Ben Harper Senior Sports Manager Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Tel: Mobile: Case Study Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury hold at least two Sportivate projects every year Activity: Rowing Duration: 8 weeks of 2 hour coached sessions Participants: Around 20 per session from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College Attendance: 85-90% Retention: 6/20 (the majority go to university after college, their objectives are to engage participant’s in the sport rather than at the club) Exit Routes: Men’s and women’s adult squads, continued weekly sessions and competition’s Recruitment Links with Shrewsbury College have shaped the projects. The college’s Sports Coordinator makes a huge contribution to the projects, often it is their enthusiasm which helps get the participants enthusiastic and engaged. Club members promote the session at the college open day which usually results in them being oversubscribed. The sessions are held on Wednesday afternoons because this is the student’s allocated sports activity time. They also have links with Severndale Specialist and Belvidere Secondary Schools. Funding The funding is used on equipment, qualifications or coaches time which directly benefits this age group. Some is also allocated to the wear and tear of facilities and equipment. Sportivate creates a continuous influx of participants into the club and some participants have achieved personal success in rowing. Their aim is to engage young people in the sport, rather than the club, because of the transitionary nature of their lives during this period. Pengwern continue to use the Sportivate programme because it provides funding for their coaches (rowing is a very demanding sport at this early stage, requiring ratio of 1:4 coaches to participants) and because they enjoy running the projects with Shrewsbury College – the students are enthusiastic so it feels worth while! What is it? 6-8 weeks of sports sessions, with exit routes to sustain long-term participation Sportivate is a tool to help spark a young person’s interest in getting more physically active. Sportivate projects are delivered and supported by local exit routes (clubs, local coaches or delivered in local facilities) for that active it helping those involved to feel more confident to continue the sport/activity after the project. Who is it aimed at? Sportivate is aimed at anyone between the ages of 11-25, however a particular focus is placed on projects aimed at women and girls, those aged 19+ or projects with an inclusive element (Open to all levels of ability). What are the intended outcomes? Sportivate aims to get young people (11-25) more active and a provide a positive start in forming the habit of being involved with more physically active. Who can apply? Sportivate is open to all!! In the past projects have been led a huge range of providers (from sport and non- sporting organisations and individuals). The main requirement is that you have recognised the demand for a project and can show how your intervention will have a positive effect on the group / area you are targeting.