SiS 2006-2007

STEP INTO SPORT VOLUNTEERING FOR THE COMMUNITY IN 2007!

Multiple World Champion stresses importance of volunteers to her success

Thanks to the Active Surrey Sports Partnership, thirty-nine students from across Surrey gathered at the Lightwater Leisure Centre on Friday 8 December 2006, to give young people the skills and confidence to make a difference through volunteering in community sport!

The day forms part of Step into Sport a national scheme to encourage and involve young people in sports volunteering, leading to a life-long involvement in community sport. The attendees were all aged between 16 to 19 and from the following schools and colleges in the Mid Surrey, North West Surrey and Bishop Wand School Sports Partnerships:

Collingwood College

Fullbrook School

Heathside School

Rydens School

St Andrews School

The Ashcombe School

The Bishop Wand CofE School

Woking College

While completing sports leadership awards as part of their studies, they will be encouraged to use their skills through linking up with local sports clubs and events and completing volunteering hours over the course of 2007. As a result, with the help of the Active Surrey Sports Partnership, their teachers and local sports development officers, the young people will be looking for a volunteering placement within quality-assured local sports clubs, where they will be looked after by specially trained club volunteer co-ordinators and will join the many other people who give up their time to make sport happen in Surrey.

The participants enjoyed the day and had fun completing courses in First Aid training, guidance with regard to safeguarding young people, and interactive courses on Communication and the FUNdamentals of Movement from sports coach UK. The day also included a visit from Anna Hemmings, five times World Champion and three times European Champion in flat water canoeing. A local athlete (who is a member of Elmbridge Canoe Club and has received the Elmbridge Sports Personality of the Year Award three times), Anna stressed not only how she had to battle psychologically and physically to continue competing after being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, but also how volunteers had been instrumental to her success throughout her career.

Overall, the day was a great success, with the attendees widely praising the courses for being "fun", "active" and "giving lots to do". Many also noted the variety of practical ideas that were suggested for them to use in community sport, and others felt that courses such as the First Aid gave them more confidence, especially if they will coach in the community for the first time.

John Woodroffe, Sports Leadership and Volunteering Development Officer for Active Surrey Sports Partnership, was also pleased with the event, and not just because of the training available: "At this year's event we have focused on quality volunteering - everyone involved was given lots of encouragement to volunteer and are made well aware of what a great opportunity Step into Sport is. These efforts have been reflected in the participants on the day they were all enthusiastic and at the same time excellent role models for community sport! I look forward to helping them, and support their teachers, local sports development officers and, of course, local sports clubs, in having a fantastic time volunteering for their chosen sport or sports".

For advice with regard to involving sports volunteers or for more general information about volunteering, please contact John Woodroffe on 01483 518943 or john.woodroffe@surreycc.gov.uk.

This is not the only volunteering opportunity for Surrey's young people. Training courses are run throughout the year through Surrey's Young Coaches and Officials (SYCO) Programme, which is open to all 14-19yr olds, and there are many volunteering opportunities for all ages at local accredited sports clubs and events such as the Surrey Youth Games in June 2007.

Last updated: Monday 15 January 2007