Irish Squash Federation. Strategic Plan

Transcription

1 Irish Squash Federation Strategic Plan

2 Contents Introduction Irish Squash Structure Irish Sports Council Perspective Irish Squash Federation Perceptive Key Strategic Areas and Goals Governance and Management Developing the Sport Participation Competitions High Performance Facilities PR and Marketing

3 Vision To make squash in Ireland a leading world class sport, suitable for all family members. Mission Statement To promote squash in Ireland as a healthy, invigorating, lifelong sport that is played by a significant number of people of all ages and all classes of society at all levels. To develop squash in Ireland as a truly world-class sport.

4 Introduction The Irish Squash Federation* is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of squash in Ireland and is officially recognised as such by the Irish Sports Council. The Irish Squash Federation is an All Ireland Body encompassing the 32 counties with the four Regional Provinces being responsible for organising Leagues and Competitions. As a National Governing Body we proactively develop and promote squash. We offer a comprehensive range of support and services at national, regional and local levels including: Events and competitions for all ages and abilities Coaching Education Programmes Advice on Technical and Maintenance services Structured Development Programmes Raise awareness of the sport Irish Squash is a member of the World Federation of Squash (WSF) and the European Federation of Squash (ESF). Irish Squash is an organisation funded from the following sectors: Public Sector Funding (Irish Sports Council) Membership / Affiliation Fees Private Sector Sponsorship Squash has been voted the world s healthiest sport by Forbes magazine in a technical survey that included measure of cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and calories burnt. Squash is a game for life and can be played from ages 5 80 yrs approx. In a recent ESRI study (Sporting Lives: An Analysis of a Lifetime of Irish Sport) it was noted that team sports are played at a younger age with a transition to more individual sports in adulthood. This trend should place squash in a strong position in terms of building a life-long sport model. We also aware that the proportion of the population that is overweight is increasing. To combat this trend, sport and physical activity have a key role to play. Squash is ideal for those with a busy lifestyle as one can play a good game, have a fun workout, shower and change inside one hour. You only have to find one opponent and because it is indoors, it never gets rained off! Irish Squash Structure The broad structure of Irish Squash is made up of The Irish Squash Board, Irish Squash President, Provincial Representatives. Irish Squash run competitions through each province which govern the leagues and competitions in each of their areas Munster, Ulster, Connacht and Leinster. All of these positions are run on a voluntary basis. In addition Irish Squash have two paid staff members Operations Manager and Office Administrator. Irish Squash Perspective While Irish Squash is a small organisation with very limited resources it has a wide remit resulting in a heavy workload. We as an organisation are developing to meet the needs and demands of our members and the squash playing public in an environment where in many instances professional standards are expected from largely voluntary organisations. As a governing body we have a unique set of responsibilities. We aim to remain true to the spirit of sport in everything we do, by aspiring to: Fairness we will treat everyone and every situation equitably Openness and Honesty we will be transparent in our dealings and explain what we do and how we do it. We will communicate as widely and effectively as we can Ethics we will ensure that we fulfil our role in: - the promotion and development of best practice in anti doping - the safeguarding of all young people involved in our sports through the awareness, education of all those involved, as well as robust systems for the management of all child protection issues - providing equality of opportunity for all sections of the community by a commitment throughout the organisation to the understanding of barriers to participation and specific initiatives to break down those barriers and promote inclusion Implementing this strategic plan, will give Irish Squash a clear focus on its goals and targets for the coming years Based on improving the already strong governance within our organisation we will be clearly able to map these goals to results. Overall we will be in a strong position to sustain, grow and develop our sport for the coming years ahead Irish Sports Council Perspective The Irish Sports Council (ISC) is tasked by the Government with administering, developing, leading and coordinating the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland. It is the main public sector partner of NGBs. Modern NGBs are tasked by the ISC to govern & develop their respective sports in line with best practice and have obligations to develop all aspects of their sport. The ISC in their Strategic Planning Guidelines for National Governing Bodies outline some key points in relation to the importance of having a realistic and vibrant plan. While the below points have been noted in some other NGB Plans, we believe it is important to include the following in this plan also: No NGB has the right to Public Funding. Each NGB has to take responsibility to seek funding from its members for administration. ISC funding will be used for development of the game in addition to increasing participation Sports Council Funding is not open ended the Government and the Irish Sports Council seek a tangible return for money and the delivery of worthwhile results Although volunteers give up their time without payment, investing in voluntary bodies does not automatically result in good value for money. NGB s need to demonstrate that investing in them is value for money which will deliver results. In turn, this means that their strategic plans must set out clearly the best way to foresee (or predict) what they plan to achieve, how, when and at what cost To maximise the impact of all the work done in the past number of years (creation and development of the Irish Sports Council, Northern Ireland Sport and Coaching Ireland) in order to build an effective support infrastructure for Irish Sport NGBs are key partners in the task of enriching the lives of all Irish people through sport by developing an active culture in sport, developing an effective organisational structure and providing pathways towards the development of both individual fulfilment and high performance The Irish Sports Council is accountable to Government for the use of state funding allocated to sport. In order to make the case for additional funding it has to demonstrate that both it and its partners are effective and provide value for money. That can only be done when there is clarity in what each is trying to achieve and how the impact of their work can be measured. In the current economic climate this is now more important than ever The ISC needs to know which NGBs can do this most effectively, how and what they plan to deliver and the support they will need * Hereafter referred to as Irish Squash

5 Key Strategic Areas and Goals Governance and Management Strategic Area Key Performance Indicators Target Date Governance and Management Game Development Irish Squash as a professionally run NGB with strong structures in place and respected by all members Streamline the Membership Process leading to an increase in subscriptions Development of new programmes to increase participation in the game at all levels Strategic Area Irish Squash as a professionally run NGB. Good management structures in office with Operations Manager, Office Administrator and President at the helm. Irish Squash Board Members to attend at least 90% of meetings. Manage the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Effectively manage and maximise finances. 1.2 Membership streamline membership making it more accessible for members to join Irish Squash. Investment in online membership database to keeping accurate records and giving visibility on areas for improvements. Participation New Coaching Syllabus, Referee and Player Development Programmes delivered annually in line with set targets and budgets A team of provincial development officers in place to lead programmes at grass roots level and engage with clubs Sustain and grow squash clubs in each province Women in Sport delivery of comprehensive programmes for women both junior and senior Develop links with LSPs and City / Town Councils to deliver squash and sports programmes Increase Community Based Programmes Develop links with other racquet sports, working together to achieve common goals Increase participation in Schools and Colleges Club Development Programme Volunteer Recruitment Programme Pilot Project Dublin Area Competitions Enhance and develop Squash Calendar Varsity Squash League linked to Irish Squash Development of white collar business squash ladders/leagues 2010 / / 2011 High Performance Raise playing standards on Irish Squads Increase number of players Ranked in Top Tiers Continue to attract world class highly ranked players to the Irish Open Trained Referees on International Circuit Facilities Increase Access to Facilities Conduct Audit Year 1 completion PR and Marketing Raise profile of squash through local and National media Create independent revenue streams through marketing and corporate arrangements

6 Game Development Participation Strategic Area 2 Strategic Area Development of new programmes to increase participation across all levels this will include both junior, senior and masters levels. A pathway for those players to stay involved in the game from junior to masters level. 2.2 New Coaching Syllabus Coaching Levels breakdown as level 1, level 2, level 3. Level 1 will encompass the mini squash programme which will lead to a large increase in qualified coaches and younger players. Level 2 and Level 3 are more advanced leading to a more developed pathway for coaches and players. These pathways are also in line with the Long Term Player Athlete Model (LTPAD). 2.3 A Team of Provincial Development Officers part time development officers working at grass roots level in each province led by a part time National Development Office. Programmes will be centred on mini squash and coaching programmes for female participants in line with Women in Sport criteria. Junior Squash Growing the numbers at youth level and introducing more children to the sport is a major priority. We will focus on a number of programmes to achieve this mainly through a Schools Squash Programme and a Mini Squash Programme. Main goals would be to increase the number of junior players by 30% by We will also work to establish links between schools and clubs identifying a pathway for younger players to advance. Irish Squash also aims to develop a junior club development programme which will enhance clubs to incorporate junior members. Establish annual squash summer camp programme. Junior player from Sutton Squash Club proudly displays some silverware 3.1 Club Growth and Sustainability work with clubs on their needs for growth and sustainment. Education in areas of club fundraising, attracting new members / open days, club administration and management. Focus on areas where potential growth can be achieved and programmes on reaching these goals. 3.2 Women in Sport continue with Women in Sport programmes and examining ways of increasing participation and progress in this area. Review of females across all sectors of the game and investigation of methods for increasing participation. 3.3 Develop Links with Local Sports Partnerships and City / Town Councils working with the well-established networks of LSPs on programmes and areas where we can become involved in multisport programmes, also with Dublin City Council on similar type programmes ensuring usage of their squash facilities is maintained. 3.4 Community Based Programmes to be implemented using Squash Busters model combining after-schools homework club with squash using suitable areas with specific focus on RAPID areas. 3.5 Develop Links with other racquet sports work with our colleagues in Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis, Racquetball and soft Tennis on how we can assist each other while working to the same goals of increasing participation. 3.6 Increased Participation in Schools and Colleges work to increase schools levels and introduce school children to our game. Squash transplantee winner pictured left from Sandycove Club Dublin displaying her gold medal at the 2009 World Transplant Games Australia 3.7 Club Development Programme improve relationships between clubs and Irish Squash through club development type programmes. Examine ways of strengthening clubs links between Irish Squash and the club base. 3.8 Volunteer Recruitment Programmes volunteers are the lifeblood of all sports in Ireland and squash is no exception. All tournaments are dependent on volunteers and much of the coaching is also carried out by volunteers. There is an urgent need to increase the number of Level 1 and Level 2 coaches; this will be facilitated by the rapid implementation of the new Syllabi in 2010.

7 Competitions High Performance Strategic Area 4 Strategic Area Continue to enhance and develop Squash Calendar and its comprehensive programme of events. The events in Irish Squash Calendar are PSA events and attract international interest. 4.2 Varsity Squash League develop and enhance and All Ireland Varsity Squash league work with CUSAI (Colleges and Universities Sports Associations Ireland) on how to incorporate a squash varsity league to their calendar of events. 4.3 White Collar / Business Squash Ladder Explore opportunities to set up a business league and options of using facilities at lunch times or how this could be operated. 4.5 European Club Championships plans for Irish Squash to host European Club Championships in Raise Playing Standards of Irish Squash provide appropriate training for National Teams. Compete successfully at international events. Develop anti doping and education programmes. Develop Irish Coaches to International Standards. Identity and develop emerging talented players to their full potential. 5.2 Increase number of players in top tiers. 5.3 Attract World Class Players to Irish Open 5.4 International Referees on circuit a pathways programme for referees to advance to the top levels of the game

8 Facilities PR and Marketing Strategic Area Facilities develop a facilities database with access via website of where facilities are located and links to access, pricing and availability. Work to develop new facilities and how squash can be included in the building of new sports centres. Seek to retain existing facilities where at all possible. Continuous Update of Irish Squash website with maps to squash clubs and locations. Strategic Area Promote Irish Squash Federation and membership 7.2 Increase sponsorship for Events and for Irish Squash 7.3 Maximise the use of the internet Irish Squash Website and other online resources 7.4 Promote Squash through media with an increase of reports being sent to Local and National Media Streams. Roll out of reporting tools for schools and junior competitions 7.5 Explore and Implement texting service to members with reminders for events and results service on major events.

9 Irish Squash Federation e: t: f: Sport HQ, 13 Joyce Way, Park West, Dublin 12, Ireland.