BCU & Clubmark

Knottingley Canoe Club is affiliated with Canoe England and the British Canoe Union.

In order to further improve the quality of the paddling experience for all at our club we are working closely with Canoe England towards gaining Clubmark accreditation.

About BCU

Set up in 1936 to send a team to the Berlin Olympics, the British Canoe Union (BCU) is the lead body for canoeing and kayaking in the UK. Since then the organisation has grown considerably, and the range of canoeing opportunity has increased tremendously.

The BCU is the umbrella organisation for Canoe England, Canoe Wales, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland and the Scottish Canoeing Association.

Further details of the BCU can be found at: http://www.bcu.org.uk

About Canoe England

Canoe England is the English home association of the British Canoe Union (BCU) and the membership body for canoeists, clubs, centres and associates within England.

Further details of Canoe England can be found at: http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/

About Clubmark

Sport England recognises and values the commitment made by sports clubs to develop high quality, welcoming environments for young participants. The development of clubs that encourage young people to take-up sport, improve their talents, possibly play a leadership role and give them the option to initiate and maintain life-long participation in sport is an essential part of supporting the sporting infrastructure in England.

Clubmark was introduced in 2002 by Sport England to:

  • Ensure that accrediting partners apply core common criteria to ensure that consistent good practice and minimum operating standards are delivered through all club development and accreditation schemes.
  • To empower parent(s)/carer(s) when choosing a club for their children.
  • To ensure that Clubmark accredited clubs are recognised through a common approach to branding.
  • To provide a focus around which all organisations involved in sport can come together to support good practice in sports clubs working with children and young people.

Clubmark accreditation is awarded to clubs that comply with minimum operating standards in four areas:

  • The playing programme
  • Duty of care and safeguarding and protecting children and young people
  • Knowing your club and its community
  • Club management

Further details of the Clubmark scheme can be found at: www.clubmark.org.uk