Step into Sport is an exciting programme which encourages young people (between 14 and 19 years of age) to become involved with sport in their local community.

Step into Sport provides a pathway for young people who want a rewarding, valuable volunteering experience to put their talents and enthusiasm to good use.  Step into Sport is led by Sport England, Sports Leaders UK (formerly the British Sports Trust) and the Youth Sports Trust.

Over 48,000 young people will be enrolled in the scheme over a two year period through the schools partnership network based around the Government’s Sport and Education Action Zones. Many of the young people will have taken part in and achieved sports leadership awards such as the Junior Sports Leaders Awards (JSLA) and the Community Sports Leaders Awards (CSLA) prior to joining the community volunteering section of the programme.

Community volunteering is when the young person commits themselves to taking a voluntary placement at a local sports club or association. They will be placed in a club that has been identified by the County Sports Partnership and which has all the necessary structures in place to receive and support young volunteers.

What do Rugby Clubs need to do to get involved?

Step into Sport is an exciting initiative, but it is important that the young people involved receive a good experience, in a quality environment, carrying out roles which are relevant to them. Therefore, the initial step to becoming involved is to make sure that your organisation meets the minimum criteria:

·         You must have and adhere to the RFU/RFUW Child Protection Policy including the procedures relating to CRB checks.

·         Coaches must have suitable qualifications.

·         You must have a volunteer coordinator who will be responsible for supporting the volunteers

·         You must have clear ideas of the roles the Step into Sport volunteers would undertake (See the section What can we ask a Step into Sport Volunteer to do? for ideas)

·         Your club must have achieved or be actively working towards RFU Seal of Approval.

What can we ask a Step into Sport Volunteer to do?

There are many different roles they young volunteers may wish to do. The following list is designed to give you some ideas and is by no means exhaustive – in fact, it’s just a starting point!

After School Club Support and After School Club Assistant Coach

·         Help to organise the participants

·         Help to set up the venue

·         Assist the coach, perhaps running a session (under supervision)

·         Take the register

·         Act as a mentor

Extra-club activity assistant

·         Helping at holiday activities

·         Assisting at festivals

·         Volunteering at tournaments

IT work

·         Website development and maintenance

·         Database construction and maintenance

·         Email links

·         Offer training to others

Event organiser

·         Run a mini festival

·         Pre-match entertainment

Videographer

·         Film games (with permission) for coaching and analysis purposes

·         Produce a promotional video for a club

Fundraiser

·         Organise prize draws

·         Events such as discos, race nights etc

·         Sponsored events

·         Organise bag packing sessions at the local supermarket

Match Day Liaison

·         Meet and greet the teams

·         Welcome the referees

·         Prepare the changing rooms prior to the match ~ hang the kits etc

·         Sell programmes

Pre-match preparation

·         Put out the flags

·         Place the post protectors

·         Check the first aid room is prepared and stocked

·         Everything is where it’s supposed to be

Match Programme Production

·         Get the team lists

·         Write articles

·         Contact the away club for information they may want including

·         Sell advertising space

·         Arrange the layout

·         Make sure it gets to and from the printers on time

How do we get involved?

If your club or organisation is interested in getting involved with the Step into Sport scheme and can meet the criteria as laid out in What do we need to get involved?, contact your local Rugby Development Officer to put you in touch with the County Sports Partnership for your area.