Junior Development

Leicestershire has recently appointed a Community Sports Coach for VOLLEYBALL, Steve Jones.

His role in this post is essentially the development of the game of Volleyball throughout Leicestershire with a core focus of work across schools, clubs and local authorities.

The aim will be to: -

  • Coach young people, predominantly outside the curriculum time, to develop fundamental volleyball skills
  • Coach at a local level with a focus on the 'FUNdamentals' / 'Learning to Train' phases within the EVA player development pathway
  • Retain young people in the sport of volleyball by ensuring a high quality, enjoyable, young-person-centred experience and offering guidance on progression opportunities based on the young person's interests and abilities.

In achieving these aims he shall be offering the following opportunities to your school or club: -

  • Advice and guidance on EVA player development pathway
  • Support and guidance on the GCSE/GCE 'A' Level Physical Education -Volleyball grading criteria
  • Observation opportunities for Sports Leadership UK Community Sports Leadership Awards
  • Short-course provision-VolleySport, Level 1 Coaching, Coaching for Teachers
  • Assistance with development of schemes of work and curriculum material
  • Taster sessions for your students
  • Links to local clubs with junior development sessions
  • If you interested in any of these opportunities please ring Steve Jones on 07967475785 Or e-mail stevejones2@tiscali.co.uk

Download The Most Recent Documents:

Child Welfare/Child Protection Advice for Clubs

Every young person that takes part in volleyball should do so in an environment where they feel safe and protected from harm

Volleyball England

This document has been produced as a guide to clubs on their responsibilities regarding child welfare issues. The document is not intended to be a one-stop resource for clubs but has been developed to signpost clubs towards sources of further information. Clubs are reminded that they themselves are primarily responsible for child welfare within their own organisations. The importance of robust child welfare procedures cannot be overstated.

The Volleyball England web-site is the recommended resource for clubs wishing to find out further information on child welfare and protection issues.

http://www.volleyballengland.org/Welfare/index.php

http://www.volleyballengland.org/Schools_and_Youth/Child_Protection.php

Clubs working with children should have robust procedures in place for the protection of those individuals. Persons under the age of 18 are classified as children / juniors for the purposes of this discussion.

http://www.volleyballengland.org/assets/File/PDF/Child_Protection_policy.pdf

A Google search on the internet will show that many clubs have adopted this model policy without major amendment.

All clubs with junior members should formally nominate a senior member to act in a Child Welfare Officer (CWO) capacity. Such individuals will promote good practice and provide the main contact for issues related to ensuring safe recruitment of volunteers and responding to concerns/allegations or disclosures. It is recommended, although not mandatory, that this person sits on the club committee in this capacity, to represent the views of junior members. A model job description for the CWO role can be found at:-

http://www.volleyballengland.org/assets/File/DOC/asset56.doc

Coaches working with junior members should by qualified Volleyball England coaches and Volleyball England encourages that they hold a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) certificate. Further information on CRB checks can be found at:

http://www.volleyballengland.org/Schools_and_Youth/Child_Protection.php

Some other issues to consider include the following. The list is not exhaustive:-

  1. Has your club adopted the Volleyball England model Child Protection / Child Welfare Policy?
  2. Having adopted the Policy, how is this (and the good practice advice contained within the full document) circulated to club members? For example, is it published on the club website?
  3. Are club members regularly reminded of their responsibilities regarding training and playing alongside junior members (e.g. conduct on court)?
  4. Has your club nominated a Child Welfare Officer (CWO)?
  5. Is the nominated CWO fully aware of his / her responsibilities?
  6. Have all junior members been made aware of this nominated person, his/her contact details and their responsibilities?
  7. Has the CWO attended Child Protection training?
  8. Does the CWO maintain emergency contact details for parents / guardians of all junior members (it is recommended that at least two contact numbers are held for each junior member)?
  9. Does the CWO take steps to specifically notify all junior members in the event of training / matches being cancelled?
  10. Is the CWO aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation or a concern, however minor, being raised?
  11. Does the CWO hold regular informal discussions with junior members in order that any issues of concern can be raised and addressed?
  12. Does the club protect the anonymity of junior members in press reports, club website etc. As a rule of thumb, where a photograph is shown, the individuals name should not be, and vice-versa.
  13. Does the club understand its responsibilities regarding ensuring that no junior member is left alone at the end of a training session or match (e.g. awaiting pick-up by parents)?
  14. Does the club take adequate steps to ensure that junior members have transport to and from matches, especially (but not exclusively) away matches?
  15. Does the club have a pricing structure that seeks to encourage junior members into the sport of volleyball (e.g. junior rates, or subsidies for team kits)?
  16. Does your club have sufficient club members trained in basic first aid?
  17. Is a fully stocked first aid kit available at all matches and training sessions including cold compress packs?
  18. Are junior members encouraged to declare known medical conditions to the CWO, for example asthmatic conditions?
  19. Does your club act inclusively regarding its junior members (e.g. hold social functions that, by their nature, a junior member is not excluded from)?
  20. Does your club hold funds to encourage responsible adults to gain training and / or qualifications where desired (e.g. child protection training, first aid training, CRB certification, coaching qualifications).