WDCs winning Community Regeneration Fund Sports Development Project, focuses on delivering a programme of pre-school age sport for 3-5 year olds and after-school sport for 8-12 year olds. It also targets local people aged 14 years and over as volunteers and sports coaches. In addition, a programme of multi-sports festivals for local 8-16 year olds is delivered on an annual basis.
The project's innovative approach has enabled the council's Sports Development Unit to become the first in Scotland to deliver sports programmes in 100% of local authority managed Early Education and Childcare Centres (EECC's).
All programmes delivered by the project are free to ensure activities are available to all young people. There are currently over 2,100 children participating in the programme every week, which highlights the cost effectiveness and the impact that it has had in the area.
The Project co-ordinator said: "The costs to deliver this project to 3 -12 year olds (only £0.33 per child per week) are minimal when compared to the benefits that have been received by our residents. This also highlights how successfully limited financial resources have been used to create maximum impact."
Other Awards:
COSLA AWARD (CHAIR'S AWARD FOR DELIVERING EXCELLENCE)
Sports Development won the prestigious Chair's Award for Delivering Excellence at the 2002 COSLA Excellence Awards. This award was won in partnership with the Healthy Vending initiative that was also delivered by the local authority. The services were recognised for delivering excellence in the field of health and well being. One of the main reasons for this award was due to the fact that West Dunbartonshire Council Sports Development service delivers one of, if not, the most extensive school sports programme in Scotland.
COSLA AWARD (BRONZE) - Disability Football Project - Health Improvement 2008
Sports Development won this award for delivering an innovative disability football project in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council. This project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and brings young people who have additional support needs from across the two local authorities together to play football. The aim of the project is to deliver a programme of developmental football coaching sessions in a squad format similar to what is delivered to able-bodied players throughout Scotland. Specific skills will be developed at these sessions. This however is not the sole aim as the project develops the young people’s confidence, social skills, well being and all-round enjoyment of being active and healthy. For example, work experience is organised for the young people to gain invaluable experience of the working environment, which aids the development of their confidence and awareness of other social settings. The project continues to develop and there is now a Dunbartonshire Disability Sports Club operating from St Peter the Apostle High School.
COSLA AWARD (BRONZE) - Sports Youth Group - Advancing Community and Citizen Well being
West Dunbartonshire Council Sports Development Unit recognised that there was a demand for opportunities for young people to participate in sport, as well as develop through sport. As a result West Dunbartonshire Sports Youth Action Group was established in October 2007 and is recognised was the only group of its kind in Scotland. It has been commended by sportscotland for its contribution towards the development of sport by a key target group. The project tackles the issue of sustainability in sporting opportunities by developing a network of quality volunteers, and by creating a lifelong culture of community involvement and active citizenship at an early age. The group is diverse in its membership in terms of age and gender and incorporates people aged between 14 to 25. In the long term, the programme assists young people to move into positive destinations. The project has developed over fifty confident, empowered and skilled young individuals since October 2007. These volunteers are now positive role models for other young people in the community and are delivering free sports coaching programmes throughout the authority to hundreds of young people, which break down the financial barriers for children in SIMD areas. The Sports Youth Action Group has worked tirelessly to raise and apply for funds, generating £10,250 to date. The group was also invited to attend the UK Sports Relief Celebration event in July 2009 in Cardiff Millennium Stadium. West Dunbartonshire Council is an extremely deprived local authority and this project demonstrates that through innovative thinking, projects can improve the quality of life and future opportunities of children and young people.
Tullochan Trust Awards - Group of the Year -
West Dunbartonshire Sports Youth Group
The Sports Youth Group won Group of the Year at the 2010 Tullochan Trust Awards. The group had developed incredibly well since October 2007 and continues to deliver activities in the community. The challenge of funding is an ongoing challenge for the group, but the young volunteers and committee members are working extremely hard to get the required funding to continue the successfull delivery of free activities in the community.
