Latest Committee Update

Note that AGM now rescheduled for early 2021

1. Role of Voluntary Sports Council – Quite a few past meetings have been spent establishing our true role in the Community and we must continue with this and not be a free Volunteer dumping ground for functions that fall within paid professional agencies. We should be providing advice, guidance, information and support etc on behalf of our membership linked to our objectives but not undertaking large amounts of work on behalf of others. Need to progress gaining additional interested sport representatives to provide ‘hands on assistance’ with identified tasks. Committee members also requested to proactively assist with any items within the sporting community and relating to the Sports Councils objectives and priorities wherever possible in the periods between BSDC meetings so that meetings are more inclusive and not just the Chairman providing updates. Also agreed that we need to challenge some BDBC decisions where appropriate on behalf of the local sporting community we represent.
2. Grant Application – Bid is available on the Good Exchange Funding platform to allow us to deliver Sport, Health and Wellbeing initiatives locally. Currently being reviewed and rescheduled due to current virus issues affecting proposed objectives and may probably reduce bid to encourage more potential interest from local business.
3. Basingstoke Get Active – With 2020 originally Olympic Year, it was proposed that the Sports Council try and encourage the local Sporting community to provide taster session during Easter (April) & Autumn half terms plus the school Summer Holidays alongside promoting their requirements for Volunteers, Coaches and Officials. Could also link with Volunteers Week, Coaching Week and School Sports Week in June. This would allow interaction with schools in and align with Basingstoke Get Active SPAA objectives and also focus the Sports Council on a 2020 vision, raise our profile and hopefully encourage funding.  All this affected by COVID19 although promotions of all three events directed to clubs via Newsletter, Email and Facebook. Revised details to be circulated to Leagues and Clubs to gain interaction in 2021 and will be integral part of grant application.
4. Sports Council Finances – Sports Council currently has adequate accounts (Including Festival of Sport and Sports Award Reserves) Still need to make some decisions as to how some of this funding will be best utilised (COVID19 may influence options). Also need to review the constitution in relation to suitable allocation of funds if the Sports Council is dissolved.
5. Sports Council Affiliation – Club affiliations overdue for 2019/20 and improving although some key sports still not done so including Senior Football, Badminton & Netball Leagues plus Cricket, Rugby & Volleyball Clubs ! Currently have 21 Affiliations from the main 81 organisations locally (25.9%). Have extended all affiliations by a year due to COVID19 restrictions. Maintaining regular interaction with local sport via Facebook, Mailchimp newsletters and direct emailing.
6. Sports Awards – Potential issues regarding next year’s event as no real sport undertaken this year. A few options have already been discussed and awaiting confirmation if BDBC will make grant aid available. Event currently scheduled for February 26th 2021 but committee need to discuss and make a decision by Mid-August this year.
7. Festival of Sport – Unfortunately cancelled this year again due to COVID 19. Now rescheduled for evening of Wed June 23rd to eve of Sun June 27th 2021 in Euskirchen, Germany and planning to gain a couple of new groups for the event.
8. Promotion of Talented Local Sportsmen & Women – Observer and Gazette agreed to run regular articles regarding Clubs, Individuals and events if supplied by Sporting Community. Clubs have been encouraged to submit articles.
9. BDBC Summer Play activities – Funding was available for Charities and Voluntary Groups to facilitate ‘Play Day’ activities for juniors the first week of August 2020 and fun sporting taster sessions/activities can be included. Details were circulated but unsure if any sports clubs took part.
10. Basingstoke Town Centre Promo Opportunity – Town Centre ‘Get Active’ event scheduled for July now cancelled for this year as was linked to Olympics and unsure of COVID19 status. Probably reschedule for July 2021.
11. Energise me asked to clarify how Basingstoke can have better interaction with them and a regular representative now attends the SPAA group. Energise me activities being promoted to local Sporting Community and clubs encouraged to register for their updates. Also offered to assist with promotion of any proposed Olympics initiative.
12. Sports Club Volunteering / Coaching / Officiating – Clubs are still encouraged to submit their Volunteering (and Funding) requirements for potential assistance and also ensure they have role descriptions, Volunteer Handbook plus Club co-ordinator in place. Details of websites and requirements to encourage more volunteers recently circulated to sporting community. (Do-It, Join In & Volunteer North Hants)
13. BDBC Health & Well-Being update – Although BSC work in partnership with BDBC on the Sports Awards plus Festival of Sport it would appear other functions now appear to have been dropped by BDBC. The previous confirmation that “BDBC are no longer able to commit many resources to the development of sport clubs and no longer have a sports development officer – Will now point clubs to other agencies – Voluntary sports council are key link to the sporting community – Look to the sports council to have sports specific conversations with schools – the low number of new volunteers is becoming an increasing concern” raise concerns for the Voluntary Sports Council. BSC still need to consider suitable response and to whom after due consideration (Also wait to be advised of further changes resulting from COVID19) plus clearly consider priorities and suitable communication to the local Sporting community and press where appropriate.
14. Local Clubs survey - KL had previously been interacting with Amy from BDBC collating survey results from the local sporting community. Still being progressed linked to original 2018 student survey.
15. Local Clubs and School Project - Two UNI students in 2018 worked with clubs and schools to review local sport. Results still being fully summarised prior to progression with BDBC, Phil Jeffs and sport related organisations to assist moving forward with local sport and 'Getting people Active'. Committee members should then follow up high profile actions by meeting with local clubs etc with additional sport representatives also to be sought to assist this. KL reissued updated 2018 survey last May to try and gain improved response from local schools and is currently following up.
16. Energise Me / Club & School links – KL has recently requested representatives from Energise Me responsible for Children & Young People to potentially attend a Basingstoke meeting with school sport teachers to discuss support from Energise Me and understand current and potential school and club links locally. Early September date proposed hosted by BVA and awaiting response.   
17. Schools Sports Partnership – Basingstoke have the biggest partnership of schools in the county but only supported by Phil Jeffs who struggles to increase participation in school competitions, gain interest in Sports Awards, get suitable volunteers to assist and maybe support from local clubs. KL was having regular meetings with PJ and agreed to assist him with website improvement and then look at utilising it more to communicate with schools and parents regarding Sport and Health options locally. Also attended school sports competitions to interact with associated teachers. Senior School ‘Superstars’ event planned for April ‘20 cancelled and little else happening with schools between Mid-February to July 2020.
18. Interaction with QMC & BCOT – Staff have changed and improved interaction required.  KL had previously contacted the new QMC sport lead Andy Fields who advised he would participate in our meetings in 2020 and KL to follow this up as no further interaction to date.
19. Partnership with Community Leisure Trust – Wish to partner with Sports Council to deliver some projects locally linked to our joint objectives. KL was to discuss with their board in May 2020 but postponed currently and may be impacted by COVID19 budget issues on CLT.
20. SPAA/BDBC/BVA/Energise Me Interaction –There are various actions identified below by the SPAA ‘Be Physically Active’ group of which most fall within our remit and are being progressed alongside other partners. BSC Committee representatives should proactively visit clubs where relevant to discuss topics below where applicable to improve interactions, awareness and progression;

1. Review the sharing of information and resources between organisations signed up to the SPAA (1.2), Contact Local Sports Clubs to allow understanding their role in the SPAA ‘Get Active’ objectives (1.6) & Explore small projects which can be delivered by members to encourage increased participation (3.10)
2. Develop and link BDBC/BVA/LSC websites to incorporate the Be Physically Active message to ensure increased awareness (2.4), Establish a suitable agreed Facebook presence and awareness (2.5) & Ensure Quarterly interaction with Gazette/Observer/Hampshire TV/Breeze/B&D Today (2.7) 
3. Signpost to National Initiatives, Campaigns and Major plus local events to link to local Sport and Exercise (2.8) and promote the existence of any opportunities locally for all residents to get physically active (4.1) or Volunteer (2.3)
4. Encourage local groups to utilize ‘Join in / Do It / Volunteer North Hants’ and other similar Volunteering websites (3.11) to encourage more participation in Volunteering, Coaching and Officiating to get people active (3.1) with a focus on encouraging 16+ to stay active (3.3)
5. Promote active/healthy lifestyles working in partnership with external partners (3.2)
6. Encourage increased participation across activity target groups ‘50+, Disabled, Disadvantaged etc’ (3.9)
7. Focus on out of hours learning opportunities for Junior School Children (Extended school Programme) and after school clubs (3.5), Increase School/Club links (3.8) & Encourage increased participation in Inter School Games and general ‘get active’ activities (3.7)
8. Review the mix of opportunities for sport and physical activity across all facilities (4.2), Interact with Community Centres, Community Schools and Village Halls plus Community plans (4.3) plus raise awareness of activities in the local Sport and Fitness Centres (4.4)

Any queries on any of the above to basvsc@outlook.com