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Yorkshire Sport Foundation Newsletter

Active Recovery Hub launched to keep kids active
Find out more

A new Active Recovery Hub has been launched this week to provide schools, local authorities and families with easy access to free resources to get children moving before, during and after the school day.We have provided our #ThisIsPE resource to the Active Recovery Hub, led by Youth Sport Trust and Sport England with the support of funding from the National Lottery.It follows a commitment in the Government’s School Sport and Activity Action Plan to extend the School Games website to help teachers and parents find opportunities for young people to compete and get active.  
 
New sensory walk resource Find out more
Sense Active have partnered with Great Britain’s national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey, to ensure Sensory Walks are easily discoverable through their OS Maps App, as part of its Sport England funded project ‘Sense, Active Together’.Sensory Walks enable people with complex disabilities explore the outdoors and engage more meaningfully with nature. Each of the OS Maps app routes come with accessibility information including key milestones, and sensory highlights that are suitable for people with sensory impairments and complex disabilities.The maps are available via the free OS Maps App using either your web browser or can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.  
  
Nominations open for school awards Find out more
This week has seen the launch of our Active School Awards 2021, recognising the schools in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire who have put sport and activity at the heart of what they do, despite the challenges faced during the last year.Nominations are open until Monday 7 June, with winners set to be announced from each of the nine districts, as well as two overall county winners.ukactive Kids, in partnership with Nike, has announced a nationwide campaign to recognise unsung primary school staff who have inspired physical activity among schoolchildren during a challenging year for their mental and physical health. Find out more about it.  
  
Top mental health sports charity launches young persons programme
Find out more

Sport in Mind, the mental health sports charity that celebrated its 10th anniversary this month, is now proud to announce its new ground-breaking Young Persons Programme.Sport in Mind’s new programme will provide sport and exercise opportunities for children and young people aged seven – 18 who are experiencing mental health problems.Full details of the range of activities offered by Sport in Mind can be found on the charity’s website, www.sportinmind.org.  
  
News in brief  
Take our communications survey
Let us know what you’d like to see more of, and less of, in YSF Weekly. Take the survey…
NHS Facebook campaign helps prevent Type 2 diabetes in men over 40
The NHS is using Facebook to reach millions of men aged 40 and over who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Find out more…
Rugby League links with Leeds Beckett University in major new research project
The Rugby Football League will shortly launch a pilot for an extensive game-wide research project to quantify the risk of head impact in the sport. Find out more…
Experiences of female skateboarders to be explored in new research project
The experiences of female skateboarders, their sense of identity and their place in the skateboarding community are to be studied as part of a new project by researchers at Sheffield Hallam University and Nottingham Trent University. Find out more…
How can sport safeguard children?
An animation has been produced to help anyone involved in delivering sport or activities to children and young people. It shows the difference between child protection and safeguarding in a sports setting. Find out more…
Applications open for new female coaching pathway programme
A new Female Coaching Pathway Programme for Rugby League has been launched, as the RFL and UK Coaching aim to fast-track the development of a new generation of female coaches. Find out more…
Let’s Talk Badminton
Badminton England is excited to announce the launch of Let’s Talk Badminton, their biggest ever community consultation designed to ensure that badminton returns stronger than ever. Find out more…  
  

Introducing Wheelchair Rugby League

“On first viewing, it looks like it shouldn’t be happening, but it challenges your preconceptions of disabled people.”

That is Tom Coyd’s honest verdict on wheelchair rugby league, a sport rising to prominence at a rapid speed.

Coyd is England’s head coach and is currently in the midst of plotting World Cup success later this year.

“It’s a clashing, brutal, violent game played at speed, which is terrifying to watch if you haven’t experienced it before.

“It’s a bit of a shock factor and people are definitely taken away by it.

“There is this view that ‘they’re vulnerable and they need to be looked after’ but wheelchair rugby league laughs in the face of that.”

Coyd and his team are stepping up their preparations ahead of their mid-season international against Wales in June before the World Cup kicks off later this year.

The men’s, women’s and wheelchair sides are all aiming for glory and there is a collective desire from all three teams under the England banner.

Coyd, appointed head coach last year after previously serving as assistant since 2017 under previous head coach Mark Roughsedge, hails from the Medway Dragons club in Kent.

His father, Martin Coyd OBE, is the general manager of England Wheelchair Rugby League and a driving force behind the game’s development.

“I studied sports science at Leeds Beckett University between 2013 and 2016,” explains 25-year-old Coyd.

“Then after graduating my dad was the general manager of the team with Mark Roughsedge. They wanted to improve the way that we trained and try and get a bit more scientific.

“With my sports science degree, I was asked if I would be interested in joining as an assistant coach and trying to improve our practices, basically.

“I thought about it and said ‘yes, it’s a fantastic opportunity’, so I joined in 2017 as Mark’s assistant.

“From then I’ve implemented the practices I’ve learned through my university studies which I thought would have a good impact in the wheelchair game.

“I’ve also tried to upskill myself as much as possible in disability literature, of which there is a fair bit.”

The England wheelchair team had a hectic 2019 with a two-match Test series in France, which ended 1-1 against the world’s top-ranked side, and a tour of Australia which saw them play five times.

They played North Queensland in Townsville, Queensland in Brisbane and New South Wales in Sydney.

They have not played since their tour down under due to the coronavirus pandemic, wrecking plans of a return Ashes series on home soil in 2020.

But they will face Wales at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Saturday, June 26 and there have been regular virtual meetings throughout the pandemic.

The squad’s first training session together in 2021 was held at the English Institute of Sport last month.

From his squad of 18, 12 are disabled and six are non-disabled and all are male, although the wheelchair is mixed gender at all levels of the game.

Coyd adds: “It’s five players on the pitch and the only rule is that three of them have to be physically disabled.

“But if your five best players are disabled then you can play them. It would be a dream to go all the way at the World Cup.”

The wheelchair tournament will see matches played at London’s Copper Box Arena, the English Institute of Sport and the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, with eight teams competing in two groups of four followed by the knockout stages.

Hosts England are in Group A with old rivals Australia and two of the sport’s newest nations in Spain and Norway.

Coyd adds: “We’ve got our fingers crossed that restrictions are eased to the point where we can have a massive crowd in the Copper Box.

“If we play well enough, we will go on to play in Sheffield and Liverpool, closer to the rugby league heartlands, if you like.

“That indoor atmosphere, where the sound cannot escape, and a sell-out crowd cheering on the boys in red and white, I think it will be a moment the boys will never ever forget.”

Coyd has forged relationships with England men’s coach Shaun Wane and England women’s coach Richards in a World Cup year.

“Shaun’s support has been amazing and he’s really generous with his time,” he says.

“Obviously he’s had great success as a coach and some unbelievable experience.

“He’s always been more than willing to share that knowledge and listen to my questions and concerns.

“It’ll be the same with Craig, so as a trio we’re obviously all pushing in the same direction to win three World Cups.

“But we definitely recognise that we’re going to be coming across similar sticking points so, if we can work collaboratively, I think we can do this better than any other nations.”

Domestically, the wheelchair game will see fixtures taking place across the UK leading into the World Cup.

Coyd explains: “The current thinking is that we will play double headers on a Saturday and a Sunday, so there will be three teams meeting at one venue.

“Each team will play two games of sixty minutes to get as much football in as possible.

“We have reduced the match time from 80 to 60 minutes because asking them to play potentially 160 minutes of football is putting them in a dangerous position, physically.

“But we just want to give the players as much exposure of the competition as possible to make up for lost time.

“That’s the plan at the moment and there will be teams travelling from as far south as Dartford and as far north as Dundee.

“We’ve got such a diverse range of players and their stories are all so different.”

Coyd cannot wait to experience the atmosphere of a crowd at wheelchair games again, adding: “With the size of the pitch being smaller than a normal rugby league field, fans are a lot closer to the action and, with it being indoors, none of the noise gets lost.

“You’re just right there in it, it’s completely immersive, and we do our absolute best to make it as recognisable to the 13-a-side running game. And we do a bloody good job of it.”

Yorkshire Sport Foundation Newsletter

  
Final opportunity to submit evidence to Policy Yorkshire
Have your say

There are just a few hours remaining to submit evidence to Policy Yorkshire on how to support people to become more active and access sport across the region as part of its recovery from the pandemic.Policy Yorkshire is the think tank for the Yorkshire and Humber region and the Physical Activity Policy Group is particularly interested in what actions around sport and physical activity are needed to help the region recover from the COVID pandemic and also contribute to the Government’s ambition of levelling up the country.Submissions can be made up to 5pm today (Friday 16 April) at policyyorkshire.org  
  
£18 million announced for cycle training for children and their families
Find out more

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced last week that £18 million will be made available for cycle training across the country.The funding aims to ensure children and their families have the confidence to choose active travel, as the government encourages everyone to choose to walk or cycle where possible.The funding, which is managed via the Bikeability Trust charity, will go toward delivering high-quality, practical on-road cycle training as a modern day equivalent of the ‘cycling proficiency’ scheme many parents will themselves have undertaken during their school days.  
  
Update on the joint review of racial inequality in sport
Find out more

The tackling race and racial inequality in sport review has now completed the two major pieces of work constituting its review.In September 2020, Sport England, UK Sport, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland came together to set out to tackle racism and racial inequality in sport with the collective ambition to have a sporting system which is truly inclusive and properly reflective of UK society.As part of the first phase of this initiative, the sports councils commissioned two pieces of work – a data gathering and analysis project led by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University and a lived experiences project led by AKD Solutions.Both pieces of work have now concluded and the five sports councils are currently in the final phase of the project, using the findings raised and presented to establish a full report and set of recommendations in line with the collective ambition. These are expected to be published at the end of May.  
  
Can you spare us a minute?
Tell us what you think

At Yorkshire Sport Foundation, we want to make sure the content you receive from us is relevant.We share news, updates and best practice from across the sector in this newsletter, on our website, social media channels and The YSF Podcast.We’d appreciate your input on what you’d like to hear more of, and how you want to receive it.Please take a couple of minutes to take part in our survey, which will remain open until 5pm on Friday 30 April.  
  
Leeds Sports Awards to be shown on TV
Nominate now

On Thursday 27 May, the Leeds Sports Awards will take place live on Leeds TV for the first time.2020 was a challenging year for everyone, with sport particularly badly affected at every level. Despite the difficult circumstances, there were some fantastic sporting performances from the city’s professional teams and athletes.More importantly was the incredible efforts of people and organisations from across the city who kept their communities active.The nomination process is now open so don’t miss out on your chance to nominate your favourite sporting stars and teams together with the unsung community heroes of 2020.  
  
News in brief  
Have your say: occupational standards for sport for development
Occupational standards can be used by employers to support workforce development, and can be used by education and training providers to develop new courses and qualifications. Find out more…

How can we encourage more female coaches in handball?
To help England Handball understand what more they can do to encourage more female coaches, they’re hosting an online workshop and want to hear from you. Find out more…

Sporting Equals Race Equality Event 2021
The recording of the event is now available. Find out more…

Try Tag Rugby to launch in Sheffield
Rugby Football League Partners, Try Tag Rugby, are excited to announce the start of a brand new league in Sheffield this summer. Find out more…  
  
  
  
Jobs
 RLSS Trainer Assessor – Casual
Organisation: Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL)
Application Deadline: 12:00am – Sun 18th April, 2021
Read More » 

Customer Service Executive
Application Deadline: 12:00am – Thu 22nd April, 2021
Read More » 

Vocational Education Officer
Application Deadline: 12:00am – Fri 23rd April, 2021Read More » 

Aquatic and Activity Activator
Organisation: Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL)
Application Deadline: 12:00am – Sun 2nd May, 2021
Read More »

SportEd Mental Health Resources

The information below was recently compiled and shared by Sported – they describe themselves as “the UK’s largest network of community groups supporting half a million young people to overcome barriers to reach their full potential.” You can visit their website here.

We’re excited to launch Time In Mind, our newest projectto help you support your young participants’ wellbeing with a series of free training sessions.

With 1 in 6 young people experiencing mental health problems in the UK, we want to enable you to promote good mental health and maintain your participants’ wellbeing.

50% of groups who have taken part in Sported consultations since the pandemic began have told us that maintaining the wellbeing of their participants is one of their main concerns and expressed the need for more support in this area as they begin to move forward out of the pandemic. 

Using the money donated from The Times and Sunday Times Christmas Charity Appeal, we’re kicking off the project by running a series of Youth Mental Health First Aid Awareness Workshops delivered with StreetGames. The first two will be taking place during Mental Health Awareness Week (10th – 16th May 2021). 

The series of workshops are FREE for Sported members and we hope you can join us to improve the mental health of young people through sport.

Youth First Aid Awareness Workshops 

Tuesday 11th May, 10am – 1pm OR Thursday 13th May, 1pm – 4pm

Delivered by our friends at StreetGames, this FREE three-hour session raises awareness of young people’s mental health. The session will cover:

  • Some of the common mental health issues affecting young people, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and psychosis
  • Skills to work more effectively with young people living with mental health issues
  • Ways to support young people with a mental health issue and relate to their experiences

Along with the workshop, you will get a manual to keep and refer to whenever you need it, and upon completion, you will also get a certificate to confirm you are Youth Mental Health Aware.

Book now on Your Sported Network or e-mail events@sported.org.uk

Additional dates for this training will be released in due course.

My Club and Mental Health – Free online training

The mental health charity TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues) has a free e-module that all members can access. Working to raise awareness of mental health and resilience within grassroots sports groups, they have developed this training to cover a basic introduction to:

  • What is Mental Health
  • Signs to look out for amongst your young participants
  • Looking after your mental health

Access the training on their website.

Mental Health resources

Our team has collated a list of useful websites, resources and apps with information about supporting yourself, and your young people’s wellbeing. 

Please do have a look and pass anything you think is useful on to your participants. 

Download the list here. 

Yorkshire Sport Foundation Newsletter

  
  

New Office for Health Promotion to drive improvement of nation’s health
Find out more

The new Office for Health Promotion will lead national efforts to improve and level up the health of the nation by tackling obesity, improving mental health and promoting physical activity.
The Office will recruit an expert lead who will report jointly into the Health Secretary and the Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty. The Office’s remit will be to systematically tackle the top preventable risk factors causing death and ill health in the UK, by designing, implementing and tracking delivery policy across government. It will bring together a range of skills to lead a new era of public health polices, leveraging modern digital tools, data and delivery experts.
The Office for Health Promotion will be established by the autumn.
  

  

Beat the Street physical activity game is coming to Sheffield
Find out more

The Beat the Street game is set to launch in Sheffield and will take place from Wednesday 16 June to Wednesday 28 July.
Beat the Street is a free, interactive challenge that encourages people of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives by turning the city into a six-week game. The game is outdoors, completely contactless and players take part in their family groups or support bubbles, so has been approved by Public Health England as COVID safe.
Participants are encouraged to walk, cycle, run, wheel or scoot as far as possible within the local area, with prizes of sports or book vouchers for the teams that clock up the highest number of miles. Sheffield follows South Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley and Rotherham in taking part in Beat the Street this year.
  

  

How do we get Yorkshire and Humber active?
Have your say

There is just over a week to submit evidence to Policy Yorkshire on how to support people to become more active and access sport across the region as part of its recovery from the pandemic.
Policy Yorkshire is the think tank for the Yorkshire and Humber region and the Physical Activity Policy Group is particularly interested in what actions around sport and physical activity are needed to help the region recover from the COVID pandemic and also contribute to the Government’s ambition of levelling up the country.
Submissions can be made up to 5pm on Friday 16 April at policyyorkshire.org
  

  

You’re hearing from us, now we want to hear from you!
Tell us what you think

At Yorkshire Sport Foundation, we want to make sure the content you receive from us is relevant.
We share news, updates and best practice from across the sector in this newsletter, on our website, social media channels and The YSF Podcast.
We’d appreciate your input on what you’d like to hear more of, and how you want to receive it.
Please take a couple of minutes to take part in our survey, which will remain open until 5pm on Friday 30 April.
  

  

News in brief
  
Kick-start for summer school and activities
£200 million total summer school funding to be distributed in secondary schools. Find out more…
Kirklees school leads the way to healthier choices
Linthwaite Ardron CE (VA) Junior and Infant School, have been presented with the Modeshift STARS Bronze standard for their commitment to sustainable travel. Find out more…
#ClubsInCrisis Fund opens on Monday 12 April
The fund will provide over £4million worth of funding to grassroots clubs and organisations. Find out more…

StreetGames supports the ‘quiet frontline’
A major fundraising drive by StreetGames raised nearly £4million for local community sport organisations over the course of the Coronavirus pandemic. Find out more…
Initiative launched to find new ways to overcome inequalities in physical activity
People with great ideas to tackle inequalities in physical activity are being invited to apply to Ideas to Action – a new programme delivered by Design Council, supported by Sport England and funded by the National Lottery. Find out more…
Podcast: Returning to sport safely
The Ann Craft Trust talk about ways in which organisations can help their members return to play as we prepare to move out of lockdown once again. Find out more…
Huddersfield Giants Community Trust prepare to Offload
Offload is Rugby League Cares acclaimed men’s mental fitness project which allows men to engage with current and former players to learn the techniques clubs use to manage players’ mental and physical fitness. Find out more…
  


  
Jobs

 
Health and Wellbeing Lead
Organisation: Sheffield United Community Foundation
Application Deadline: 5:00pm – Thu 8th April, 2021
Read More »


 
Diverse Communities Engagement Officer
Application Deadline: 12:00am – Fri 9th April, 2021
Read More »


 
Service Manager – Physical Activity Sports & Health
Organisation: Sheffield City Council
Application Deadline: 12:00am – Sun 11th April, 2021
Read More »
See all Jobs >
  


  
Do you have a story for The YSF Weekly?
Email it to andy.morgan@yorkshiresport.org
Reading this online or sent by a colleague?
Sign up for our newsletter here
  
  
  
  
News in brief  
  

Yorkshire Sport Foundation Newsletter

Sporting Equals launch #EndBAME campaignFind out more
Sporting Equals have launched the #EndBAME campaign at an event on race equality and the state of the UK sport sector.The charity conducted a terminologies in sport survey last year, which revealed different communities preferred a more specific definition than the widely-used term BAME, which stands for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.They have since released a terminology resource and spoken to us about it on The YSF Podcast.  
  
Support workers vital in tackling inactivity for people with complex disabilitiesFind out more

A report published by the disability charity, Sense, has highlighted the role support workers play in getting people with complex disabilities physically active.Released in partnership with Traverse and Sport England, the new report: ‘Support Workers: attitudes, approaches and barriers to helping people with complex disabilities engage in sport and physical activity’, contains analysis of the experience of support workers, which it recognises as “playing a critical role in encouraging, informing and helping adults with complex disabilities to access sport and physical activity.”  
  
How do we get Yorkshire and Humber active?Have your say
Policy Yorkshire, the think tank for the Yorkshire and Humber region, is calling for evidence on how to support people to become more active and access sport across the region as part of its recovery from the pandemic.The Physical Activity Policy Group is particularly interested in what actions around sport and physical activity are needed to help the region recover from the COVID pandemic and also contribute to the Government’s ambition of levelling up the country.Submissions can be made up to 5pm on Friday 16 April at policyyorkshire.org  
  
OpenActive webinar for local authoritiesWatch the webinar
Research from Sport England shows that one fifth of adults have been put off doing a physical activity because it was too difficult to find or book online.OpenActive is a community-led initiative to help people in England get active using open data.OpenActive recently hosted a webinar for anyone working at a local authority who is looking to increase participation in physical activity in their area and who wants to explore the role of data to support this. The webinar is now available to watch on YouTube.  
  
News in brief  
UK Coaching driving its digital future with brand change and office move
UK Coaching is moving offices to the centre of Leeds as part of its aspiration to become a more digital organisation and meet the changing needs of coaches. Find out more…

The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards
The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are for people who make a positive difference. Find out more…

Blog: Why social prescribing is needed more than everA blog from James Watmough, Pilots and priority places manager at Sport England. Read the blog…

#WeWill campaign to raise awareness of safety fears of female runners
The #WeWill collective is a campaign focused on the positive actions men and women can take to enable women to ‘run free from fear, to be safe, and to feel safe in every part of their lives’. Find out more…

AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Leeds routes announced
With a packed weekend of action on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June, British Triathlon have released the confirmed routes for all races on offer. Find out more…

Transformational plans for sustainable travel in Attercliffe and Darnall
This latest sets of plans are part of Connecting Sheffield, a project focused on improving active travel infrastructure in Sheffield. Find out more…

Panthers to Deliver Offload Mental Health Programme

Rugby League Cares is delighted to announce that Offload, its hugely successful men’s mental fitness programme, is coming to Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield.

Offload is already being delivered at six professional Rugby League clubs, Featherstone Rovers, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Salford Red Devils, Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings who will be joined by Bradford Bulls, Halifax Panthers and Huddersfield Giants.

The programme is a free 10-week course of one-hour fixtures designed to equip men with the skills, tools and techniques needed to manage their own mental health and provide help for others.

Offload fixtures usually take place at the host club’s stadium and are led by former Rugby League players, who share their own life experiences in dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and other challenging situations.

The presenters include ex-internationals Keith Senior, Lee Crooks, Paul Wood, Robbie Hunter-Paul, Johnny Lawless, Shaun Lunt, Paul Broadbent and Kevin Larroyer.

RL Cares Head of Community Emma Goldsmith said: “We are thrilled that Bradford Bulls, Halifax Panthers and Huddersfield Giants have joined the expanding Offload family and are looking forward to enhancing the lives of men across Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.

“Offload is proven to work: since 2017, more than 2,500 men have taken part in Offload and taken away lots of advice and insights that have helped turn their lives around.

“Offload has a fantastic ability to not just change lives, but to save lives as well. The fixtures are a great way for men who may be struggling, or who know someone who is having a tough time, to tackle sensitive issues in an engaging, fun and confidential way.”

The delivery of Offload in Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield has been made possible with support from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

Paul Mitchell, Head of Foundation at the Bradford Bulls Foundation, said: “Many, many people are struggling with the pressures of Covid and more will do so in the aftermath.  Mental fitness has always been critical but now, more than ever, we need to do as much as we can to provide support to those who need it.

“Whether you’re struggling due to unemployment, lack of social contact or financial problems, or just need an outlet beyond the four walls at home, we’re here for you.  The Bulls Foundation is proud to support the wellbeing of the people of Bradford through our delivery of the fantastic Offload programme.

“We hope to make a positive difference for the men who take part and we will provide long term support for their overall fitness and wellbeing.”

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust Head of Sport Dan Wilczynski said: “Being given the opportunity to deliver such an important project like Offload is magnificent for both the trust and the area of Kirklees.

“We are all extremely excited to see this programme start to make a difference to men within our community.

“With Offload we have a really great opportunity to tackle mental fitness and make a positive change.”

Chris Mitchell, Project Lead at Halifax Panthers Foundation, said: “We’re looking forward to working with RL Cares to deliver this fantastic programme to men in Halifax and across Calderdale.

“Our involvement in Offload builds on the success we had with Back Onside, which helped men tackle their physical health.  It’s just as important for everyone to look after their mental fitness and Offload has an important part to play in that.”

For more information on Offload and Rugby League Cares, including contact details for Offload at Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield, please visit HERE

For more information about the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, please visit HERE

Keep March-ing on! Sported Newsletter

With the end of March approaching, we’re looking forward to longer (and hopefully warmer) days ahead, and with the possibility of some of you returning to face-to-face sessions soon, we can definitely celebrate the little wins. 

Thank you to those who filled in our Community Pulse 2021 survey. You can read a full summary on our website as well as how we’re moving forward to help you. In other exciting Sported news, we announced an exciting partnership with Always for their #FuelHerFuture campaign. Have you spotted us in their TV advert yet?

This month’s newsletter includes:Latest member webinars The Physical Return resources and government road map informationYour chance to tell us how we did this yearAn opportunity to get your hands on some free cycling helmetsHelpful links and information from our friends and other sports organisationsVisit Your Sported Network for downloadable guides, videos, and recorded webinars, and get involved in the Sported Member Facebook Group where we post up-to-date information, new funding opportunities, and additional resources.

Don’t forget to share with us on Twitter and Instagram your plans for April, we would love to see them!

The Sported Team
How did we do this year?

As we come to the end of our year, (we go April to March) we’d love to know how you’ve found being a Sported member

How satisfied are you with your Sported membership? 

Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neither satisfied nor unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied


On a scale of 1-10, how likely would you be to recommend Sported to a friend or colleague?
lowest 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   highest
Sport England Return to Play Funding Information session

Thursday 25th March 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Join us for a session that will look at funding being offered by Sport England focussing specifically on Return to Play:

•    Small Grants capital/revenue awards 
•    Community Asset Fund – Capital awards 
•    Active Together Crowdfunding

Come and find out if you are eligible and how we can help you. Find out more about the Return to Play funds here.
Book now on Your Sported Network or e-mail events@sported.org.uk
Trans Day of Visibility Event – The History and The Future of Inclusive Sport

Tuesday 30th March 6pm – 7pm

Join Sported volunteer, Pauline Weddell and Ellie from Essential Learning Curve on the eve of Trans Day of Visibility.

We’ll be covering:

– Trans history and trans sport stars of the past
– Current issues and solutions routes
– Obstacles and access to engagement with practical tips and solutions for you to use with your organisation. There will also be a time for Q&A
Book now on Your Sported Network or e-mail events@sported.org.uk
Leadership TeamsA Sport England Club Matters workshop in partnership with Sported
Wednesday 14th April, 6pm – 8pm

Do you have the right committee structure? In this session we will explore how your group can be structured to not only effectively run the organisation, but also plan for the future. The workshop also looks at how you make sure the right people are in the right roles to take the organisation forward.

We will cover:- Reviewing your leadership structure

– Identify the key principles of an excellent leadership team

– Identify methods on how to achieve an excellent leadership team for your club

– Develop an action plan to improve their club leadership

Book now on Your Sported Network or e-mail events@sported.org.ukPlanning for your post COVID future
Date TBCWe know that it’s been impossible to plan over the past year and, even though there is now light at the end of the tunnel, it’s hard to know how to move forward.

Join Sported volunteer, Jocelyn Parkes who will help you think about:- What you want to achieve this year, for the next 2- 3 years and long term

– Setting aims and objectives that will enable you to deliver the impact you want to make – not just outputs

And how to get it down on paper in a way that you will be able to use on a day-to-day basis to help you achieve those goals.

Register your interest by e-mailing events@sported.org.uk
Preparing for The Physical Return

For some of you, from the 29th March, you can restart outdoor organised sessions with your participants. If you’re planning on beginning your face-to-face sessions again, we’ve put together a list of information, including:Current government guidelines and links to the current government road mapHelpful links from National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Sport England to help you prepareOur ‘The Physical Return’ checklist, social media graphics and Capture Everything guide. Head over to Your Sported Network to download the sheet.
Download the Capture Everything How-to guide for Social MediaDownload The Physical Return Checklist
Last month we told you that we’d started on the build for a new portal for Sported members. It will be easier to navigate so you can find the things you need, to discover all the services and benefits you can access with your FREE Sported membership, and to discuss issues with other members and volunteers.

We’re almost ready to start asking for feedback so if you’d like to have your views heard, please drop us an email ASAP.

We think we’ve also come up with a great new name: The Sported Hub

What do you think? Love it! Great name Meh. Your Sported Network is better I have a much better idea, let me tell you about it

Would free cycle helmets help you deliver in your community?

Lazer – one of the oldest helmet manufacturers in the world – is offering Sported members free cycling helmets. For every 10 helmets registered in the UK between March 1st and the May 31st 2021 Lazer will donate a Compact helmet to Sported. Read more here. The helmets are unisex and fully adjustable in size for people 8+.

We’re specifically looking to support you if you plan, or would like to, to deliver cycling activities to young people in your community post lockdown and this would enable you to do so.

How do we get them?
 
Email membership@sported.org.uk and tell us a little about how you would use the helmets to help young people in your community (around 50 words) and how many you’d like (min 10 and max 30) by Thursday 25th March.

Behind the Line: Sébastien Bechara

Welcome to Behind the Line. A series of in-depth interviews (on the Rugby League World Cup website) that will delve into the careers and personalities of the elite athletes who aim to represent their nations with pride at Rugby League World Cup 2021.

This week, England Wheelchair international, Sébastien Bechara, talks to us about his journey into wheelchair Rugby League, friendly rivalry between teammates and discusses his nation’s opponents at RLWC2021.

A motorbike accident in July 2012 resulted in Bechara becoming a right leg below the knee amputee. It was in a moment during his recovery, that the 27-year-old decided to dedicate his time to become a star within the wheelchair game.

“I remember it was in July 2012, which was what nine years ago now,” explains Bechara. “The period of the London Paralympics. They were just starting, and I remember being in my hospital room back then watching the Paralympics start and thinking – right, that’s where I’m going to be in four years’ time.”

“I started working hard on my recovery and then was going from [one] rehab centre to the other. I finally got into the final rehab centre, where it had all sorts of facilities.

“I started playing some wheelchair basketball to start having some fun, and I thought at the time, I was an absolute beast in the wheelchair. So fast and agile. Of course, I was just playing with other patients who were just learning [to use] a wheelchair and weren’t used to playing sports.”

Though wheelchair basketball provided Bechara with an output during rehab, it was a chance encounter with a former France captain that helped him discover his true calling.

“One day, I met Cyril Torres, who was the current captain of France wheelchair Rugby League team,” Bechara stated. “He watched me play and invited me over to try wheelchair Rugby League at Catalans Dragons. When I started training with them, that’s when I realised how bad I was.”

“Back then at Catalans, four of the players I was playing with went off to the 2013 World Cup in Medway, England, and they were crowned world champions,” Bechara explains. “I was learning from the best at the time, which helped me progress really quickly.”

Now a fully-fledged Catalans Dragons representative, the England international is excited by the potential of a match-up against some of his club teammates at RLWC2021.

“Of course, who wouldn’t enjoy some rivalry in competition?”

“It’s a crazy feeling; actually, you see them three or four times a week, sometimes train with them, play with them, you have drinks with them, they’re like brothers to me.”

“Rugby teammates are a very special thing, but when it comes to the most important game of your life, suddenly playing against them, that’s a game where you’ll do absolutely anything to win.”

Born in Nottingham, the former Leeds Rhinos and Halifax representative moved to France at the age of ten. However, he takes great pride in representing his country of birth.

“Who wouldn’t feel proud about being able to represent your country? I mean, it’s that feeling of putting your England top on and going out on the pitch and screaming out the national anthem.

“We have a team manager, Martin Coy, that’s always behind you during the national anthem and halfway through always screams ‘louder!'”

“Honesty, it’s hard to get to the end of the anthem without ending up in tears.”

With this year’s tournament edging closer, Bechara has already started to weigh-up his opponents ahead of their fixtures at RLWC2021.

“The Spanish captain is actually a club teammate from Catalans Dragons, so expect some great brotherly rivalry there,” Bechara said. “I’m really expecting them to show that they’ve acquired a lot of experience in the last four years, and I’m sure they will be fighting for a spot in the semi-finals.”

“Australia have always been a very strong side,” Bechara explains. “I expect them to be in great form and be a huge challenge. That’s actually our opening game, so we’ll have to turn up and just give it everything straight away from game one.”

“Norway are a really tough one because I have actually no clue what to expect. I’ve never seen them play as a country,” Bechara states. “I trust them to turn up with a team that’s ready to fight for a win.”

Although Bechara may have begun to focus on his opponents, ultimately, he is aware that the main focus remains on one single goal – greatness.

“Alongside my England teammates, we’re just aiming for nothing else than being world champions. We’ve got the capabilities, the work ethic; we have the players in-depth now [and] we’ve got the staff to support.”

“We have everything now to get there. I think we’ll get to the final, so we can finally pick up that World Cup trophy; that’s what we’re aiming to achieve.”

After heartbreak in the 2017 final, the England international is determined to not suffer the same fate this time around. With home advantage, Bechara hopes to fulfil a dream of representing his country at London’s iconic Copper Box Arena.

“It’s actually a dream come true,” Bechara said. “To be able to play in the Copper Box Arena that can hold up to 7400 spectators, I’ve played in crowds where there was maybe 3000 people and it’s absolutely mad.”

“We need them; we need you England, not only for them to discover the greatest sport on earth but also to support your country,” Bechara explains. “Show the other nations that this is England, this is our home, and no one is coming here to grab the trophy.

“We need thousands of English people there shouting and supporting us; showing us that they’re there for us and they’re supporting us on the road to a World Cup victory.”

Don’t miss your chance to see England Wheelchair in action. Sign-up for ticket alerts today and we’ll add an ‘on sale’ event to your diary when our general sale dates are announced.

Yorkshire Sport Foundation Newsletter

Sport England update FAQs on return to play

Find out more

Sport England, in consultation with DCMS, have answered some of the most common questions providers have regarding the return to play, in line with the Government road map.

The updated page now takes into consideration changes proposed for Monday 29 March and what that means for those providing sport and activity for communities.

A test and learn approach to systems change

Find out more

Sport England, in partnership with the Chief Cultural Leisure Officers Association (CLOA), has launched a new resource, ‘Navigating Local Systems’, which shares learning and practical tools from three localities – including Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Place-based system change is an increasingly important conversation, particularly as planning begins for the implementation of ‘Uniting The Movement’. There is a growing interest from places wanting to take a systemic approach to tackle inactivity and the inequalities that still exist.

Do you have a story to share?

Submit your story

The Mind Sport and Activity Network for Yorkshire and Humber are seeking stories of the role sport and activity has played in supporting good mental health.

We know that organisations across the region have used the power of sport and activity to have a positive impact on the mental health of people throughout the county, and the Network want to celebrate these in a series of videos that will be unbranded and available for everyone to use.

You don’t need to have a case study written up, simply complete a short online form by 12pm on Thursday 25 March for the story to be considered.

Female role model posters sent to primary schools for free

Find out more

Social enterprise company, Totally Runable Ltd, are putting inspiring posters featuring real life female athletes in front of over 355,000 school pupils from as part of their ‘Role Models’ campaign.

The project aims to redress that balance and close what Totally Runable Ltd call the ‘Gender Sport Gap’ in primary schools.

With funding from Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Persimmon Homes, and a successful crowdfunder fundraising campaign, the first round of posters is being sent to every primary school in West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, as well as all 200 schools who are part of Totally Runable’s ‘Girls and Sport Pledge’.

Policy Yorkshire call for evidence
A call for evidence on how to support people to become more active and access sport across the region as part of its recovery from the pandemic. Find out more…

Mind Sport and Activity Network for Yorkshire and Humber – Event handbook
Featuring the keynote from Matthew Hoggard MBE, a Q&A session with an expert panel, and all four workshops. Download the handbook…

Beat the Street coming to South Yorkshire
The popular physical activity game will take place in Rotherham for the first time, and return to Barnsley after a successful campaign in 2019.

New campaign is launched to ‘Get Doncaster Moving’
The first phase of the campaign focuses on walking as a free, accessible activity that can be done at any time of year, including during lockdown. Find out more…

Further steps to improve active travel launched for Sheffield
The latest proposals reveal plans for safer cycling and better walking routes. Find out more…

Game On: Football Foundation launches new funds to get football ready for kick-off
More than £16m made available for grassroots football. Find out more…

Get Doncaster Moving launch survey
Get Doncaster Moving want to understand the progress they and Doncaster’s Network of partners are making to tackle inactivity. Find out more…

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition Sciences)

Application Deadline: 12:00am – Mon 22nd March, 2021

Read More »

Schools and Sports Participation Manager

Organisation: Rotherham United Community Sport Trust

Application Deadline: 12:00am – Fri 26th March, 2021

Read More »

Casual Multi-Sport Coaches

Application Deadline: 12:00am – Wed 31st March, 2021

Read More »

Swimming Instructor

Organisation: Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL)

Application Deadline: 12:00am – Wed 31st March, 2021

Read More »See all Jobs >

Do you have a story for The YSF Weekly?
Email it to andy.morgan@yorkshiresport.org

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