KKP has managed the strategic development and operation of Sport England's Clubmark since 2006. Over this time, it has been transformed into a robust and defensible scheme with four times as many accredited clubs.

Clubmark is endorsed by all key sporting agencies in the UK; from NGBs and CSPs to the CCPR and the Youth Sport Trust.

To maintain this momentum, Clubmark needs to be higher on the agenda of the local agencies that support and provide facilities and resources to support sports clubs - this is a key focus for the Clubmark team this year.

Local authorities and other leisure operators are increasingly recognising the value of Clubmark clubs. More and more now offer discounted facility hire and priority bookings slots as well as assembling bespoke benefits packages including, for example, free or reduced cost access to courses.

Bringing the majority of these various local initiatives together, a new Clubmark Charter has been developed. This is designed to both encourage and make it easy for local authorities, SSPs, schools and other agencies to define how they will support Clubmark clubs. In a clear, simple template document, it outlines the range of positive measures that partners are being encouraged to adopt and embed in local policy.

Universal adoption of the policies and practical implementation measures proposed will provide tangible rewards for the 10,000 clubs that are currently Clubmark accredited or ‘working towards' the award. Perhaps, even more importantly, it will incentivise many other clubs to achieve the national quality stamp of approval.

A number of local authorities and partner agencies up and down the Country have already adopted Clubmark Charter principles; these include Northamptonshire County Council and Trafford Community Leisure Trust.

Bernie Jones, Chief Executive of the Trafford Trust considers clubs to be at the heart of community sport. Working with the Borough's clubs to help and support them to gain Clubmark the Trust is playing its part in ensuring that residents of Trafford get the best possible opportunities to take part in quality sport. "We believe that working in true partnership with quality clubs enables everyone to benefit - this is the reason that we offers a variety of incentives for clubs to work towards and/or achieve Clubmark".

Bernie said,

"Trafford has 54 accredited clubs, plus a similar number working towards. I believe that our clubs have played an important part in increasing Active People measured participation levels in Trafford to 29.2%, putting it among the top 10 most active communities in England. True partnership means working together and sharing benefits. By giving our clubs a little, our community has benefited significantly."

Over the coming months KKP will be continuing to drive adoption of the Charter and helping to publicise agencies that adopt it as policy. Please let us know what is happening in your organisation or area.

More information about The Clubmark Charter is available on the Clubmark website