Leadership Project

During academic year 2009-10, 24% of pupils in North Dorset schools were involved in some form of Sports Leadership and Volunteering. That is in excess of 2,400 more pupils than in 2004, when the School Sport Partnership programme began.

In North Dorset schools there is now a clear pathway of opportunity, and access to numerous resources and courses. All schools have been provided with the Dorset Leadership Resource, which provides plans and templates for use in lessons and / or after school clubs.

Primary schools have been given training and equipment which should enable them to be able to have Playground Activity Leaders volunteering during break times and lunchtimes.

A range of national governing body (NGB) leadership sports qualifications have been provided or subsidised by NDSSP, to supplement the Sports Leaders UK or BTEC courses already being delivered within North Dorset secondary schools. Students regularly receive appropriate training in order to organise and / or support events which take place in their schools and the wider community.

Leadership Academy
A total of 38 Students from across North Dorset were selected by each of the 5 secondary schools in the area to attend a 3 day Leadership Academy during October half term, 2010.

The group gelled well whilst receiving training in first aid, disability football, volleyball, tri-golf and ‘The 5 abilities'. They then chose a 1 day NGB course to follow, which was delivered by a coach from a local club. Students will complete this qualification and receive their certification once they have assisted in coaching some sessions and helped to deliver a festival or competition in that sport later this year
They worked enthusiastically during those days to gain a number of National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications and worked with a range of sports coaches. They are now fully equipped to support local sports clubs and sports events and I wish them every success with their future volunteering and coaching.

Many thanks must go to Mike Burke for delivering some of the sessions and helping to put the Academy programme together; Helen Barnett-Moore from Blandford Gym Club; Andy Jones from Wessex Volleyball Club; Di Tilsley from Wimborne Orienteering; Jo Weedall from Littledown Leisure Centre; Darren Stratman from Canford Magna Golf Academy and Gary Knight from Dorset FA. Without them it would not have been possible to organise such an action packed and informative few days. Finally a huge thanks to Bryanston School, for providing the use of their facilities.