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East Volleyball Federation Development Plan July 2007

1. Introduction

This version of the plan agreed in principle at the regions AGM on 31^st March 2007 was then circulated to county contacts and Volleyball England for consultation. It was adopted on 2^nd July. It draws on the work of Volleyball England (VE), its 2005-9 Whole Sport Plan and Regional Development Plan template, the EssexVA Development Plan and various pieces of work undertaken on behalf of the Region by its officers – see Appendices.

The period 2007-2013 is deliberate. From 2007 the region will move to a region lite delivery where counties will be expected to take a greater role in development. This is partly by choice following an EGM in September 2006, but also a reflection of the limited capacity of volunteers. The 2013 end date is set to go beyond the London Olympic and Paralympic Games as we must think beyond that momentous event if legacy is to be achieved.

This is the first such plan and has had to be constructed without the benefit of bottom up plans from five of the six counties, Essex having completed such a plan two years ago that is now being revised. It is hoped that as time passes other counties will follow suit. Certainly it is anticipated that the document will evolve as regards both strategy and action plans. The strategy is expected to undergo a major review during its first year as there are proposals to alter the funding arrangements for selected sports to increase the amounts directed through regions as opposed to national levels. It is proposed that action plans be subject to annual review with the first year detailed and subsequent years indicative only.

2. Background

2.1 Sport in England is undergoing a significant period of transformation which commenced even before the award of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to London with the recognition by government of the arguments that sport and physical activity could help deliver social and health (and therefore financial) benefits. Game Plan published in Dec 2002 has led to major changes in infrastructure and delivery through state education, the separation of participation from elite performance and the roll out of ‘The Delivery System for Sport in England’ which seeks to provide a framework at national, regional, county and community levels. The aim is for increased numbers taking part especially amongst the hard to reach and to build talent pathways to support young people. This delivery structure is led at each layer by the public sector and its agencies but includes the voluntary and community plus private sectors. Its primary metric is an annual increase of 1% pa in the levels of participation in ‘sport’ where this here extends beyond traditional sports to physical activity in a range of forms so that dancing, walking, even gardening is included.

From an EVF perspective the key organisations in this Delivery System are now - Sport England East Regional Sports Board which has its own strategy for the region and controls use of the Community Investment Fund; East National Governing Body Forum and the Regional Coach Development Group. There are other groups with which there is value in maintaining contact. The CCPR regional body – The Federation of Eastern Sport was dissolved earlier in 2007, but if and when a successor appears membership there should be reconsidered.

2.2 East of England is one of 9 English regions and consists of the 6 counties of Bedfordshire (incl Luton Unitary), Cambridgeshire (incl Peterborough Unitary), Essex (incl Thurrock and Southend Unitaries), Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The population of 5.46m (9.2% of UK) has increased by 12.5% between 1981-2003 and will rise to 6.14m by 2021 with over half over age 50. 50% of the population live in rural areas; the region has no major conurbations but includes a number of mid size new and historic cities and market towns. It has higher proportions of older people but lower levels of BME communities than nationally. Within this overall picture there are a full range of different population make ups with Luton having significant BME communities and region-wide 92 wards falling into the most deprived in England. Recent years have also seen an influx of migrants from Europe often working for minimum wage in agricultural communities. The economy has undergone significant structural change away from agriculture towards service industries. Proximity to London especially Herts and Essex dictates transport links are primarily radial although the A14 has alleviated this. There are good links to the continent via Stansted and Luton (home of budget airlines), Harwich and Lowestoft. Most public sector regional offices are based in Cambridge making it a de facto capital although many other population centres exist including Peterborough, Norwich, Hertford, Ipswich, Luton, Bedford, Colchester and Chelmsford. In Thames Gateway (South Essex), Haven Gateway (NE Essex and SE Suffolk) and M11 corridor the region has 3 of the 4 national development areas and will see significant expansion in housing development over the next 15 years.

2.3 East Volleyball Federation has a long history going back to 1960’s and was formed by Neville Lewis then an officer with Sport England. It consists of a loose federation of the county associations from the six member counties. Those counties have waxed and waned over this time. Bedfordshire at present does not have a county structure although contact is maintained with clubs and schools in the county that play. The strength of the Federation has always come from its counties and their strength often reflects the local clubs, schools and universities, population size and geographical factors. Essex with the highest population (1.63m or 30% of total) and high population density has been the most active in the last decade including filling many regional officer roles. The region continues to field teams in NVL at varying levels but has often struggled to maintain a presence in Divisions 1. However its junior/school/Uni teams have been traditionally strong with some e.g. Cambs Uni, Tendring (Essex) and St Clement Dane (Herts) consistently producing teams and players of high quality who have won national and junior interregional titles and gone on to represent England. Current figures for affiliations for clubs, coaches and referees are shown in Appendix A and outlines of the counties are shown at Appendix B.

The region is part of the administrative structure of volleyball in Great Britain. It is an unincorporated body managed by unpaid voluntary officers elected annually at its AGM. Structurally, it sits between the six counties and Volleyball England (VE) with voting membership extending to all, regional colleges, schools, coaches, referees or individuals in affiliation with VE. The role of regions is currently defined in Volleyball England’s constitution as ‘regional administration’ although the regional constitution, which VE have ratified, expands on this with the aim:
- … to increase the number of young people and adults participating in volleyball within the Eastern Region.
- to improve and develop performance structures so that participants at all levels of the sport may achieve individual and team success.
Against this must be set the capacity and resources of the region and its counties to deliver such aims. These mainly consist of unpaid volunteer time in a climate of increasing red tape, pressure for accreditation and training and increasing work pressures on free time when capacity is already stretched.

3. Vision and aims

3.1 Vision Volleyball is an accessible sporting choice for people of East Region

This vision encompasses the three major forms of the sport – indoor, beach and sitting and the concepts of equity as being accessible to all.

3.2 Region-lite approach.

In delivering this vision the region sees its role as complementary to that of counties and local clubs where most of the actual delivery will be based. Equally there are tasks and actions which VE nationally are better resourced to undertake with its team of full time professional officers. EVF will focus on the participation and development of players up to regional representative level rather than the elite and NVL areas which are rightly the province of VE.

As a Federation of willing partners in counties, clubs and individuals, EVF does not envisage becoming a major organisation in its own right. It is the servant of this membership and seeks to support rather than displace those working in counties, clubs and education actually delivering development of the sport to its participants. Regional resources will continue to consist primarily of the expertise and freely given time of its officers. This willingness however has to be two way and this means regional effort will be focussed on those counties supporting and working with EVF.

Therefore the Region-lite principle on which this plan is based is that EVF will only take the lead in activities where at least one of the following apply:
- the task is obviously best suited to a regional level approach e.g. where regional representation is required such as regional junior squads.
- the economies of scale justify a regional role e.g. certain courses.
- the activity is new and may need support to become established e.g. sitting volleyball.
- or where counties agree that the EVF undertakes a particular task and the necessary resources can be secured.

It is worth being clear here that this means the region does not currently see a direct and major role in the actions for:

- club development e.g. formation, accreditation (where VE can provide guidance and support and counties are best placed to mentor and deliver)
- education, beyond activities at regional level (where again guidance comes from VE, but resources and local knowledge resides in counties)

Also the regional role in areas such as volunteer development, refereeing and coaching will be selective and may in some areas limited to advocacy or co-ordination at regional or national levels. Appendices C and D seek to identify some of the action areas regions and counties will be responsible for.

3.3 Aims

These aims identify those areas of activity where the region will seek to lead
a) Act as a communications link between VE and counties
- managing flows of information to and from VE through use of electronic and other means
- representing the region in VE groups and commissions
b) Support the development of coaches and referees through:
- organising courses at level 4 (referees) and level 2 (coaches) to meet aggregate county demand
- support Coach Commission in growing the number of active female coaches
- supporting referee, coach and administrators through suitable mentoring, workshop and subsidy schemes
- encouraging, promoting and co-ordinating the running of all courses in and across counties
- assisting the identification and development of tutors
c) Run regional competitions
- providing events that allow teams to compete at a suitable level against others from outside their home county
- to provide experience and a platform to demonstrate their capability for teams that aspire to join NVL
d) Co-ordinate appropriate representative squads
- co-ordinate the region’s junior regional squads as part of the National Talent Development Program
- lead the establishment of a junior beach program
- encourage and promote the development of sitting volleyball towards a regional squad
e) To be fit for purpose
- to manage its affairs efficiently and effectively
- to operate within principles of good governance including those of equity and equality
- to support and promote initiatives from VE that help deliver the regional vision
- to support the formation and continuance of effective county associations
f) Represent the interests of volleyball in regional fora
- to identify and engage with suitable regional groups

3.4 Priorities
For at least the first year priority for location of deployment of resources will be:
High – Essex, Cambs Medium – Norfolk, Suffolk Low – Beds, Herts This reflects the present engagement of counties to support EVF.
In terms of activities the highest first year priorities are officer recruitment, realistic development plan, referee recruitment and development and sitting volleyball. We also recognise VE Coach Commission desire to grow the number of female active coaches.

4. Action plans

Note these include ‘business as normal’ in some areas. EVF will also seek to take advantage of opportunities that arise outside these specific actions.

5. Issues to be resolved. These include
- How to build in and evidence growth across those areas we can influence. Is what’s in the plan enough?

- Key Performance Indicator’s – Unresolved

. Active People and PESSCL data investigated and not suitable.
. Those in the Whole Sport Plan may be suitable. (advice awaited).
Should we only track what EVF can influence directly and how do we help meet VE targets and what others want to achieve.
- regional role where county does not exist (4.17) or take on their expected responsibilities (4.1)
- resources and finance (4.16 above)
- regional role, if any, as regards Community Sports Coaches (enquiry to VE)
- Impact of Sport England plans to fund NGB’s at regional level (Ongoing discussions by Regional Rep)

Appendices

A Numbers of registered clubs. Coaches and referees

B County profiles

C Roles under region-lite - Region

D Roles under region-lite - counties

E Regional Sports Facilities – EVF response Dec 06 (also lists events held in region)

F Regional Workforce Development Plans – EVF response Dec 06

Appendix A - Numbers registered with Volleyball England

Clubs

Coaches

Bedfordshire

- County association has lapsed
- No NVL representation
- No known organised competition
- Teams in Bedford and Cranfield

Cambridgeshire

- County association, no website
- 4 NVL Cambridge VC sides (M1, M3 (2, 1 of which will be promoted) and W3).
- Organised competitions with leagues for men, women and cups
- Part time Community Sports Coach based in Cambridge
- Teams grouped around Cambridge and Peterborough

Essex

- Strong county association with established web site www.volleyball.co.uk which hosts EVF site
- 4 NVL teams based at two clubs (Brentwood M2, M3, W3E),Tendring (M3)
- Open (13 teams)& Women’s (3 ) leagues and 4 cup competitions includes 2 from East London.
- Second development plan in preparation
- Good links to County Sports Partnership (SLA signed)
- Centres of junior excellence in Tendring where full time Community Sports Coach in place
- Strong junior pedigree with Boswells and Tendring Schools winning several national titles
- Centres for playing Brentwood, Chelmsford and Tendring

Hertfordshire

- County association with established website www.hertsvolleyball.co.uk
- 2 NVL sides (M2 and W3)
- League competition for men (16 teams in 2 div) and women (7 teams) plus cups, includes some
from out of county
- Centres for playing Berkhamsted, Kings Langley, St Albans Watford, Welwyn.

Norfolk

- County association reformed in 2006. Website www.norfolkvolleyball.org
- 1 NVL side (M2)
- UEA (Norwich) a major regional and national competition centre
- Host Great Yarmouth Beach Classic part of national Grand Prix circuit
- Most clubs centred around Norwich

Suffolk

- Long established county association with website www.suffolkvolleyball.oorg.uk
- 9 teams across 2 leagues and cups
- 2 NVL sides (both M3)
- Ipswich VC first in region to gain Volley 1 accreditation
- Centres for playing Ipswich and Stowmarket

Appendix C - Region-lite, regional role.

Results given below of consultation Nov 2006 listing only those chosen by 2 or more.

The 2007 AGM agreed those highlighted are adopted as East Region Lite from 1^st April 2007 and indicated who if anyone should do the other tasks.

Appendix D - Region-lite, county role.

For region-lite to work effectively each level within the structure needs to know and undertake their role. This list seek to identify what ideally a county might undertake. This is not intended to dictate that role more to identify actions that the local association is uniquely well placed to undertake for the development of volleyball.

NGB Questionnaire – EVF response December 2006

Please answer the questions below in relation to your sport.

How have you arrived at this conclusion? (please explain your thinking – i.e. lack of facilities for junior participation)

1. What are the future facility requirements for your sport in the East of England? Please detail requirements (including potential locations) and identify these in order of priority:

1. Are you involved in any capital projects for your sport within the region? (could be through local authority investment, club investment, HE/FE investment). Yes/No
2. Please detail any major venues or national training centres for your sport in the East Region.

1. Does your sport currently host any events above county level within the East of England? Yes/No

If yes, please provide details:

There is also a regional outdoor tournament that has started up during 2006 at Perkins Sports facility, Peterborough.

If yes, please detail;

OR, if no, what would be required in order to do so?

9. Please feel free to make any other comments you feel are relevant:

PLEASE RETURN YOUR QUESTIONNIARE TO philipbarefoot@strategicleisure.co.uk or nickystatham@strategicleisure.co.uk By Friday 22^nd December 2006

• Establish better baselines for data including levels of commitment and aspirations
• Ensure volleyball is recognized within WFD plans
• More referees

• Overload on existing volunteers (minimal professional support)
• CSP/SE recognition of volleyball’s place as a priority sport
• Maintaining any enthusiasm against ever rising bureaucracy

• Recognition that our Olympic and Paralympic sport across three disciplines is currently under-developed and needs inclusion as a priority
• Investment into Community Sports Coaches to achieve penetration especially into state education
• Increased administrative support at all levels and/or, more welcome, a reduction in bureaucracy
  

Where are your identified growth areas in your sport and in the Region?

• Junior development (schools - start, school club links - stay, talent identification and development - succeed)
• Beach volleyball (recreational on coast – start, inland court (Cambridge?) and Great Yarmouth tournament – succeed)
• Sitting Volleyball (come and try – start, regular training in counties, regional tournament – stay, elite squad – succeed)
  Locations
• Essex – Tendring, Chelmsford, Brentwood
• Cambs – Cambridge.
• Norfolk – Norwich, Coastal
  There is also a potential to attract migrant workers reflecting volleyball’s major status on mainland Europe and South America.
  Personnel
• Community Sports coaches
• Course Tutors
• Teachers