October Newsletter | Can Community Sport Help Prevent Virus Spread?

Welcome to our October newsletter, 

If you're new to our newsletter, please take a little time to look through the resources, funding information and news we share throughout on a monthly basis.  

In this month's edition, we share an opinion piece that examines how community sport may have a part to play in tackling the spread of COVID-19 . We also look at how organisations can ensure relilience in the face of the pandemic; plus news of a joint project between the SFA and Zero Waste Scotland aiming to reduce energy costs for clubs.

One of the articles of interest this month is a reminder of the importance of thinking ahead. The challenges of the pandemic are unprecedented, not only for sport but for all of society. With this in mind, it is more important than ever to ensure that clubs are looking forwards and making decisions that are in the long term interest of their organisation.

As always, please do get in touch if we can help the development of your club via our services, including support with club lotteries, incorporation, community asset transfers, gift aid, membership and payment systems and more. 

Best wishes,

The CDS Team

Funding

Here are some funding opportunities your club may want to consider applying to. If you're looking for support with your fundraising, get in touch.

Resources

News, Ideas & Opinions

Here's a selection of stories from our world and beyond that might give your club some ideas for new activities or programmes.

Can Community Sport Help Prevent Virus Spread?

One of Scottish rugby’s leading club coaches has called for the Scottish Government to grasp the ability of community sport to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

In an article published today (Friday 25 September) by The Offside Line, journalist David Barnes interviewed Mark Cairns, head coach of the Currie Chieftains. The Edinburgh club has developed one of the most successful youth academies in the past 20 years and, in the week that the RFU postponed the return of community rugby in England until January, Cairns explained how that could worsen the coronavirus by sending lots of disillusioned youngsters with little to do and no focus to their spare time. Instead, he said, the recent return to training had brought a new discipline to teenagers and ability to guide them through Covid-19 rules.

Find out more here.

Time for some R&R: Realism and Resilience

Not many organisations could have predicted the emergence of a global pandemic in their lifetime – some though, would have prepared.

The British Standards Institution defines organisational resilience as “the ability of an organisation to anticipate, prepare for, respond and adapt to incremental change and sudden disruptions in order to survive and prosper.”

In recent times, we have seen a demanding need for organisational resilience, and realistically, it is up to the board to execute this.

Find out more here. 

Scottish FA and Zero Waste Scotland aim to reduce energy costs for clubs

The Scottish FA and Zero Waste Scotland have teamed up to offer free environmental support to football clubs across the country, in a move that could save clubs thousands of pounds every year.

By receiving guidance to help identify ways of reducing energy, recycling, water and waste management costs, football clubs could benefit from a financial lifeline, whilst becoming more eco-friendly through the reduction of operational carbon emissions.

Services

Testimonials

“From the first contact between us as a Club and Club Development Scotland to the end, the advice, information, and service was superb. We can’t speak highly enough of the team and would have no concerns in recommending Club Development Scotland to other clubs and associations. If required, we will certainly be going back.”

– Calum Doctor, Chairman, Kennoway Star Hearts FC