Monday, November 06, 2006
Sport England South West Regional Conference – 8/9 March 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
“From Playground to Podium”
The key note speakers were very well informed and provided concise and, in some cases, illuminating presentations on critical areas in creating pathways from the playground to the podium in London 2012.
Dawn Brooksbanks (Steve Grainger) – Youth Sport Trust
● emphasised the centrality of the school system
● stressed the need to work in partnership with external organisations such as SCUK, the NGB’s and the CSP’s
● highlighted the importance of the School Sports Partnerships and the SSCO programme
● confirmed the funding to implement the PESSCL strategy.
Peter Keen – UK Sport Performance Director (slides available from me in hard copy)
● confirmed the importance of success in London 2012
● confirmed the necessity of a “performance pipeline”
● stated that a national framework, with connected central systems and services is essential
● specified the necessary infrastructure and operational costs
● provided statistical data based on LTAD, with numbers of athletes identified at the early stage required to supply Olympic success at elite level
● stressed that a scientific, clinical approach similar to the Australian system is required for a successful conclusion
● stressed that a “no compromise” approach in terms of funding and resources has been adopted by UK sport towards the Government.
Patrick Duffy – Chief Executive, SCUK (slides available from me in hard copy)
● discussed the role of SCUK in creating pathways for children, players and athletes
● highlighted the role of the coach at different stages
● outlined the SCUK Action Plan for coaching and its place in an integrated system for the UK
● confirmed the role of the LTAD model and stressed the need for a Long Term Coach Development Plan, with coaching as a legitimate profession.
Richard Caborn – Minister for Sport
● predictably, spoke in “Ministerspeak”
● quoted facts and figures about what the Government has invested and achieved
● stated the Governments commitment to continued support and the need for success in London 2012
● outlined the programme for a Schools Olympics, staged annually in different areas of the UK, beginning in Scotland and concluding in London in 2012 (interestingly, this has been confirmed in the media this week, as has an investment of £600 million for elite sport).
All the powerpoint presentations should be available soon on the Sport England website (South West)
Harry Richardson
