NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCHOOL SPORT
Youth Sport Trust Briefing of National Governing Bodies following the Compulsory Spending Review (CSR)
· As Chairman of the NCSS I was invited as the School Sport Association’s representative to attend the above briefing held on 17th November 2010, together with some 60 NGB/YST staff. This was presented by Alison Oliver, Director of Sport of the YST.
· It was agreed that what we have built up around School Sport Partnerships is ‘too good to lose’ and there must be ways of sustaining this during the transformation.
· YST has been preparing for some time to address what they knew would be inevitable. There has been immense media reaction and lobbying of Ministers. YST is now looking to a strategic response influencing schools.
· Facts: SSP infrastructure funding (£170m) has gone; DfE workstrand funding has also gone; Specialist Schools’ funding will be de-ringfenced from 31st March 2011. Will this be the end of SSPs? No! The end of Sports Colleges? No!! The end of the Youth Sport Trust? No – but they will be downsizing!!!
· New education policy will offer greater freedom to schools, more school diversity … and in a White Paper yet to be published, the possibility of freeing up the curriculum and giving direct funding to all schools. It is understood that the Government is looking at reducing regulations which should help the delivery of sport – watch this space!
· The only sport policy in place from the Government is that of the four levels of the ‘School Olympics’ model – competition as a context for school sport (driven by BOA, BPA, SE, YST, DfE and DCMS).
· YST remain committed to maintaining 450 units, supporting NGBs and retaining their relationship with schools.
· YST still have sponsors who will continue to support them (Sainsbury’s, Sky, Lloyds TSB) and expect others will come forward to assist them as a charity now without government funding. YST is the agency for developing the ‘School Olympic’ pilots – it could be they will be involved in the full roll-out.
· It is unlikely that YST will work with PESSYP funded sports in future. They are looking to ‘partnerships’ underpinned by NGB self evaluation. Other tentative ideas were floated.
· Group feedback highlighted the need for consistency, central communications/network channels, the merit of continuing engagement days/workshops and of YST conferences for NGBs to meet deliverers. Questions were asked whether the SE/UK Sport merger could marginalise school sport.
· Parting message: Strong leadership is key in tough times. Opportunity is borne out of difficult circumstances.
I hope these notes give an indication of where we are. You should of course, receive feedback from your NGB reps!
NCSS Response to Various Consultations
· I am grateful to Pat Smith who has sent a detailed reply to both the Home Office and Criminal Records Bureau regarding the Vetting and Barring Scheme Remodelling and Criminal Records Review.
· As Chairman of the NCSS I have written to the Secretary of State for Education stating displeasure at the change of funding for School Sport Partnerships. I have also responded to a House of Lords enquiry into grassroots sports and the EU.
· The NCSS is one of 50 signatories to a response formulated by CCPR to Sport England’s consultation about the New Olympic/Paralympic Style School Sport Competitions.
Council Matters
· Members should have received the minutes of the AGM and Council Meeting held on 2nd October 2010. Please contact Gillian Gilyead if your copy has gone astray.
· Reminder – the next NCSS meetings to be held in London on 5th February 2011 are the International Meeting (am) and the Council Meeting (pm). We hope all ISF sports and TC members will make every effort to attend the International Meeting to which all other members are also invited.
· I understand from Jean Gates (Treasurer) that membership fees are due. Thank you to those who have paid – a reminder to those who are yet to pay.
· The Officers are to be thanked for the work they do as Acting Executive of the NCSS. It was recommended at the last meeting that we set up a working group to debate current and relevant issues. This worked well last year. I am looking for volunteers from members who would be happy to join this group and make a contribution. Please send an e-mail to me if you are interested. Date and venue to be determined when the group is established.
Here & There
· The YST Empower Workshops for November/December have been cancelled.
· UK School Games – preliminary visits for site inspections have been made this week to venues in Sheffield in preparation which will be held from 2nd/4th September 2011 (participants to arrive on Thursday 1st).
John Arnold, Chairman,
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