Weybridge Rowing Club

ClubMark

This page is under development and will contain information about ClubMark. Weybridge Rowing Club was accredited in 2005 thanks to our excellence in caring for our junior members. Here are some of the documents which form part of our accreditation, plus links to relevant British Rowing resources.

Weybridge Rowing Club documents

Child Protection policy  Aug 2013
Junior Club rules July 2013
Code of Conduct for coaches and officials    July 2013
Code of Conduct for parents

British Rowing's resources

Row Safe
Child Protection Policy
How Much and How Often
Coach Participant Ratios

What is Clubmark?

Clubmark is a set of standards – a sort of Kitemark or ISO9000 for sports clubs.  It is applicable to all sports, not just rowing, though the British Rowing has adopted it as a follow-on to Project Oarsome and the National Junior Rowing Programme.  Unlike these programmes, however, it does not involve clubs in a lot of expense in buying special equipment, but merely requires adherence to a set of guidelines (see below) and completion of a “portfolio” of paperwork.

What are the advantages for us?

As well as gaining a pat on the back from British Rowing and recognition by the local council, there are several tangible benefits to WRC becoming Clubmark accredited:

• It increases the likelihood of our obtaining grants from the local authority, lottery or other bodies.
• We are included in the “SportSearch” programme, meaning that we are recommended in schools to any children wanting to take up rowing.
• Professional support from British Rowing / Local Authority / Sports Partnerships to help us develop the club.

Criteria for Clubmark Accreditation

Duty of care and child protection

• The club has a copy of British Rowing's Child Protection Policy and procedure on display and they are included in the club constitution
• At least two people have attended child protection training, one of whom must be a coach
• The club will have adopted codes of conduct for all coaches, officials and volunteers
• The club will conform to the British Rowing Water Safety Code (Row Safe)
• The club has contact details of parents/carers and emergency/alternative contacts
• The club has information on any medical conditions of junior members and informs coaches on a need to know basis

Coaching and competition

• The club provides a coaching programme outlining the number of sessions including times for both dry and wet start sessions
• The club fully utilises Go-Row award for teaching of all young people at the club
• The club organises at least one fun event per year
• The club ensures there is a minimum of two Level 2 qualified coaches involved.  Project Oarsome clubs must have a minimum of six Level 2 coaches
• The club has a Club Junior Co-ordinator, with a clear job description.  They must not hold any other position which may interfere with the running of the junior section of the club
• All coaches involved with junior must conform with British Rowing's child protection policies and procedures
• All coaches responsible for the programme hold professional indemnity and/or public liability insurance through membership of British Rowing
• All coaches are aware and conduct all session in accordance with British Rowing's coach/participant guidelines plus “How much and how often for young people”.
• All coaching and competition takes places at venues and with equipment in accordance with the British Rowing Water Safety Code

Sports equity and ethics

• The club has an open constitution in accordance with British Rowing's guidelines
• The club adopts and equal opportunity and sports equity policy
• At least one member of the club has attended a Running Sport “A Club for All” workshop
• At least one coach has attended a Sports Coach UK “Coaching and equity” workshop
• The club has codes of conduct for parents/carers and supporters
• The club has a set of rules for children and young people

Club management

• The club is affiliated to British Rowing
• The club has public liability insurance
• The club has a specific membership category and pricing policy for young people
• The club communications regularly with parents/carers
• The club has a junior/volunteer co-ordinator to act as a liaison with Sport England and British Rowing
• The club has contact with at least one school/youth organisation (Project Oarsome schemes should be linked with two schools).
• The club has developed links with the local authority Sports Officer, Sports Partnership and continues to maintain contact with them and with British Rowing
• The club is committed to further development work.