As a follow-up to the seminar held earlier this month, the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) recently organised another seminar whereby the members of its affiliated federations received a more in-depth analysis of the Clubmark concept.
Envic Galea, the MOC's Youth Director, gave an overview of the contents of the Clubmark Resource Pack.
This provides detailed information of the four key areas a club must address in order to achieve Clubmark accreditation.
The first section is the Playing Programme which includes club coaching activities, competitive structures, coaching staff and club venues. Section two is all about duty of care and safeguarding and protecting children. Section three sets out the rules for sports equity and ethics, while section four focuses on club management. Galea also spoke about the engagement of volunteers, stressing that, although it is not a criterion for obtaining the Clubmark award, it is of great importance to the good functioning of a club.
Joseph Cassar, general secretary of the MOC, then delivered a very interesting and informative talk about club constitution. Having in place a good club constitution is one of the criteria for obtaining the Clubmark award. He said that although a constitution should be a simple document, it should outline the club's purpose, structure and policies to ensure the smooth running of the club.
Michelle Debono, guidance teacher at Child Safety Services within the Education Department, spoke about child safety, outlining the National Policy and the Policy Standard Criteria for child protection.
She went on to give a clear definition of what is considered to be child abuse, naming some of the contributing factors to this abuse.
Debono also showed the seminar participants a safety check list which clubs should utilise and warned all present to be aware of their responsibility especially to the junior members of their clubs.
The seminar's final speaker was Rein Caruana, Managing Director of Allcare Insurance Brokers Ltd. His contribution centred on the importance of risk assessment and management, and insurance, other prerequisites for the Clubmark award.
These last four talks brought an end to this year's introductory programme, sponsored by Olympic Solidarity and Sport England who developed Clubmark. The purpose of these seminars was to introduce the basis for the development programme to local federations and clubs.
Activities next year will continue with hands-on lectures and consultations with clubs and federations on the application of the Long Term Athlete Development in concepts and coaching principles and the grading of federation clubs in the Bronze, Silver and Gold Clubmark classification.
These principles should help local sport organisations attract more members and reach higher standards.