this accreditation from Sport England, and it not only helps recognise the club as a well run entity, but is also very important when working with certain organisations, especially youth, and of course is an important consideration in any funding process.

A huge debt of thanks are owed to the team of Ben Stobart, Sheila Horncastle and in particular David Jones for working to produce the necessary documentation required. In particular David spent several trips to BBF offices in London to work with the assessor, as well as ensuring we had all necessary items in place. You can see many of the documents on the club website under the Policies and Procedures page

What is Clubmark?

Clubmark is the universally acknowledged cross sport accreditation scheme for community sports Clubs. It stands for the following:

  • Higher standards of welfare, equity, coaching and management in community sports Clubs
  • Making sure the nation’s sports Club infrastructure is safer, stronger and more successful
  • It shows that a Club provides the right environment which ensures the welfare of members and encourages everyone to enjoy sport and stay involved throughout their lives.

An accredited Club is recognised as a safe, rewarding and fulfilling place for participants of all ages as well as helping parents and carers know that they’re choosing the right Club for their young people.

Criteria for Clubmark Accreditation

To achieve this accreditation, we had to meet the following Criteria, which have to be documented and sent to an assessor to verify that we are carrying out what we say we are.

  • Activity / Playing Programme – Providing opportunities for different groups of people to play the sport, when you are providing them, how you are delivering them and by whom
  • Duty of Care and Welfare – Proving that the Club takes steps to ensure that members, volunteers, and visitors can enjoy the sport offered by the Club in a safe environment
  • Knowing your Club and Community – Promoting the right culture that our policies, practices and ethos encourage all members to adopt an inclusive, friendly approach to sport
  • Club Management – Ensuring that we are a well-managed club with defined processes and procedures to make sure we are sustainable in the future as well as being prepared in the event of emergencies

Benefits to GBSC and it’s members

We have, and can communicate our goals and objectives to all Club members and the wider community. This highlights the Club’s focus and ambition for the future and provides a solid foundation from which to grow

  • The analysis of the current workforce ensures all training is up to date and the Club is operating at its best
  • Adoption of more organised systems and structures will help the Club run more efficiently and effectively
  • Provide reassurance to parents in areas relating to equity and child protection
  • Continually updated policies, training and systems helps attract schools and local authorities that we work with, as they must ensure quality and child friendly systems and procedures
  • Many leisure operators and local authorities give priority and discounts to Clubmark accredited Clubs
  • The general recognition of being a high quality club that Clubmark brings.
  • Helps assure Members that their club is a well-managed and striving to offer the best in coaching and sports development by working with appropriate partners

This is another step in the growth and development of Guildford Baseball Club, which has come on top of the club expanding to 3 BBF teams for the 2017 season; the setting up of a local summer Softball League, and continued growth and play in our Junior section. If you would like to be part of this, please contact the club.

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