Rachel Sullivan
Name: Rachel Sullivan
Job Title: Senior Sports Development Officer
Organisation: Humber Sports Partnership
I have established close links with National Governing Bodies and will be undertaking a specific lead role with the following sports:
- Netball
- Cycling
- Table Tennis
- Swimming
- Basketball,
- Tennis
- Athletics
- Badminton
Looking back over the last 12 months...
SPORTS AND VOLUNTEERS
I have supported the work of eight sports across the Humber sub-region. These include: athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, netball, swimming, table tennis, tennis.
I work in partnership with Regional Managers from each National Governing Body of Sport as well as the local volunteers who lead and deliver their particular sport.
The last 12 months have been extremely busy with exciting new developments taking place in all of these sports. NGB's, local councils and club volunteers have joined up to develop new sub-regional and local development groups to join togther their work together.
We have establised a new Badminton Development Group for Hull and East Riding, a Humber Cycle Sport Association; a Humber Swimming Partnership and a Humber Table Tennis Development Group . The aim of these groups is to join up their thinking, work together to deliver sport across the Humber.
I have also been involved in strengthening existing development group stuctures for example the Humberside County Netball Association now has a management board with three sub-groups focusing on a competition, education and development. Moreover, athletics now have a management board with three local groups.
These development groups are crucial to drive sport forward across the Humber sub-region. Local sports experts representing clubs, volunteer their time to plan, coordinate and deliver their sport. We want sport to become sustainable, we want to recruit and retain volunteers so that the sporting infrastructure gives everyone the chance to participate and succeed in sport.
Without volunteers sports could not function. Therefore, my role has also included working with Volunteer Centre's. This year saw sport development officers and volunteer centre managers come together as a sub-region to discuss ways of working together. This will be invaluable in months to come.
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding is an important element of sport and is essential that the HSP advocate and influence this work. Therefore, as the Child Protection Lead Officer for the Humber Sports Partnership means that I have been working with our local authority partners and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to renew our Policy. I have developed a Safeguarding through Sport Group to drive this work forward. The group have also been working towards the Intermediate Standard for Safeguarding Children and Young People.
PE AND SCHOOL SPORT (PESSCL)
Working in partnership with Partnership Development Managers has ensured that the Youth Sports Trust programme has been delivered effectively. This includes Step into Sport, School Sport Coordinator (SSCo) Training and Networking and Multi Skills.
Step into Sport has been a great sucess with several young people attending a Humber conference at the KC Stadium. From this young people were provided with a suitable sports environment to volunteer. I have worked with Connexions Humber to produce a Step into Sport DVD to share and promote the programme. This will help the programme in future years to recruit and retain more volunteers in sport.
This year saw the first SSCo training and netwoking opportunities delivered across the sub-region. SSCo's came together to receive up to date information as well as to network with their colleagues. We hope to build on the success of this in next year.
Looking Ahead...
I intend to continue supporting the eight sports including regional managers and volunteers. Together we intend to make certain each sport has a clear focus and vision through their development plans so that we can build on last years success.
I want to ensure the HSP achieves the Intermediate Standard. The new Safeguarding Policy "The Power of Sport in Safeguarding Children and Young People" will be published and distributed to all partners. The Safeguarding through Sport Groups action plan will be delivered. Part of this includes a Raising Awareness Event for staff across the HSP. Other important developments will be the production of the Safeguarding Toolkit. Look out for this it will help your sport!
We will continue to deliver the Youth Sports Trust Agreement in partnership with Partnership Development Managers. We will see more young people involved in the Step into Sport programme and see more SSCo's taking advantage of the training and networking opportunities.
Thank you to those of you who have been working hard with me to develop and grow sport across the Humber.