West London Athletics Network

Network Name	West London Athletics Network
Start Date	January 2010
Clubs in Network	Ealing Southall and Middlesex AC (Bob Densley) Harrow AC (Tony Bush) Hillingdon AC (Paul Cuddihy) Queens Park Harriers (Bill O’Connor/Brendan Greene) Thames Valley Harriers (Pat Fitzgerald) West London Hammer School (Jamie Bath)
Other Partners	Pro Active West London (Mark Burgess) London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea & Westminster School Sports Partnerships
Network Chair/ Contact	Chair - Tony Randall: randall-online@tiscali.co.uk Athletics Development Officer - Larry Achike: onochie75@hotmail.com CCSO - Neil Deans: ndeans@englandathletics.org
Aims	Our vision is to develop the six clubs so that they provide sustained top quality initiation, coaching and the best possible development opportunities for enjoyment and achievement in athletics for people of all abilities and ages, including the disabled, linked with athletics occupying the highest position in schools and other sections of the local community. We would be most willing in the future to involve other local clubs who share our vision if this is appropriate for them. The Network will concentrate on achieving radical improvements to the clubs and organisations within the network in two principal areas. The provision of coaching. The structure, operation and sharing of best practice between the clubs.
Key Projects	1. Coaching The Network will oversee a major overhaul in the quality and capacity of coaching provided at our operating centres. With the support of our CCSO (through the local and national coach development programmes) and paid part time coordinator, a Coach Development Action Plan will be prepared to address the development needs of existing and new coaches across the network. We believe for each centre to function to its optimum we must provide a minimum of 4 coaches per event group per centre with an ultimate objective of achieving 6 coaches per event group per centre. This structure of 6 coaches per event group for each centre should comprise of 3 level 1 coaches, 2 level 2 coaches and 1 level 3 coach. In addition to recruitment and training the Network will endeavour to: Create and develop coaching provision for local schools and the community. Deploy coaches to where they will be most effective. Focus on a clear Athlete Development Pathway supported by appropriate opportunities for competition. Develop support for coaches in Physiotherapy and Strength & Conditioning training. Aim to encourage growing participation in 9 to 16 year olds and continued involvement from 16 to 19 year olds Year One Key Coaching Actions 1. Complete full audit of numbers, qualifications, experience and skills of existing coaches 2. Develop existing coaches Upskill 15 coaches (3 at each track covered by network) 3. Recruit and train new coaches. First year target. 15 new coaches (3 at each track covered by network) 4. Maximise existing coaching resources across other WLMAN clubs. 5. Develop a coaching team to cover all events across the WLMAN clubs 6. Maximise use of specialist club West London Hammer School 7. Develop local community/schools coaching capacity. 2. Club & Athletics Development The Network intends to improve the efficiency and attractiveness of the member clubs with a view to recruiting and retaining more members. Our aim overall is to make athletics attractive to the local community, potential athletes and prospective sponsors. To achieve better membership recruitment the network will concentrate on: Branding and Promotion of the Network and constituent clubs. Improving the clubs websites. Maximise the use of the West London Network page on the England Athletics website. Local advertising and marketing of the clubs, leafleting and mailshots. The Network will aim to raise the quality of a number of important aspects of day to day administration. To improve the reception of new athletes. To extend the clubs influence in schools, colleges and universities. To improve clubs external links with other key partners To improve the quality of competition in the area including the promotion of Open Meetings. To actively encourage volunteers into Officiating, Team Management and club administration To develop known areas of lack of strength. To strengthen the welfare and social aspects of each club. Year One Club and Athletics Development Key Actions 1. Appoint Part time Network Coordinator 2. Develop Club Infrastructures and image in the community. 3. Improve Membership recruitment 4. Improve Network links with external partners 5. Review suitability of competition and develop as necessary 6. Maximise use of existing facilities

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