What is Step into Sport?
The Step into Sport programme targets young people aged 11 to 19 who are in education within a School Sport Partnership (SSP). The scheme provides coordinated opportunities for young people to engage in leadership and volunteering in sport. This takes the form of a pathway which incorporates the provision of training and development, as well as voluntary placements in both school and community settings.
The overall aims of Step into Sport are to increase the numbers of young people engaged in volunteering and leadership, to grow those young people as leaders and deploy them as volunteers. The programme develops leadership in sport, but also in a wider sense aims to develop young people as leaders through sport.
What is involved?
Step into Sport is based around a defined pathway for leadership and volunteering in school and community settings, for young people aged 11-19. The Step into Sport Pathway includes generic leadership courses such as Sport Leaders UK level 1 and 2, as well as sport specific leadership courses. It also includes elements of active volunteering, both within school (events, inter and intra school competitions) and in the community (regular club placements, events). Provision of Step into Sport ensures there is effective support for young people who are keen to develop their leadership and volunteering skills.
From 2008, a crucial aspect of the pathway will be the Leadership Academy. Leadership Academies will provide additional training and support to outstanding and committed leaders from the age of 14. There is a broad range of roles for young volunteers, it doesn’t just have to be for the “sporty” ones. Clubs also need support in everything from running events and league administration through to creating effective and appealing websites.
The Pathway can be seen here
Who is involved?
On a national level Step into Sport is managed jointly by the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England, with support from Sport Leaders UK, and is delivered through the School Sport Partnership network. The support of various other organisations and networks is needed to create the pathway for young people, including:
- National Governing Bodies of Sport (eg the FA)
- Local Authority Sports Development Units
- Local Authority Volunteer teams
- Community sports clubs
What is a Leadership Academy?
A Leadership Academy provides additional regular support for outstanding young leaders aged 14-19. Delivered by the School Sport Partnerships, the format of Academies may vary but the principle aims are:
- Signpost to or deliver appropriate qualifications
- Provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning
- Share volunteer opportunities with young people and support them into these placements
- Provide mentoring support to young leaders
- Celebrate, profile and reward the contribution of young leaders
What is GreaterSport’s role?
GreaterSport will support the development of all Leadership Academies across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, by working with the lead officers to ensure the pathway is in place and any training needs are addressed. We also work with NGBs, Sports Development Units and community clubs to broker high quality placement opportunities and ensure as many young people aged 16-19 from Leadership Academies are in a placement as possible.
Individuals in the club will be offered support or training to make sure that the experience of supporting a young volunteer is positive for all involved. GreaterSport will work with local level contacts to identify clubs that will offer a safe and quality experience as part of this scheme.
How can I support this scheme?
If you are aged 11-19, are in education in Greater Manchester and you want to get involved in sports volunteering, then ask at your school or college about the Step into Sport scheme.
If you are a sports club and have a volunteer role that a young volunteer could step into, then please download and complete this form, and send to the return address. We can then help promote your opportunity through the Step into Sport online system.
Similarly, if you are an NGB looking to increase youth volunteering within your sport, we can help support this ambition.
SiS Volunteer Passport
Step into Sport volunteers should register on the Online Passport system, where they can provide information about their placements and record their hours. Certificates will be issued on the basis of hours verified through the system.
School support staff and club Volunteer Coordinators are also expected to register on the site to track and manage these placements. Please visit the below link to register:
https://sisvp.youthsporttrust.org/sisvp/
You can download a Powerpoint training guide to the Passport here.
Further information
To find out more you can contact Chris Knapman, Step into Sport Officer at GreaterSport.
Further information, including useful documents, can be found on the Youth Sport Trust website here: http://www.youthsporttrust.org/page/step-into-sport/index.html.
